How do I help DS who I think may have ADHD?

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nissi
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:24 pm
Location: surrey

How do I help DS who I think may have ADHD?

Post by nissi »

Please help. I think my son may have ADHD. He finds it difficult to concentrate on tasks for longer than 10 minutes at a time. He is of average or higher than average general intelligence, but finds writing tasks in particular difficult. He is very disorganised and his work is poorly presented. Up till now I have hoped that he would grow out of it, but he is now in year 5 and it is becoming more obvious as I try to help with preparing for 11 plus.

Any advice general or specific would be appreciated! :?
Snowdrops
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Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:20 pm

Post by Snowdrops »

Nissi, have you spoken to his class teacher? Does he/she have any concerns?
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yoyo123
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Post by yoyo123 »

speak to the teacher in the first instance and then ask to see the senco.

Some targets for attention and concentration may well help.

ADHD is an inability to filter out any stimuli. quiet working conditions and 'less hectic' presentation of tasks can help a lot.

google ADHD and you will find lots of info..

I've found this site useful

http://www.adders.org/
nissi
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:24 pm
Location: surrey

Post by nissi »

Thank you Yoyo123 and Snowdrops.I have read a few things on the ADDers site and have found them useful.

I have spoken to his teachers and they have thought itis just immaturity, but I think I should get my GP to refer him for an assessment now.

Concerned about what kind of secondary school to consider for him etcI don't enat him to feeloverwhelmed and also don't want him overlooked!
Gman
Posts: 99
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:23 am

Post by Gman »

He sounds like a normal 10 year old. If he is keeping up with the school work, albeit in a slightly haphazard manner, he is fine.

Rather than getting him labeled and dosed, spend time with him yourself, help him with his homework. You may find he is bored and he is ahead of others in his class.
Morning Glory
Posts: 310
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:46 pm
Location: Bucks

Post by Morning Glory »

I used to think my DS was lazy. Since he started school he has always had problems with handwriting, organising his work on a page etc. Was aware of some issues but didn't really take much notice just thought he had a few issues that would come out in the wash. It was only when he had some major social problems in Year 4 that I realised he'd always been different but was not quite sure why.

He had wanted to know why he was different for a long time, I wasn't sure why he was different so used to put off speaking to anyone not really knowing what to say. In the end I rang a Educational Psychologist who advised me that he thought he may have Aspergers. The penny dropped and everything slotted into place. He was diagnosed last June 09 (Year 5), we had a private Educational Psychology Assessment in August 09 which showed intellectually he is in the top 5% but his literacy skills were age appropriate so a real miss match. I would never have known he was so intelligent from his school work as he has great difficulty getting what he know on paper. We requested adjustments for the 11+ but he still didn't pass but we won our appeal earlier this year.

I'm not saying your son has AS or ADHD but what I would say is I had mothers instinct that all was not as it seemed and was constantly assured everything was fine. I was very worried about DS having a label but to be quite honest it has opened doors for us, people sit up and listen a piece of a paper giving a diagnosis is so much more powerful than a mother saying he has difficulty putting his thoughts on paper.

DS is off to Grammar School in September, I don't think it is going to be easy for him but I am currently fighting to get the support in place he will need.

Good luck - but go with your instinct.

MG

If you have concerns and can afford it I would personally have an EP assesssment done. It tells you so much about your child and how they learn but they aren't cheap.
Snowdrops
Posts: 4667
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:20 pm

Post by Snowdrops »

I agree that if Nissi has concerns she should seek an educational psychologist's report. But she shouldn't have to pay for it.

Unfortunately I don't know how to advise her going about getting one (my eldest dd had one from a very young age - 4 - which was prompted by 'the powers that be' because of general delays from being a baby and approaching school age).

It has been suggested contacting the Senco for the school, but do they initiate ed psych reports? Does anyone know who can do this?
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yoyo123
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Post by yoyo123 »

yes the Senco can help, The LEA will have ed psychs who work with a group of schools. Outside agencies like speech therapy, specialist teaching services , ed psych etc can discuss children at In School Review (usually held termly) and ask for referral.
I have referred several children for assessment in the past. GP can also help.
nissi
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:24 pm
Location: surrey

Post by nissi »

MG, Snowdrops and Yoyo- thanks.

Have now requested an assessment through the GP. I am pretty sure my instincts are on the money. Just want DS supported. It is really difficult watching him struggle and to know what to do to help him at home.

How have you coped MG- any tips? You and your DS have done so well getting into GS. I wish him well. How difficult was it to choose a school for him, knowing the problems he has?
Morning Glory
Posts: 310
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:46 pm
Location: Bucks

Post by Morning Glory »

We have always known our son was different but it was in Year 4 he had some major social issues that everything came to a head. From that point on we tried to get him assessed through the school system but because he was keeping up with his peers and had no behavioural problems the LA EP has always refused. He was put on School Action back in 2007 with little support, although he did get a year of play therapy which was fantastic. In Year 5 when he did his CATs his class teacher got him to answer the paper using the question sheet and not transposing his answers to the answer sheet. To our amazement his CATs scores went from the 40th percentile upto the 95th percentile. A huge jump. I really didn't realise how bright he was as at parents evening and feedback its always so negative about what he can't do, his speed and his books are a real mess. People started to say you expect him to pass the 11+ don't you and I would say well no not really. His play therapist thought he was well above his years and was a great support. In light of the CATs scores I went to see the HT to ask about adjustments for the 11+ (at this time we didn't have a diagnosis or EP assessment) she put in for an enlarged answer sheet and a break. DS had always wanted to know why he was different but I wasn't sure who to go to or what to say to them. I rang an EP to enquire about an assessment hoping this would give us and DS some answers. He suggested DS might have Aspergers. I did some research and booked a appointment with the GP. He was diagnosed in June 09 and we had a private EP assessment done in August 09 (only because as I said LA EP won't see him). In Sept we went back to HT and she requested extra time for 11+ in light in recommendation from EP but that was refused.

DS struggled through the 11+ and failed but we went to appeal and won proving that it was not an appropritate way to test him and proving he was academically able.

When looking at schools I did a lot of research met with the SENCO at each school and asked a lot of questions. Our catchment secondary school were not able to tell me they would be able to stretch him intellectually, while supporting his other needs. So there was no way he was going to go there. I then went to another secondary which is out of catchment but not far away and they were much better and more supportive. The Grammar school he is going to is the school that everyone told me I needed to get him into (apparently it has an excellent reputation with boys with AS) and luckily it was our catchment GS.

I have applied for DS to have a statutory assessment, but that was refused so am now in the process of appealing. He has just been granted extra time for his Year 6 SATs and will have a scribe.

I think you are doing the right thing going to see your GP, do stand your ground, don't get fobbed off and follow your instincts.

Sorry if I've rambled on - but I hope it helps

MG
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