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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

who can diagnose ADHD??

55 replies

sparklymieow · 03/03/2005 11:59

I am certain that DD1 has ADHD and DS has a mild form of it, I am at the end of thether with DD1 and can't take much more of her behaviour, she is so lively and loud! She screams and shouts. She fights like a boy and hurts the other badly. Of course when she starts DS starts. Who can help me with this? Is it worth going to the GP?

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Original poster

sparklymieow · 03/03/2005 23:38

HPs?? No its not been mentioned at all. I have been looking into allsorts of disorders trying to find somthing that "fits" but noone will help me with her (tho. we do have the social worker coming tomorrow to do the report for the respite... yea!!) I am getting fed up with looks from the pead., doctors, teachers because of the stratches and marks on DS and Dd2 done by Dd1.

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binkybetsy · 03/03/2005 23:43

from what you describe I would advocate an MDT assessment as BH suggests, asking specifically for an OT. Your dd sounds very typical of the children we would see.

binkybetsy · 03/03/2005 23:45

Sorry HP health professional & MDT multidisciplinary assessment. Really sorry for jargon.

Original poster

sparklymieow · 03/03/2005 23:46

Sorry can you explain what a MDT actually is and is OT the normal OT?? She has an OT that helps with equiment, but I am guessing that its something different..

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binkybetsy · 03/03/2005 23:50

An OT in community paediatrics. No they all deal with equipment in one way or another, but some work in social services where the emphasis won't be on treatment. Does your OT work into the school, has she done an assessment of her needs? I think this maybe better spoken about through CAT. Do you have this activated & I'll CAT you?

Original poster

sparklymieow · 03/03/2005 23:54

She is under a pead. at the hospital, has been all her life, because she was premature and because she has Cerebral palsy. She is also under the neuro. at GOS. She has been under CAMHs, and SAL (who has said she has learning disabilities, but noone else will commite to that either!!)
She has no sense of strange danger, road safety, etcetc, I have to keep an eye on her at all times and it tiring me out. The only time when she is lovely, is just before she goes to sleep, and she says "I love you mummy" Oh god I am welling up here!! You must think I am a right wierdo

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ScummyMummy · 03/03/2005 23:55

Hi Mieow. Sorry you're worried about your dd and that her behaviour is so testing at the moment. IME, it is pretty difficult to get additional diagnoses on top of an intial CP diagnosis. It's my impression that many professionals tend to expect a certain level of inattention and liveliness as part of the presentation in many children with cp and take a fair bit of convincing before they will consider this as indicative of ADHD rather than as part of the child's CP, iyswim. It may be that you're running into this kind of unwillingness to think outside the 'CP box.'I must say that in my experience quite a lot of kids I worked with who had CP were extremely lively and had attention issues. It really can present in so many ways. I did work with one family who had a child with a dual diagnosis of CP and ADHD, tho. I guess you need to think about what extra needs your dd has that are NOT signposted by her cp diagnosis. i.e. What do you think an ADHD diagnosis would add in terms of you and others knowing how to meet her needs? Do you think she may need medication, for example? Or additional targets on her iep? If you can think of some answers they may provide useful ammunition to press for an ADHD diagnosis. If not, maybe the CP diagnosis is explanation enough?

Original poster

sparklymieow · 03/03/2005 23:58

TBH SM, I don't know, I just need help!!

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ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:00

Oh hon. What would be the help that would really help, do you think? Will the respite make a difference?

Original poster

sparklymieow · 04/03/2005 00:01

she has always been a demanding child, even from birth, I found her very hard work, as she just screamed all the time. And as she got bigger so did her behaviour issues. Now she is nearly the same size as DS (he is a tiny 7 year) I can see the problem getting worse as she grows and the marks and stratches getting worse IYKWIM? She is just so lively, and isn't quiet at all, god know what the the neighbours think? We have tried all sorts of things with her and nothing works.

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Original poster

sparklymieow · 04/03/2005 00:03

she has been approved for 24 hours a month respite away from home which can be taken overnight if they find the right carer. We also have a few days in the holidays at a playscheme. Ds also has CP and its so hard, so hard

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ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:05

I think you need to develop a THICK skin with the neighbours- who cares what they think? You are doing brilliantly by her and your others in a very hard situation and you really must hang onto that. Have you tried a parenting course for children with cp or disabilites? Support groups? Clinical psychiatrist? Are you getting any time for you? What makes it easier to cope and what is to be avoided at all costs?

ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:05

I bet it is hon. I bet it is.

Original poster

sparklymieow · 04/03/2005 00:08

I go to a monthly support group, can't go tomorrow as the SW is coming here and have been on the Time out for SN parenting course. I try and make time for me, normally on here in the evenings till one of them wakes up, either DS with spasms, DD1 with..... whatever, and Dd2 with her eczema. Neverending here....

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ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:08

Sorry- make that clinical psychOLOGIST. Have the camhs team got a disability specialist?

Original poster

sparklymieow · 04/03/2005 00:10

dunno TBH. I just feel so useless because I can't stop her hurting the others, and no matter what I do, nothing works. I think I need a hol. Maybe mum will babysit again so me and DH can get away for the weekend (she did this last year, it was fab )

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ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:12

How is dh coping? Is he willing and able to help out, particularly at night? Sorry for all these questions- just trying to think of something that might help. Really think you need clinical psychologist so that sleep and behaviour can be tackled at the same time. You must be exhausted.

ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:14

A holiday sounds like a great idea! Can you apply to the family fund for monies towards it? Or the Family Welfare Association?

Original poster

sparklymieow · 04/03/2005 00:18

Dh normally deals with DD2 so I can get some sleep. The other day I fell asleep at 7pm and slept through till 6am. Haven't had that much sleep in ages, I also try and get a few hours during the day and DH watches DD2
I can't apply to the FF till May, as you have to wait a year between applications. I have looked at prices at the adults weekend at butlins, so will prolly do that.
My mum is a star but she couldn't look after them all the time, she said last year, they are too much hard work!!

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ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:23

Ask the respite social worker about other organisations that could help with funds and also if you could coordinate dd's respite to coincide with your break. Then your mum would have less on her plate! Have you got any other family or friends who could help her out?

Original poster

sparklymieow · 04/03/2005 00:29

my other sister will help (not misdee) she is good like that, she has a special bond with Dd1 as she was there when she was born (awww) and she is very patient with her, but that what she does for a living (Family support worker at SS, and is manager at a SN playscheme, great source of info) Anyway, thanks for the chat, I better be off to get some sleep. I will take her to the GP and get something done (something has to be done, it can't carry on like this) and also arrange a holiday, I think!! My parents are coming on holiday with us in may to help us out, which will be good.
Thanks again!

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ScummyMummy · 04/03/2005 00:32

Night, sparkly. Nice chatting to you. Hope you have a peaceful sleep.

lars · 04/03/2005 14:13

Sparkly mieow, just caught up with your thread. Sometimes it can feel like no one is hearing you on mumsnet, but I really think that as long as you have some responses that it really doesn't matter how many post.

I know myself it's really hard to get help and support and I don't always think schools are very supportive to families with SEN ( although i know there are some good schools out there , if only I could find one).

I do have a friend who's child is ADHD and my son scored high for connor score and is now on medication and it is a real struggle to get help. People are always quick to blame the parents, they really don't have any idea. I read an article in the express this week and I was furious on the report of ADHD children, they were just spolit, naughty children and blamed the parents.

My neighbour is the neighbour from hell and has said awful things about my child, take no notice of people's reaction who do not understand or have any conception to know what it's like to live with a child that shows ADHD behaviours.
As for a parenting group, go you will meet other people the same as you. You may pick up tips and you may have already tried the advice but at least when you go for an assessment you can say that you have been to the class and tried their ideas. I'm going to one shortly and the children will get help too and be shown how to improve their behaviour with other children, etc.

Although I've tried plenty of techniques, it is a way of meeting others in the same position as myself and at least they know I 'm going along with all the suggestions and that the school can't say we haven't tried. Good luck and keep us posted. larsxx

Original poster

sparklymieow · 04/03/2005 14:18

Lars, I have been on aprenting course, a special needs one, it gave me tips and ideas to try with the kids but nothing owrks on DD1. I did get the support group this morning coz the social worker had to cancel because of the snow!! I am going to see the GP soon and also talk to the SN health vistor. We are going to GOS next week with her to an assessment for Botox injections, I will talk to them too, they have been a great help with DS.

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coppertop · 04/03/2005 17:00

t dound as though she needs a multi-disciplinary assessment. Ideally you would need someone who could see past the CP diagnosis.

It sounds as though there might be some sensory issues. If these are recognised then there's a lot that can be done to help with them.

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