DS got diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD yesterday

[SiouxsieSiouxStiletto]

It's such a huge relief and explains why he's bright but just finds it beyond hard to focus.

School were useless as he behaved in class so they didn't want to know. He was initially referred to CAMHS but with lockdown causing delays, he was then told he was too old and he'd have to be referred to adult services.

We've filled in the forms (who though that sending people with ADHD a big form to fill in was a good idea?) and he had a video consultation yesterday. He was told after half an hour that he definitely does have ADHD. It feels like such a relief and he'll now get extra support at Uni but it also has its downsides, it's a lifelong condition which I wish he didn't have.

If feeling conflicted after diagnosis normal?

It's only 3 weeks since we were told at the initial meeting with Community Paediatrics that DD has significant ASD traits.

Ive been through similar with my daughter. She’s 23 now and getting ready to finish her first year at Uni. She’d only received her ADHD diagnosis two years ago. I think she’s probably ASD too but that’s another story. It’s taken me to now to accept it, although like you, I really wish she didn’t have it. Life is harder but you do just get used to it, see it for what it is and move forward.

I never take anything for granted now and feel like I’m a totally different person. Sorry, I’m waffling. Best of luck, hopefully your son will receive good support at Uni.

I hope your DD hasn't found Uni too hard @CrispsChocolate, I do want DS to go but I'm sorry worried about him.

Does she take any ADHD medication?

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto We thought she would find it hard but being fair she does seem to be keeping on top of things. She is re-considering medication as previously nothing seemed to help (she was just sat at home no work, no studying) at that time. There is extra help available from the Uni but she’s still waiting on it as she finds face to face so much easier as opposed to virtual (which was initially offered). She declined and now has to wait until someone is available to see her that fits around her timetable.

Is your son hoping to start Uni in September?

Yes he's starting this September.

Really hoping he does get the 1 to 1's that have been recommended.

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto @CrispsChocolate We found out my DS 20 and DD 15 both have ADHD, however both were already diagnosed ASD 2 years previously. I think we'd already come to terms with the fact that with both of them diagnosed ASD life was going to be different than we'd planned for. I think the ADHD on top just answered a few more questions. My children were both completely under the radar at school as they were so well-behaved and hated attention drawn to themselves. DS in now in his second year at uni, since September he's been on Concerta which has been amazing for him. DD started it last month and already can't imagine life without it. DS did have a mentor to help when he started uni, but he'd already learnt to be ultra organised with his time otherwise he couldn't achieve anything because it all took so long. After a bad first week at uni, he managed to get help from the mental health nurse who was a life saver for him last year. Now he is confident and happy there.

Having these diagnoses means for both of them they get accommodations which makes life easier. So yes, it is difficult to accept at first (we had quite a lot to deal with in a short space of time!) but ultimately they are still the same people. However they now get a lot more assistance when they need it rather than having to battle through as they did earlier.

Wow there's a lot of positives in there @VMJ1. I'm so glad that they've both been diagnosed and can now understand it's not their fault that they don't find things easy.

I'm also really pleased that they are both finding Concerts works well and they your DS is doing so well at Uni, especially after a rough start.

They sound a bit like my 2. Clever, funny and very well behaved at school.