ADHD, high school and medication

[olivehater]

Just spoke to my recently ADHD diagnosed Y6 child’s teacher and she was more negative than expected. Said he’s wild at times and really struggling in class and she felt sorry for him. I asked if they have been implementing some of the recommendations from the dr that diagnosed him and she said they had. He is not on any medication and as we had him diagnosed privately it would probably be difficult to go down that route quickly.

Thing is they have been doing sats exams and he is getting greater depth in everything and she says she full expects him to get 100% in his maths. So so far it doesn’t seem to affect him on an academic level. He is also very popular with lots of friends so socially it isn’t a big issue either.

DH not keen on medication and also not keen on him being diagnosed under the NHS for fear of it affecting his future.

I guess I just worry about the future and how he will cope with high school and whether he will be able to keep the academic side up. He’s is naturally very bright and doesn’t have to work at the moment but I guess that can only get you so far.

His adhd is more related to the impulsive hyperactive side. He’s does have some aspects of inattention but didn’t meet the threshold so I realise he is mild in comparison to others.

Will things get better or worse at high school? What are others experiences?

Some find secondary school easier. Some don’t.

If DS is ‘wild at times and really struggling in class’ then secondary may well be more difficult from a behavioural PoV. Although some find the movement between classes helps.

Have you spoken to the primary SENCO? What support are they providing? Does DS have an EHCP? Did you speak to the SENCOs at the potential secondary schools?

An NHS diagnosis won’t affect DS’s future any differently to a private diagnosis. Personally, I would try medication whether that is by going privately or by seeking an NHS referral.

We sent his report to his senco as well. I don’t think he has an ehcp. She didn’t think he warranted much because he is doing fine academically. She talked a but a one pages something or other with DH but then said didn’t think he needed it. I don’t really understand much about it to be honest. We paid privately and he was diagnosed without a couple of months. One to one interviews with him us and his teacher. He did qbe test and scored on the 99th centile.
As soon as I find out his high school I will approach the senco there I think.
Perhaps I need to see how he copes initially and take it from there.
Dh is terrified medication will erase his personality

Support in schools is on much more than academics. DS clearly needs more support in school. Speak to the primary SENCO now.