more help re my son possible diagnosis

pandora205

Who was this 'independent doctor'? Was it an educational or clinical psychologist, and if so, did they carry out a cognitive assessment? Were basic literacy and numeracy skills not assessed too? Did they not spot that he has apparent learning difficulties in writing and maths? This all sounds very strange to me, and it would be unlikely but not impossible that a child's functioning would be in the top 1% (above 99% population) if this had not been spotted before.

With regards to the diagnosis of ADHD, this is only a summary of types of difficulty presented not a life sentence. This is the NICE guidance on ADHD in children and young people:

I]ADHD is a valid clinical disorder that can be distinguished from coexisting conditions (although it is most commonly comorbid) and the normal spectrum. ADHD differs from the normal spectrum because there are high levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity and/or inattention that result in significant psychological, social and/or educational or occupational impairment that occurs across multiple domains and settings and persists over time.

1.3.1.1 A diagnosis of ADHD should only be made by a specialist psychiatrist, paediatrician or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in the diagnosis of ADHD, on the basis of:

a full clinical and psychosocial assessment of the person; this should include discussion about behaviour and symptoms in the different domains and settings of the person's everyday life, and

a full developmental and psychiatric history, and

observer reports and assessment of the person's mental state. [2008]

1.3.1.2 A diagnosis of ADHD should not be made solely on the basis of rating scale or observational data. However rating scales such as the Conners' rating scales and the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire are valuable adjuncts, and observations (for example, at school) are useful when there is doubt about symptoms. [2008]

1.3.1.3 For a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity and/or inattention should:

meet the diagnostic criteria in DSM‑IV or ICD‑10 (hyperkinetic disorder),[2] and

be associated with at least moderate psychological, social and/or educational or occupational impairment based on interview and/or direct observation in multiple settings, and

be pervasive, occurring in two or more important settings including social, familial, educational and/or occupational settings. [2008]

As part of the diagnostic process, include an assessment of the person's needs, coexisting conditions, social, familial and educational or occupational circumstances and physical health. For children and young people, there should also be an assessment of their parents' or carers' mental health.

1.3.1.4 ADHD should be considered in all age groups, with symptom criteria adjusted for age‑appropriate changes in behaviour. [2008]

1.3.1.5 In determining the clinical significance of impairment resulting from the symptoms of ADHD in children and young people, their views should be taken into account wherever possible. [2008][/I]

Has this been followed?

usefulmale

Your son sounds autistic. That covers a very broad range of behaviours.

Our autistic son is quite clever, yet he cannot write very well, spells words phonetically. He cannot grasp that you should show your working out for maths. He just often looks at the sum and does it in his head.

He has a few friends, and his small stature and keen sense of humour probably help but most interactions are on his terms.

Socially, he is at least 2 years behind everyone else. However, he is very well behaved and shows willing to do the schoolwork, even though that is quite stressful for him.

iammumtoone

pandora205 wrote: »

Who was this 'independent doctor'? Was it an educational or clinical psychologist, and if so, did they carry out a cognitive assessment? Were basic literacy and numeracy skills not assessed too? Did they not spot that he has apparent learning difficulties in writing and maths? This all sounds very strange to me, and it would be unlikely but not impossible that a child's functioning would be in the top 1% (above 99% population) if this had not been spotted before.

An educational psychologist. To be be honest I don't believe the tests results, whilst my son is clearly bright he is not 1% of the population. The school did a non-verbal Mensa type test on him, he came out top 10% which is probably closer to reality. Although I only know this interpretation of result as I googled it, the schools response to his score was "ok around average!"

I don't understand it either, yes they spotted he couldn't form letters but made no reason for it. His maths came out ok in a one to one situation. They did not speak to his teacher (he was busy teaching) and on the day he came both the senco and headteacher were not in so there was nobody he could speak to get an understanding how his work is in the classroom.

I dont know what a cognitive assessment is, they carried out a series of tests some he came out higher than others most of them he was above average for his age.

iammumtoone

pandora205 wrote: »

Has this been followed?

No idea but reading it, I don't think so.

Thanks for that maybe I have jumped the gun and read the letter wrong and the next step is to follow more of that path. I will certainly be raising it at my next appointment.

ceb1995

iammumtoone wrote: »

I have posted about issues I have with my son many times my last is here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5501990

I am reluctant to post on this board for fear of some of the responses but I want advice so I will have to take the bad (with hopefully some good) I welcome constructive criticism but respectably ask that you think before you post that there is a very scared/confused mother at the end of this.

background - will try to keep this brief

Son aged 5 first visit to pediatrician regarding possible issues. I did not instigate this, although I had voiced concerns to my health visitor and school. Questionnaire was sent to school who said they had no concerns. Behavior was put down to parenting and the fact me and his father had split.

