Is it worth getting an assessment?

[4BlackCats]

After lots of issues at school, we have established that DD has slow processing speed. One change of school later and all seems to be going ok, with some extra support from the SENCO. However I still feel that she has some traits that could point to ADHD or ASD (or maybe not) - school don't seem that interested as she is doing ok. Is it worth getting her assessed? She was already on the waiting list for OT and assessments.

How old is your dd?

She is 9

Yes, I think it is worth an assessment for ADHD &/or ASD, especially because of the transition to secondary school and often coping becomes much harder for ND teen girls as demands and expectations increase.

I also think it is worth an assessment by an educational psychologist for the slow processing.

Thank you. Who can do an assessment, does it need to be a psychiatrist? Any recommendations for providers that are good for spotting signs in girls? We would have to go private, it would be another year at least otherwise.

I would also say yes, based on what I have read on these boards. Secondary school can be much more stressful and it would be best to be prepared.

For an ADHD assessment you would need a child and adolescent psychiatrist. For an ASD assessment it could be a child and adolescent psychiatrist or a neurodevelopmental paediatrician, although SALT, OT and clinical psychologists often have MDT input.

I haven’t used any of them but I know others have used Psychiatry UK, Clinical Partners and GOSH’s neurodevelopmental team privately. The Lorna Wing is considered one of the best for assessing women and girls for ASD.