Private ADHD assessment

[QuinnofHearts]

Hi all, I wondered if anyone could help me. Today my son has a private ADHD referral and I'm so worried about the process, and what happens during the 2hr appointment.

My son is 6 and his start into education has been difficult. When he started nursery we went in lockdown; he continued going to an empty nursery as I was a key worker. When the other children started coming back, he struggled with the transition. Everyday at nursery I was told he was "emotional" or there was an incident of biting/hitting. Wouldn't sit down or focus for periods of time.

He commenced primary school, and again it was difficult. In the first 2 weeks his baby sister died, and then a few weeks later his Grandpa died. He was also bullied by some children in KS2. The SEN teacher stated that he had behavioural issues and said I need to focus on him more.

We moved house a few weeks later and started a new school. He was off school for a month as he had surgery. But again, the behavioural issues followed, lack of attention and refusing to do work. I got his books back at the end of the year and they were full of "X refused to sit down and do work." He had play therapy to deal with the death of his sister.

We have just completed yr1. We have had some successes, but towards the end of the year we have had - again - the same issues. He has a 1-2-1 to do his work. School advised him to go to a specialist school once a week. This is a disaster as a child threw a chair at him, and he was scared. We have had a diagnosis of dyspraxia as handwriting is poor, as well as co ordination. School have said that until they have the official report, they will continue to "fail" him on handwriting.

I booked this private adhd appointment as I'm done. He hits all the markers. We have attempted therapy and everything in between, but the issues with school are still there. Sleep has become progressively worse, we wake up at 5am each day and doesn't go back to sleep. Obsessions over things have also increased and that's all he will talk about for weeks. Ask a serious question, get an answer about super Mario.

DS will state that his brain is too fast/tight, and often has emotional meltdowns.

Thanks everyone for letting me get that off my chest.

What can I expect from the referral today?

I can't answer that exactly, but I took DD with SEN (functioning at around the 4 year old level) to see a private consultant psychiatrist. I had to read his report again recently. I saw that I had to fill in several questionnaires - because he referred to them, before diagnosing an anxiety disorder, depression and ADD. He had read a considerable amount of medical and independent reports, like speech and language therapy and OT, beforehand - but if you are at the start of the SEN journey, you won't have those yet. School reports can be quite telling though - DD's school had already had to provide her with 1:1 to keep her on task in the classroom, and move her on to the next one at the right time. Otherwise, they said she'd be asked to draw a picture of a farm - and she'd spend several hours just drawing the grass. We also had a long chat with him, probably for about 2 hours, although some of the time he was talking to DD.

However, if your DS does have ADHD, they will be interested to see how he behaves - so, if he is climbing the walls, that would support a diagnosis of ADHD, along with other evidence?

Thanks so much for replying! We have had OT and SLT involved too!

Specifics of what happens in the appointments differs. They will ask questions (either F2F, on the phone, via questionnaires or a mixture of these ways) about DS’s history - as an infant/toddler, nursery, schools, family history, difficulties DS has had…

Does DS have an EHCP? If DS does, you need an early review. If he doesn’t, you need to request an EHCNA. SEN support in schools is based on needs, not diagnosis.

Hi everyone who replied, thanks. DS was diagnosed with ADHD and an anxiety disorder :(

I was wondering what private clinic did you use? Was it adhd 360?

No, they didn't return my call. I used Midland Health in Birmingham and I can't fault them.

Also, now that you have a private diagnosis - do you have to pay for their prescriptions? Or will your gp prescribe them? Does your area recognise the diagnosis?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm fed up of waiting for the NHS...

So we have to pay for them, and 28 Ritalin tablets cost us £35! Which I can do!

Hi @QuinnofHearts - we went private for an ADHD diagnosis (based in London). After about 3 months, we managed to get the NHS to pay for the private meds. Sometimes they were costing £100 a month…and varied even between different Boots pharmacies. So look into this after he has been on the private prescription for a couple of months.

Ah that's great. Did you have to switch GP? Our GP stated to me that they won't entertain a shared care agreement, which is a pain. I've budgeted the £36 a month for his meds, and I think we are going to apply for DLA as well.

I'm feeling a bit wobbly over it all today.

Hi there - no, I didn’t have to switch GP. I managed to persuade them to accept the private diagnosis and realise I had done them a favour getting a private diagnosis…

Thank you!

Hi there Quinnofhearts, I'm also in Birmingham and just wondered if you managed to find a GP who would accept shared care? Thanks!

Hi there Quinnofhearts, I'm also in Birmingham and just wondered if you managed to find a GP who would accept shared care? Thanks!

Not yet... I'm in month 2! I'm going to ask my
GP to reconsider as my son has improved so much, and we are commencing on a 20mg morning dose and a 5mg evening dose.

I found this thread as I am considering getting my 9yo assessed for ADHD and dyslexia. Just wanted to say to you, @QuinnofHearts - what a difficult time you and your DC have had, bless you. Sending lots of anonymous but very heartfelt love your way! 💜

Good luck! It was the best thing I have ever done for him. Sometimes its hard and I feel school think he's going to be perfect now he's medicated... but we will get there.

Me and my son always say that we are "the perfect team"!