Son now 9 still very difficult to parent, showing some issues at school but educational rather than behavioral. I decided I would get help so another appointment with pediatrician via GP referral. Again questionnaire sent out to school and school report no problems. This time the doctor decided they would send in an independent specialist to monitor him in classroom/play (he didn't know about this)

In the meantime due to pressure from me, school also got an independent doctor (regarding educational difficulties) to speak to him, although despite me asking they did not monitor him in classroom environment it was one to one. School doctor said he was very intelligent (top 1%) and no issues. I did question why if he was top 1% with his tests how come he is in bottom sets for everything and can't even form his letters / spell/ do simple maths calculations. Nobody had an answer.

Now to my point
I had a letter from hospital they think he has adhd. I don't, I have seen children with this on the tv. My son is more difficult than other children his age but he is not that bad. I really don't understand how can it be from the school saying no issues for 5 years suddenly after just one monitoring session from someone they think he has this?
I am so confused/upset I am well aware that his condition is miss diagnosed with bad parenting (what they said all along up until now).
I fought so hard for someone to tell me if there is an issue or not, now they have I don't want it . I am in two minds what to do, part of me wants to say thats not it we will manage like we always have he is still the same child as he was yesterday a 'label' doesn't change that he is still my boy. Then I think but at least with a diagnoses (whether its right or not) we might get help and at least I have more voice with the school to stop punishing him when he can't necessarily help it.

Whoops I said I would keep it brief that is far for that

I'm not a parent but I am an adult with dyslexia and dyspraxia and my experience was that my school took no notice to that fact I had any difficulties until i got a diagnosis/label (the fact that i was coping just at the bottom of the class in work but when they spoke to me i came across a lot more eloquently) , with my mum's experience with my sister things are slightly improving (she's recently got diagnosed with aspergers but they're also reconsidering dyspraxia as a possibility) she got some support without a diagnosis but not much, now at least my mum has a more solid legal standpoint to use.
So although labelling isnt always seen as positive, hopefully having one will get him some sort of support.
You mention he has some dyslexic traits, have they ruled out all the other dys also (i presume so since testing is similar and done by an ed psych or ot's officially for dyspraxia), if so if he's having difficulties socially then aspergers is a possibility i suppose if they haven't already looked into it?

pandora205

I dont know what a cognitive assessment is, they carried out a series of tests some he came out higher than others most of them he was above average for his age.

A cognitive assessment is broadly an IQ test and compares a child's ability with population norms. Did you get a copy of the report as this should give detail and clarify levels reached during assessment?

iammumtoone

pandora205 wrote: »

A cognitive assessment is broadly an IQ test and compares a child's ability with population norms.

Yes thats it. I got a copy it mentions centile the lowest he scored was 86 the highest 99. In his summery he mentions top 1% but as said before I don't believe that is the case.

I never could get the school to answer the question why if he could do that on one to one with the psychologist he can't at least be average in class. (he is bottom in class). I think they have just put it down to him not trying enough but don't want to outwardly say that. He does try at school he hates the fact he gets picked on due to his writing etc.

pinkshoes

Are you sure he is not bored and under stimulated?

What is his typical routine like?

FBaby

Are you sure your son is not G&T? It is common for some these children to do extremely well at IQ tests, but struggle with school tests. That's because their way of thinking is very different and not adapted to the format of school exams. School exams tests whether they have understood a concept, but for them, that concept is obvious, so they struggle to explain it in structured way. IQ tests test ability to think quickly, and that is what separates them from the norm.

iammumtoone

pinkshoes wrote: »

Are you sure he is not bored and under stimulated?

What is his typical routine like?

FBaby wrote: »

Are you sure your son is not G&T? It is common for some these children to do extremely well at IQ tests, but struggle with school tests. That's because their way of thinking is very different and not adapted to the format of school exams. School exams tests whether they have understood a concept, but for them, that concept is obvious, so they struggle to explain it in structured way. IQ tests test ability to think quickly, and that is what separates them from the norm.

I don't think so (schools must be on the lookout for these children) but its possible certainly something to consider and ask about at my next appointment. If he is G&T why can he not dress himself (he forgets what order to put clothes on, this is recognised at school, he has a separate changing area than the others) or still have toileting accidents (has these at school as well but is very good at covering up).

His routine/day is much the same as any other child of his age. He has a very strict bedtime routine as he doesn't sleep till 12-1 in the morning. I fully accept my parenting is not 100% perfect (who's is) but where bedtime is concerned it really bugs me when everyone says "he just needs a routine" :mad: he has one :mad:

He does have alot of tantrums (home only not school) mainly due to frustration/not understanding instructions. I accept this side of things can be bad parenting/down to me