ADHD diagnosis

JustPete

Is it possible for a 14yr old to have ADHD, be known to social services and school for 'issues in his life' but for the school to be unaware of an ADHD diagnosis and ongoing test for autism?

Tori_Scope

Sorry if I've misunderstood your post @JustPete, but I was just wondering whether anyone has told the school that they have ADHD, and are undergoing assessments for autism? 

JustPete

Well that's what I'm wondering.  If a 14yr old boy could have the 'diagnosis' ADHD (and the above issues) but his school NOT know??????

Alex_Alumni

That's a good question @JustPete but I don't have an exact answer!

I would have thought if the boy has an EHCP that this would be noted within the plan- but it could be that he may have chosen not to disclose a specific condition? 

Perhaps @L_Volunteer may be able to shed some light on this, as I'm afraid I don't know enough to be certain.

Harliboo34

I am 50 and everyone has always said I have adhd my daughter was diagnosed at 16 and I’m struggling the older I get 

Harliboo34

I’m on sleeping tablets and anti depressants but nothing helps as well as menopause 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Harliboo34

Welcome to the community! I would encourage you to speak to your GP if you feel having an ADHD assessment may help support you. I'd also recommend speaking to them about the menopause as it is a big life change to your body. There may be something there that is effecting your health and feelings. I know with my mum going through the menopause, she mistakenly attributed a lot of symptoms to her other health issues. 

Harliboo34

I did go to my gp 18 months I been waiting for the adult adhd clinic to get back to me my gp said I have all the symptoms.. when my daughter was diagnosed they said to me you do realize it’s hereditary.. and you haven’t sat still the whole time and you talk to fast I laughed it off at the time but the older I get the worse it gets I can’t sleep at all

Jimm_Alumni

It is indeed hereditary, a current theory that is popular is it's a genetic adaptation from when we were hunter gatherers. We get more easily distracted by things == we could more easily spot dangers approaching the ground. So it's still going around in our genes being passed down.

It's a long, long waiting list because of the lack of funding and the greater awareness/understanding means more people are realising they likely have it and so are going for diagnosis. Especially adults who did have, or hid well, the "traditional" symptoms in a child when it was less well understood.

dkb123

they told me 18 months to get to a conversation about my case and then another 18 months to diagnosis, it was just unacceptable, I paid the private fee and got an appointment in 3 daysDoctors in England told not to start new patients on ADHD drugs due to shortage (msn.com)