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Behaviour/development

How to approach GP with concerns of ADHD

12 replies

BringOnTheSunshine · 18/02/2014 13:30

I have booked the first appointment for my son to discuss the possibility of assessment. I am unsure how to broach this subject with the doctor, or if I should take DS (in order to have any medical tests, hearing, bloods etc) or go alone and book a second appointment with DS.

I have also posted this in Special needs:


Briefly as possible...

I have 2 children DS7 and DD5

Our concerns are regarding DS who is struggling at home, school and socially.

DS 3 weeks early weight 5.11
developmentally reached milestones.

3-4 1/2 pre & ante-pre: mild behavioural issues- not sitting still at reading time, loud & boisterous, SALT referral

4 1/2 - 7 P1: Frequent red slips for behaviour. Started on behaviour chart at school, monthly phone calls to teacher for updates. Taking 1 hr to complete very little homework. Teachers felt he was struggling with transition to school and would settle.

P2: I posted when he stared P2 about his struggle with reading, writing, phonics (impossible), inability to concentrate on work/follow instruction/complete work. We discussed this with his teacher and head teacher. Both felt he was immature and were unconcerned. Stated no testing for dyslexia until at least 7 years old. More red slips, teachers state he is lazy as they feel he can do work but sits and stares at it. referred to educational psychologist who suggests 1 hr sessions 2 x weekly for 1-1 support with reading/writing and physical sessions to work on concentration/co-ordination. SALT stopped as they feel he has improved. Learning plan states he is disruptive in class, eats resources and lacks concentration.

P3: Less red slips (only 1 so far since Aug) Learning plan as above but sessions reduced to 1 hr each per fortnight.

Home: has very little volume control, frequently reminded to lower voice, rarely sits still- rolls around floor, jumps on the spot, fidgets while sitting eating or watching TV. overly excitable and angry outbursts - easily frustrated, low self esteem (will say I am stupid, I can't do this, everyone hates me) he is not violent in general but has ... very rarely... hit me in anger. requires frequent reminders/prompting to complete simple tasks (getting washed and dressed) or he becomes distracted. He has awareness of consequences & what is appropriate behaviour but very little to no impulse control. His homework has improved slightly
but that is mainly due to DH working daily getting him to remember words/spellings. He eats paper, pens/pencils, rubber, wood, toys. He has a nervous cough which occurs when he is asked to read/write. He picks at his skin on his face/hands until they bleed and scar.

Socially: clingy, jumping, running can't stand still when we are shopping/talking to other people. Interrupts, growls/shouts etc.
Struggles to make friends and play with groups, hides from other children. He enjoys chase games (superheroes/police) struggles with sports. Can't grasp simple rules for team play.

We were initially concerned that our son may be dyslexic but are also wondering about ADHD and PICA.

DD is having no issues at present she appears to be coping in all areas. She has been copying Ds behaviour at times....interrupting/clinging but those are abnormal behaviour for her.

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Dededum · 18/02/2014 13:36

I would go to the doctor and state your concerns. I did that, then she asked me to make an appointment for DS, he refused to come into the appointment. She then referred me to Educational Psychologist. That is weird, because you go with your kid, you then talk about your concerns in front of child. They ask you about history, then further appointments and diagnosis.

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minipie · 18/02/2014 16:22

Hi, I have no answers to your question I'm afraid (the SN section might be best?) but your description sounds a lot like my sister who is dyspraxic. I may be barking up the wrong tree but just a thought.

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Jinty64 · 18/02/2014 19:34

He sounds very like my ds1 (18) who was dx with ADHD at 7. I went to the GP on my own in the first instant and followed up with an appointment with ds. The GP said I could have asked for a phone appointment to discuss it first so you may want to do that. GP couldn't see anything wrong but referred us to paeds and they knew there was something wrong immediately.

Ds had Ritalin between the ages of 8 and 17.5. Whilst I would say he hasn't yet reached his potential academically he is at college (doing further highers), plays grade 8 violin and has a girlfriend. He is a bit immature and will just take a bit longer to get there but I don't doubt he will.

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tallulah · 18/02/2014 20:38

He sounds very like my DD who has recently been dx with ADHD and dyspraxia.

I went to GP on my own in the first instance. She agreed to refer, but asked for a report from school - correctly assuming they take more notice of school than parents. I got the SENCO to write a report and dropped it in to GP - didn't have to speak to her again.

It has taken 2 years since our initial concerns to get a dx, and a year between visits to the paed.

