Looking for some advice

[Eva50]

Ds1 (18) has ADHD. He was diagnosed at age 7 and until a year ago was on Concerta XL. He got through school with very little help, despite my pushing for more, and had a happy time there although, despite being clever, did not do well academically.

He went on to college last year to try to get some qualifications to access further education and we await his results although neither he, or I are too hopeful. He has a conditional offer for college next year.

We got DLA for him until his 16th birthday but did not reapply as most of the issues that led us to apply in the first place had resolved. However we failed to appreciate the new problems that come with a older teen who is very young for his age.

He has applied for jobs but can't seem to complete written applications and online ones have all these "what would you do" questions which he has no idea about. He needs someone with more knowledge than I have to help him. He gets so disheartened and so takes to his room to play computer games.

I do know that we are so lucky. He is a good lad and gives us very little trouble but, since stopping the Concerta things have gone down hill. We are seeing his GP next week but is there anything else I can do?

We are in Scotland if this makes a difference. Sorry for my ramblings, I'm feeling quite down about it all today.

Does the college offer any support with job applications? They might have a careers advisor who can go through forms with him and help him work out what he needs to be writing.

I am not sure what is available in your area as it varies so much. However, there should be something that is aimed at preparing people for work. There are usually ones for people without additional needs but in my area there are also specialist ones for people with disabilities. They help with anything to do with preparing for the world of work. Give your local job centre a ring and see what is on offer.

Thank you. We will visit the job centre when we are at the G.P's as it is in the same direction and hopefully they will advise.

He will get his results next week and then we will know if he has his college place for next year. There may be someone at the college next week we can speak to. He did see someone last year to arrange extra time for his exams so hopefully there will be someone able to help him.

I am sure there will be a disability advisor at college. Is he wanting to work alongside attend college?

I just thought...I found out about a work scheme for my sister through the local parent and carers service. Again not sure how it works in Scotland but in England all local authorities have them. Is worth signing up to their newsletter if you have one. Everything I have had so far from them has been free. It has been really useful.

Thanks so much. When he was younger we were members of the local ADHD group which was great for support and family outings but ds decided he didn't want to be part of it anymore so we stopped a few years ago.

I do get newsletters from the local carers forum. There is now quite a lot of support for adults with ASD locally (ds2 has ASD, although not an adult yet) but less for ADHD.

It's difficult when they move on from school. If there were any problems I used to get a phone call, now I don't know what's happening half the time and I find that quite hard. Ds, of course, says there are no problems!

He would like a part time job. Tesco, Aldi or similar but has been knocked back by both. He is such a friendly, cheery lad. Everyone who meets him loves him and (even if I say it myself) he has lovely manners but there are some things he just doesn't get. He won't get much of a bursery, I don't think and we can't afford to give him a lot of money although, obviously, we will feed, clothe and keep a roof over his head.