ADHD, statement? How much support?

[clare40]

If your child has ADHD, did you get a statement? Also how much support does yr dc get at school? How does school help him/her?

My child has ADHD and autism. He was diagnosed with autism at age 3.11 and ADHD 3 months ago. He has a statement - 32.5 hours a week plus 10 hours in holiday as they are funding ABA.

DS has just started mainstream having been in special school for Reception and Year 1. As he was coming out of special school it was our LEA's policy that he automatically got 32.5 hours a week 1:1.

I guess it depends how severe your child's ADHD is and how it affects me. My DS has severe ADHD and is medicated.

I suspect mild as he sleeps well, can concentrate on a book, and sits at the table during meal times. However.....he is incredibly hyper most of the time. He has just gone into yr1 and I think it's s matter of time before the school stops putting it down to immaturity. He needs pretty much constant support to stay focused. My question is if it is classed as mild will he get any additional support? I only want a dx if it leads to additional support!

As it seems the Government are cutting support I would get in as soon as you can. Go for a diagnosis and apply for a Statement yourself (use the IPSEA website for information). If he needs support all the time to stay focused it isn't that mild. Does the school provide support already?

But how can I get a dx if the school (is currently) saying it's immaturity?

You can still ask to be referred by your GP to a suitable paediatrician (here Community Paed, but in some places has different title). Although what the school says has some bearing they cannot make a diagnosis. My DS has AS and we had reports from school, Ed Psych and Paed, which all contributed towards the diagnosis.

School don't dx.

Health professionals do.

Go to your GP and ask for a referral to a child development paed so that your DS can be assessed for ADHD.

Eventually school will be given the Connors questionnaire which will ask them questions like 'does he have trouble concentrating' etc.

They won't be asked if they think he has ADHD or if they think he is just immature.