how do they decide on a diagnosis of ADHD or Aspergers?

[blushingm]

My DS (6.4y) has been seen twice by the educational psychologist, has been referred for occuaptional therapy and has been scheduled to be observed by the school doctor. At the last meeting with the educational psycholost i mentioned aspergers and they kind of said we were thinking that be don't want to say it until more has been seen/done

If they do decide he has aspergers or ADHD or both what will happen then?

[wolfjane]

my ds was diagonosed with high functioning autism when he was nearly 6, he 7 now, it has made a big difference, it may depend on the area you live in as to what is available. He has had treatment since the age of 2 anyway, as they suspected it then but didn't want to rush the diagnosis. now that they know, the school has applied for a statement for him, so he can have more help. I have had to arrange alot myself, the national autistic society have loads of information on what is in your area. I have found general special needs play days and play centre which suits him as he is pretty antisocial at times! He is now entitled to disabilty living allowance, and we now see a disabled childrens social worker. I am going on a course at the mo called early bird plus ,run by the national autistic society, it is realy good, it is for parents and carers and someone from the school comes too. I've learnt loads. Basically once you have a diagnosis it does mean it is a bit easier to get the right help, still alot of work getting it though! The ed psych and dr will be able to tell you what help they think your ds needs and you should be able to tell them what help you think he needs too.good luck with it all, it does take ages for it all to happen.

[blushingm]

thanks...can i ask did you feel the school sawhim as a problem or were they really supportive?

[evenhope]

My DS is now 18 and was dx with ADHD at 7. He was dx by a child psychiatrist following a number of tests.

Unless things have changed a lot, what will happen depends on whether the dx is ADHD or HFA. If the latter, then what wolfjane says. If ADHD you will probably have to fight for anything he needs.

Initially school was helpful because the YR teacher was also the SENCO, but higher up the school he was just a problem.

He couldn't cope with the noise and bustle of a normal primary school classroom. Too much going on at once. We had a couple of incidents in Y2 where he left the classroom (and no-one noticed , once to look for his sister (Y6) and once because he fancied a walk around the field! Their attitude to us when they told us was accusatory rather than apologetic.

He transferred for Y3 to a private school where the class of 16 sat in rows facing the teacher and all did the same thing at once to a strict routine. He blossomed.

[wolfjane]

my ds's school are great with him, he is in yr 2 at the moment,he really struggles and is totally behind the rest of the class, but they have just applied for a statement for him.there are other children in higher yrs with asd's and adhd, they are all supported, probably depends on the school alot, i have heard some bad stories from other parents at other schools.I t has helped that i have worked at my ds's school, so know exactly what is going on!

[Niecie]

Hi blushingm - my DS1 has been dx with mild AS and dyspraxia.

An ed psych is not able to dx this and your DS will need to be referred to a paed by your GP for an assessment (although the school doctor may be able to make this referral, I don't know). My DS was then referred on by the paed to the SALT, OT and clinical psych who then made the dx. It was a team effort but the clinical psych makes the dx and the others work together to provide the programme of therapy, if appropriate.

He now has a programme with the SALT and OT but he has never seen an ed psych.

At 6.4yrs they should be able to do the diagnosis. When my DS started the long, drawn out process of dx he was 4 y.o. and they were not keen on labelling him then but they didn't have the same problem 18 mths later.

Why do you think your DS has AS? There is a big overlap between AS and dyspraxia and I am guessing that your DS has some coordination problems if he is being referred to an OT?

[blushingm]

HI NIECIE Yes he's quite clumsy, has problems using a knife and fork, spills things quite regularly, his handwriting is very untidy and he still can do up buttons or those metal fastenings on trousers. Socks and shoes he also finds hard

I was thinking aspergers as he has some issues socially. Since he ws about 18 months he's been quite agressive particularly when in larger groups of kids...ie school, especially boys. He's often arguing with his friends if there is a group of 3 or more - one to one he's normally ok. He also just doesn't seens to see the link between name calling/insults and hurting feelings. He also has trouble when it comes to the appropriate behaviour in certain situations and he just started name calling etc- the other kids know to use use language out of ear shot of teachers but he'll use it to their face ..... we were called in to see the head as he called a dinner lady a fat cow