Possible ADHD?

[Mikkiplum]

my daughter is 7 and shows the majority of symptoms for ADHD. She is regularly in trouble for her behaviour.

How do I go about getting her assessed?

[Hidden]

There are many reasons for behaviour and lack of attention; not always ADHD. But seeking support and advice will help you get access to support and possibly assessment for your daughter. Arrange to see your daughter's school SENCO or visit your GP or child development centre; the medical routes are usually quicker but it may be the CAMHS centre that picks it up (child and adolescent mental health service). Good luck!

[Portcullis]

Avoid medical intervention at all costs. So-called symptoms are behaviours reacting to difficulties or traumas in life. Psychotropic drugs (e.g. Ritalin etc) numb minds into submission in the short run, but solve nothing in the long run and can have appalling effects on brains, minds and bodies in the longer term. I have been a foster carer for 20 years and worked in a school for children with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties for nine years, so am very familiar with 'ADHD' behaviours. Try googling 'does ADHD exist?', search for the same on Amazon Books and Youtube. You will find plenty of books, lectures and discussions by experts in the field who are critical of the medical/psychiatric model, e.g. Peter Breggin M.D. (US), 'Talking Back to Ritalin', Angela Southall (Head of Specialist Children's Services, South Staffs. Healthcare NHS Trust), 'The Other Side of ADHD'

[Steffi_27]

It's clear from the comments here their is still a lot of stigma attached to ADHD, it's easy to judge others from the comfort of your own home!

Please do not let these comments deter you from seeking help for your daughter. It has been suggested that medication has appalling effects on the brain and has no helpful effect however their are studies which prove ADHD undiagnosed and untreated can lead to addiction later in life.

I am a mother of 4, my 10 year old was diagnosed with ADHD at 7years, we suspect my 9 yr old has ADHD too. It has been proven to run in families, my nephews and niece have ADHD as does my husband.

All referrals now go through the school. Have a chat with her teacher and the school senco, it may be a year of obs before a referral though xx

[Portcullis in reply to Steffi_27]

Actually, there is research that indicates that Ritalin etc are 'gateway' drugs that are associated with substance abuse later in life.

'ADHD' does seem 'to run in families' and the conventional wisdom promoted by many psychiatrists and the drug industry is that this is due to genetic predisposition to 'chemical imbalances in the brain' for which there is, in fact, no credible evidence. The evidence is out there for all to see. Be sceptical about those with vested interests. If you find the books on the subject too heavy going, there are lectures and discussions on Youtube by experts ranging from a few minutes in length to well over an hour.

'ADHD' is social and psychological issue, not a medical one.

[Steffi_27 in reply to Portcullis]

Find books too heavy going? Do not patronise me! im very well educated and have studied adhd in depth prior to my sons diagnosis. As i said, its easy to judge others from the comfort of your own home. Maybe you should lay off youtube and start reading journals.

It is 'well evidenced' that untreated adhd leads to addiction and various other problems later in life!

The mere fact that you consider it a social issue and not a medical one shows what little understanding of adhd you have and further illustrates my point of the stigma attached to adhd still.

The OP has come looking for advice not to be told its a social problem!! That is a great way to imply blame where there is no blame to lay. Please take your negativity elsewhere.

Have a good day

[Portcullis in reply to Steffi_27]

I'm sorry you're so easily offended. Do calm down.

[Portcullis in reply to Portcullis]

Oh, and where is all this 'stigma' nonsense coming from?

[Hidden]

Take her to the doctors explain they will refer to the hospital and u will get a form to answer and so will the school they then pass back to hospital they assess it

[Muminspire1]

Everyone has a personal opinion on issues and no one should feel patronised. The best way forward is to work with the school and the Gp to get a solution. If one parent decides the medical route is best for their child then that is fine and if another is against it then that is fine too for their situation. We all have to respect others opinions and agree to disagree on sensitive issues without taking things personal. By the end of the day what works for one's family and children might not work for the other. This is a platform for getting help and support. You don't have to take all the suggestions but you choose what you agree with. People have different opinions and suggestions and we have to respect each other and not start arguments. The world doesn't see things one way. There is different ways and angles of looking at things.

[Portcullis]

Why should a differing opinion imply disrespect?

[Steffi_27 in reply to Portcullis]

It is not a differing opinion that implies disrespect, it is the way that opinion is conveyed.

[Portcullis in reply to Steffi_27]

Hey ho - glasshouses and throwing stones...

The OP asked a question, advice was offered, I threw in my twopennyworth and gave references to academic critics of 'ADHD' as a medical disorder, you came back with your comments. I then tried to suggest that looking at Youtube could be an easier, quicker and cheaper way to investigate the 'anti-medical' point of view than having to track down, buy and then read books of several hundred pages each.

Respond to the real issues raised instead of going off on a tangent about some alleged stigma and claiming to be patronised.

[Steffi_27]

Just to add, if it transpires your daughter does have ADHD it does not automatically infer medication. Support is key, not only from mental health teams but from support groups too. For you and your daughter. it's surprising how reassuring it is for our kids to know they're not alone! And having someone to turn to when things get tough.

If medication turns out to be the best option for you in the future then so be it, there is no shame in it.

We have to do what we think is best for our children, regardless what anyone else thinks!

[Portcullis in reply to Steffi_27]

Informed choice is the key. Do vet any support and advocacy groups you come across. Internationally many are set up and /or funded by the drug companies that push the medications 'for ADHD'; draw your own conclusions.

[87lucy in reply to Steffi_27]

From a concerned mother, thank you for your advice!