My son may have adhd

[equinox]

Could anybody help me please?

I posted this in Behaviour and Development but didn't get far.

My son is a lively 5 year old boy, he doesn't have problems learning just concentration sitting still hyperactive and fighting other children, impulsive and sometimes swearing, attention seeking.

He is happy at school and has often said he can't control his brain which I used to ignore. However I have completed an online questionnaire today and it does appear he has borderline adhd symptoms.

Should I get him assessed and if so how?

The school are rubbish they have been moaning for months about him without any attempt to link him up with the nurse although it had been mentioned on numerous occasions by them. They seem to think it his behaviour that is disruptive and I have tried to work with them but I don't see the problem nearly so much at home.

I will of course work on removing all foods that may affect him and also eliminate cows milk but would it help to get him assessed?

Any good websites/alternative treatments?

I have heard rhodiola can help is this true?

I am really fed up with school as they said he should not go to the school disco on Friday as he had been so disruptive last week and it has now struck me that they have it in for him, should I change schools/complain?

Sorry for all the questions really don't know who to turn to. GP? Parentline? Who?

They claim they are getting him discussed at a multi assessment meeting if he changed school would this continue or would he need to be re-referred by the new school.

It appears the school, to me, cannot be very au fait with challenging behaviour, as they did look very stressed Friday. This was his teacher and the deputy head.

Really appreciate any help! What I want to know is if he gets assessed will this help any school take him more seriously and not keep thinking it his his faulty behaviour all the time?

Thanks for any assistance!

Hiya equinox-I would be tempted to ask form a referral to a paediatrician and then you can discuss all your concerns-what is his behaviour like at home? Is there a marked difference in his impulse control at school and at home-if so maybe the school environment is just overwhelming him and his reaction to this is the behaviour they are witnessing. Have you met with the SENCO? May be worth it to discuss strategies of how to help him deal with the school environment-but definately go to your GP and get yourself at least referred to a paed-once that ball is rolling you will feel more in control and you can ask the school what they are now doing to support him.
HTH-off to work now but will post more on Mon!!!

Thank you oddgirl - yes I will go to the GP about it.

What is SENCO?

Will it help to change schools?

Thanks!

SENCo is the Special Educational Needs Co ordinator and he/she should be giving your DS' teacher advice about behaviour management. Asking for an appointment with him/her would be a good idea.
I wouldn't rush into changing schools. It might help. but it might not. Your DS would face a lotof upheaval and have to start all over again getting used to everyone, and you say he is quite happy at school.
If you can get the school to try some different behaviour management strategies it might help.
Getting him assessed by the Community Paed would also help because if he has a condition like ADHD the school will know that he is not just being difficult.

How do i ask for an appointment with the SENCO?

Joshua is being assessed by a behaviour support person tomorrow and also 8th june, would they be the SENCO person?

How do I go about assessment by community paed?

Is it sufficient to request paed thru GP?

Thank you!

Hi Equinox it might be sufficient to request paed through GP - check with your GP to make sure. I live in NI so our procedures might be a wee bit different. I would also suggest you write a list of the behaviours you feel could be attributed to adhd so that you ensure you are being heard and you don't forget when dealing with professionals.

My ds2 is 9 now and has asd and adhd, I did feel it was important to get ds assessed - the adhd dx has made sense of some of his behaviours and we can manage them better - as can ds's school x