15 Year old ADHD child doing GCSE

[Committedmum]

I have a 15 year old child that is struggling at the moment. Was diagnosed with ADHD since Year 3, and is currently doing final year GCSE- it has been an overwhelming start to his final year, the work load has increased, he is anxious about the lack of meds and the pressure of the exams. At the moment I cannot get any ADHD meds, as it's sold out in the UK, and I'm not sure that my child is actually on the correct ADHD Med. He was on Lisdexamfetamine - however moving him to a higher dosage made feel like a zombie, very subdued. He started on Methylphenidate when he was just diagnosed, but that really subdued his personality, and made him need the toilet 30mins later. Since this year, he has tried the non controlled drug Atomoxetine, with a 5mg disexamfetamine top up, he prefers it, as he says it gives him his personality. I find that these meds aren't very strong, and his school work is declining - slow to start lessons in class, untidy disorganised school books. On top of it all, in reading it up, I suspect he has slow processing disorder. He takes forever to do his homework and studying - or generally when he is doing anything. I've asked school for access arrangements too, i.e. extra time for his exams, but they have declined, saying it's not the "usual way of working". Any other mums out there with the same issues in their teens? what meds work for your child? have you been able to get access arrangements for gcse exams? it's been v stressful, as a parent you just want your child to be happy, and be on the right meds too, to help him deal with all this stress.

There is still time for access arrangements to become DS’s normal way of working.

What support is the school providing? Does he have an EHCP? Could you prioritise maths, english and anything else needed for DS’s next step? What is DS’s plan for next year? Does DS have a system for organising his notes/revision that you and school can help him keep on top of?

Thks YellowRosesWithRedTips. The school says he can't get extra time, as this is not his "normal way of working" - but he can have rest breaks, and a prompter to check on him ever so often. He does well in Further Maths, with his one to one tutor, however his teacher dismisses anyone with special needs... and the school Sen isn't very good. The only support I have, is that they will make the teachers aware of what he is going through at the moment, and crib sheet before each lesson to tick off, and making him sit in the front of the class. He has a method of studying, however it does take him longer, as he prefers to make flash card notes before any tests. He would like to do 6th form at the same school. It's just been a nightmare getting the meds... and hope this can improve at some point.. will be writing to the local MP - as it seems the whole of UK is sold out of ADHD meds.

If DS needs extra time, there is still time for it to become DS’s normal way of working.

Sorry but the school can't just say that- they need to make it his usual way of working and make reasonable adjustments as necessary. I'd ask for a meeting with the SENDCO and remind them of their legal duty to make those realisable adjustments that he needs- starting immediately.

Just found this thread via a search - I have a Y11 DD with ADD and her school have also said they won't apply for extra time for her and that she is just eligible for rest breaks. She really struggles with time management, always late and homework without fail takes her double the time its meant to but overall she's a high achiever overall and, because they don't see how much peddling she's doing under the surface at home, the SENDCO has said there isn't enough evidence at school of the need for extra time because she is 'on track to meet her targets'.

She's waiting for mocks results but two teachers have not come to talk to her to say based on her exam performance they are applying for extra time for her because they can see it's been an issue. I'm sure that's the case for other subject as well but feel very wary of contacting the SENDCO again and being slapped down (or in fact it working against DD because they'll feel we're just hassling them). It's frustrating because I know that extra time would make a huge difference for her whereas I don't think the rest breaks will - I reckon, if she's actually managing to focus in an exam that stopping and taking time out with in fact have a detrimental effect because it'll take her ages to get back into the zone again each time.

Any advice on how to approach this with the school?

@Committedmum in answer to your question, DD takes Methylphenidate 27mg. It definitely helps her focus a bit better at school but not a magic bullet by any means. She sounds quite similar to your DS - she's super chaotic, takes a very long time to complete tasks and has no idea how to order her revision / homework, flashcards all over the place. I also have ADD so am not best placed to help but over xmas I enlisted the help of sceptical DH to put together a revision timetable for her. I've tried to get my head around the specs for all the subjects she's learning and work out what sort of rate she needs to work at in order to get through it all in time for the exams (while also keeping on top of new material they are learning / homework etc). I'm really hoping it will help to prevent things spiralling out of control as the exams draw near. How are you and your DS getting on?

Has DD already been having extra time? Unless extra time is already DD’s normal way of working, it is probably too late for it to become that now so even if the school did apply it would be refused.

Have you considered a prompter?

No, she hasn't. She was only diagnosed in Y10 and we raised the issue last summer but were told the teachers would be looking out for it. In fact they only seem to be picking up now on the fact that it's an issue despite us flagging it several times.