Help please! Six year old son with suspected ADHD

[Sherbet99]

Hello there,

I wish to take my 6 year old son for a private consultation with a paediatrician for an ADHD assessment. I have sought help from the GP two times in the past with no success. One referral to CAMHS was rejected, presumably because at the time he wasn't presenting any problems in school/reception. I have also previously attended a Positive Parenting course organised by the L.A, which didn't really help.

Since then, there have been a few issues at school - difficulty concentrating, maintaining focus and there have been a few issues with friends. There are many challenges at home, which would take too long to go into. His teacher is liaising with the SENCO. She has completed a form (not sure who this is for).

Anyway, although I intend to go back to the GP, I don't feel optimistic about what help may be available, even if we do get another referral to CAMHS. I want to get this dealt with, one way or another, I need to know as it is causing us all a lot of stress. We have a three year old who is also affected by all of this.

Please can anyone advise someone who can offer help. Ideally a doctor who also works for the NHS?

Although I am concerned that a private diagnosis would not be taken seriously by the NHS or school.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated, thanks,
xx

Oh and if it was a private consultation, I would hope the doctor would be entirely objective. I would hate to think they would be more likely to diagnose a condition because we were paying!

We opted for a private diagnosis as we were looking at a 2yr wait on the NHS. We had schools full support and have had no problems having the diagnosis accepted.

Starting point for us was an internet search for a child psychiatrist local to us, I would say check they follow the NICE guidelines, this should help with having the diagnosis accepted. Good luck, I would do it again in a heart beat.

Hi sleepy paws,

Thanks very much for that. That's ridiculous re the two year wait - what a terrible state of affairs.

But, it is reassuring that the private diagnosis was accepted and ultimately helpful.

Can I ask please, did you have to take information with you to the assessment? Did they need supporting information from the school?

Many thanks x

I know, it's so sad that it takes so long!

We had a supporting letter from the school and they were then involved in the process. They had questionnaires to fill in and also longer questions to answer. It really does help to have them on side as the issues have to be apparent in more than one setting.

The initial appointment was just a detailed history. We made notes in advance to refer to but didn't take anything else with us. After this we also had questionnaires to fill in. Results then given on our next appointment.

Hi again, thanks for the information. Really helpful.

I spoke to my son's teacher last night. She has concerns too so I expect we can get those things.

Xx

That's brilliant, good luck x