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weaselm4 · 18/02/2014 20:48

Hi, I went in with a copy of a list for the GP to keep. I'd written all the behaviours my DS exhibited that I thought sounded like ASD (had gone through a book for guidance).

GP looked through list and gave us a referral straightaway.
She is a very good and understanding GP though.

I approached school initially, who said they would be willing to support us, but that it would be quicker to go to GP.

I explained to DS and took him to appointment with me, but placed a lot of emphasis on it just being to do with his brain maybe working a bit differently, and highlighted positives like his affinity with animals and his amazing memory.

We're very early on in the process, so I'm just feeling my way too, but hope that helps.

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BringOnTheSunshine · 18/02/2014 21:14

Thanks for all your replies. I don't know what to do with regards to the school. I have mentioned Dyslexia twice and was shot down. They feel he is just immature and lazy. They just keep saying wait and see.

I have just signed a red slip stating he was sitting in class not working making silly noises.

It took me 2 hours to do 2 pages of addition (he didn't get it done in school) read his book and copy 10 spelling words. No tantrums or drama, he was happy sitting doing it...that is just how long it took. He needs me to focus him on the work, prompt him...what do we do now etc stage by stage for every question. I had to explain what to do each time the question type changed. When he is concentrating he makes odd noises...sometimes loud, but doesn't seem to notice doing it.

I don't expect the teacher to do this in class or tolerate his behaviour!

We feel like the school has already decided he is naughty and lazy so I don't know what support they will give us

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Jinty64 · 18/02/2014 21:22

Yes, one teacher told me there was nothing wrong with ds and if I disciplined him properly at home they wouldn't have a problem in school. I've never been fond of that hopeless teacher.

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BringOnTheSunshine · 18/02/2014 21:28

It is so hard to explain to the teachers. He is not a badly behaved boy. He is clever, imaginative, funny, sweet and loving.

If he needs a punishment...usually time out, natural consequence or removal of treat...he accepts it ...grudgingly and with tears...but no violence. He says sorry etc. Two minutes later he does the same thing again...and again then I end up shouting, sigh

Should I make an appointment to speak with the teachers before the dr on Friday??

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Jinty64 · 19/02/2014 10:20

It is so hard to explain to the teachers. He is not a badly behaved boy. He is clever, imaginative, funny, sweet and loving.

He sounds very like ds1. I always felt he wasn't badly behaved and yet was being told he was. I just knew something didn't tie in. Ds1 is also very clever but wasn't coming over that way in school. He is the sweetest natured boy you could imagine.

Do you know your GP quite well? I had known mine for years (and was pissed of with the school) so that was my first port of call. If school are supportive you old speak with them.

The day we saw the paediatrician she told us that ds almost certainly had DCD (developmental co-ordination disorder). It was only after other assessments had been completed ADHD was diagnosed. Many things can look similar.

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BringOnTheSunshine · 19/02/2014 11:32

We are generally a healthy family so have had very little contact with the GP. I could count on 1 hand the number of times we have been.
I debated contacting the HV but she hasn't seen ds since he was 3 so won't know him any better than the GP.

TBH my daughter is the more wilful and disobedient of the two....but she is managing everything well in all areas and the school love her. Ds will do what is asked with a bit of moaning while dd goes in a huff and ends up getting into trouble because 10 minutes later she is still standing looking at her toys and moaning about it being too hard.

I am booking ds for eye tests and am going to ask the GP to rule out medical issues. hearing or blood problems etc to ensure there is nothing medical causing the problems.

I am going to ask to speak to his teacher and EP to get some feeback about behaviour and ability at school.

I am just crossing my fingers that they will take me seriously and actually do something.

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Fuzzymum1 · 20/02/2014 21:04

When we suspected (correctly) that DS2 has aperger's I made an appointment for him but didn't take him. I said to the doctor "We think Harry may have asperger's and would like him to be referred for assessment" The GP sent of a referral without questioning it or seeing DS beforehand. I didn't want to have to discuss DS infront of him.

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BringOnTheSunshine · 20/02/2014 21:15

I am probably overthinking everything. I am going round in circles thinking I know for sure one second then doubting myself the next. The teachers don't seem concerned so am I being PFB and seeing something that isn't there!

I am going alone to the initial appointment. I have told ds he is getting an eye test next week and will see the teachers next week.

Is it better to state what I think the problem is or drop a list of concerns and see what the dr comes up with?

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