ADHD - School and Consultant not aligned

[Tricky10]

Hello - we have just had an ADHD diagnosis for our 8 year old DD - she is already diagnosed with dyspraxia / some sensory processing issues - she is not hyperactive - her issues are more around attention / focus / impulsive behaviour (anger). She is very bright but not realising her full potential at school. We have support already in place with the Senco and we met last week to discuss (the latest) diagnosis. School don't see the behaviours that we see at home - she is an incredibly compliant girl at school and so are not convinced by the diagnosis - we at home are more so as we see the school feedback on attention and the behaviours at home. School are questioning how she manages to "keep a lid on it" during the day (but then exploding at home). We discussed potentially getting a second opinion from a paediatric consultant - just interested to see if anyone has come across this scenario and whether anyone has sought a second medical opinion ? Personally I found the Consultant we saw very credible and in reading information (still going up the curve) I am minded to think that this is where we are at but clearly any decision on medication (which has been recommended) is not one to be taken lightly.

Appreciating all the wisdom on these threads ladies.

Thank you !

What support is already in place via the SENCO? Its more than likely not enough (nowhere near enough) and it certainly won't be enough when she starts secondary based education.

Have you ever been advised to apply for an EHCP for her?. If not I would do this as a matter of course yourself and use IPSEA's website for more information. www.ipsea.org.uk

Re your comment:-
"School are questioning how she manages to "keep a lid on it" during the day (but then exploding at home)".

Clearly they do not understand your child at all. Your DD likely bottles up all the frustrations of the school day because she will get into trouble otherwise with her teachers or her peers. Its a commonly seen scenario in children whose additional needs at school are not being met. School see a compliant child instead of a really unhappy one who is internalising all her frustrations.

Many people in schools do not have sufficient enough training or skills to readily recognise some children with additional needs. Also they are not medically trained unlike the specialists you've already seen.

Thank you - in terms of support I am not sure what level of support is "standard" or if there is a standard - it is early days for us so just trying to guage what kind of additional support she needs above and beyond what she is currently getting (communications class / one hour one on one). She is performing ok at school - comparable to her peers probably better than a lot - but it is the unrealised potential and behaviours at home that to me are the problem.

I have been told that she is a long way off a statement. Again I just have no way to measure. this.