ADHD assessment help

[OhLookHeKickedTheBall]

Dd is 8. When she was 3 (nearly 4) she had massive issues with her hearing loss to very enlarged adenoids, large tonsils, constant glue ear, etc. Her ENT after a few visits commented that he thinks it likely she may have adhd, though her behaviours also mirror people with sensory processing disorders. Told us to keep a watchful eye on it but bear in mind that until her hearing was sorted and probably until she was older than 7 we'd have a hard time getting her diagnosed.

Her hearing had mainly been sorted now, it's at normal levels nearly all the time but glue is slower to drain than average still - it does drain though. I've had open dialogue with her infants and now junior school about adhd being a possibility with her and I'd appreciate it if they could let me know if she is displaying any behaviours there. This year her teacher has been letting me know this is happening, and currently her behaviour is worsening. She's not highly disruptive, it's all small things but they're massive distractions and causing issues.

Spoke to school nurse yesterday as dd is also not handling school emotionally well. School nurse advised me that I need to push for a diagnosis now, that dd seems like a textbook case and the emotional stuff is probably linked in.

My issues are where to start? Gp, school or both? And also that school are well known for filling assessments out as no issue, despite having talked and written about problems to parents, so what could I do if that happens?

Sorry for the long post, I've probably forgotten something too. TIA

My DS has ADHD and dyspraxia, diagnosed at 7 and 6 respectively. GP was where I started for him. Took a long time and so in meantime School has key role in identifying SEN needs though too and putting in support. They should be supporting you. Have you considered EHCP?

Issues were identified by our DS teacher. A meeting was set up with the teacher and the schools SENCO. They advised us of their concerns and said they could put a referral through for us to CAMHS. We chose not to go down this route due to the wait being 2yrs+. With the schools support we opted to get a private diagnosis for which we had a letter from school and also from the GP.

My advice would be to speak with the schools SENCO, they will be able to advise of your next steps. It will also help to have evidence from other settings (after school clubs etc...) wouldn't hurt to ask if they have noticed any issues aswell.

Thank you both for replying.

I think I'll try a two prong approach - both GP and SENCO. Whilst our infants and juniors are technically separate, our SENCO is shared so I don't have much confidence there. I had to fight infants to get them to acknowledge DDs hearing issues when she had them, despite consultant reports. Also her emotional issues which manifest physically were often ignored as much as possible so its frustrating! Juniors have been much better in fairness.

I hadn't considered EHCP as I thought that needed something that was diagnosed beforehand? Don't really know what I'm talking about there obviously so more than happy to be corrected.

If you can get the school on board the process will be easier. Even going privately the diagnosis included questionnaires that had to be filled in by us and the school, it will be a struggle if they don't agree/aren't willing to acknowledge.

It is so frustrating to hear of schools that aren't supportive, intervention at such a young age is so important for future development. Fingers crossed for you that they help.

Two pronged approach but push harder through GP for referral as more likely to get quicker diagnosis. Ask school to provide evidence of I'm going issues at school you can give to gp, also wrote down issues at home and get evidence from any activities she does. I may be wrong but usually adhd diagnosis requires symptoms to be seen in two or more settings.