Hi all, I have 2 children aged 6 and 9 and live in an area where school has to make referrals for a child to be assessed for ADHD. I have ADHD and both my children display significant symptoms. Despite one being on the SEN register at school, school are telling me that ‘you wouldn’t know’ there were any neurodiversity issues so they wouldn’t want to make a referral to the GP. My daughter melts down within minutes of leaving school so clearly masks all day
Does anyone have any tips on where to go from here. I feel totally lost.
Than you in advance.
Hello, that’s a tough situation, and masking is common in school environments.
The main thing to know is that you can speak to your GP directly to refer your child. Share what you’ve observed outside of school and what you’re noticing around potential masking. If their GP is hesitant to refer, you can ask them what the local referral routes look like, as well as for signposted services in your area for extra support, whilst you access referral routes.
I hope you find a helpful route soon. Others in the community here might have some more ideas, or their own similar experiences to share!
I had exactly the same situation with my son. I went to the senco at school as his meltdowns at home and executive function were becoming really really hard to deal with. She said she hadn’t noticed anything but was great and went through the form with me and took me seriously. She has referred him for me and we’re on the waiting list now. Hope you can get something sorted soon for your kid, it’s so hard when others don’t see it and you get paranoid that people will think you’re making it up, or that your kid is just naughty at home.