ADHD assessment for my Year 12 son: private this summer or wait?

[fatsamsgrandslam]

Hi.

My 17 year old son has been assessed at school as being highly likely to have ADHD. I thought that we could manage without a formal ADHD assessment but things are getting trickier and trickier. He is Yr 12. We have an appointment with the GP on Monday. His school breaks up for the summer next Friday. My plan was to speak to the GP and ask for a referral under RTC hoping to get an assessment (perhaps naively) before Christmas.

The alternative would be to reach out to a private clinic this week and still have time for the school to complete the required forms so that we could have the assessment over the summer holidays.

I am conscious that he will be starting Yr 13 in September.

Should I just bite the bullet and get the assessment done privately this summer or wait? What are the real benefits to him getting the formal assessment done as quickly as possible?

Thanks and please be kind. Up until a couple of weeks ago we kept thinking he would grow out of this behaviour so I really feel like I have let him down.

If DS is diagnosed and went down the medication route, can you afford ongoing private prescriptions? Many GPs now will not take on shared care when diagnosed and titrated privately.

Even with going to a private clinic this week, there may not be time for the school to complete forms/questionnaires prior to breaking up.

Thank you for replying. We could afford it if we had to, but would rather explore NHS options first if possible. I think you're right - I will be surprised if school are able to fill out all the forms before they break up. The teachers have been primed - but I think it will be quite an ask for them to turn it around so quickly.

The difference between the wait for the private appointment or a RTC appointment is 3 months - other than access to medication, what is the benefit of extra speedy diagnosis?

Other than medication, I don’t think there is a benefit to having an assessment 3 months earlier. I suppose other than knowing one way or the other.

Support in sixth form is based on needs rather than diagnosis.

Thank you. Good to know that there isn't a hidden benefit that I hadn't thought of.