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ADHD in girls and private diagnosis

caledonia September 2, 2013 09:26
HiI have asked for a referral to a centre to get DD (11) assessed for ADHD (I know symptoms are similar to attachment but want something for her transition to secondary school). I have been told there is an 18 week wait for an intial triage appointment and then another 18 months wait for the assessment to start at this local centre.As DD strarts secondary school next year I want to get this assessment done asap and so want to go private.Can anyone recommend a private person / organisation I could take her too? We are in Scotland but would be willing to travel for the right person.ThanksCalex
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Hen September 2, 2013 18:54
I'm not in your area, but just wanted to say if you go down the private route, make sure your local CAMHS/ GP would be happy to fund any proposed medication or if not, what the likely future cost implications are. Our CAMHS will only fund medication if the diagnosis comes from them. Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear but definitely worth checking - you may be fine.
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Flosskirk September 2, 2013 19:46
That's a ridiculous time frame. Sadly, services in Scotland for adhd and asd seem pretty poor - my nephews have both and also had to spend years in the queue to be seen.So I am not sure what you can do to speed things up.I do know someone who was diagnosed privately and she gets the medication from CAMHS, so it is possible. She started off at the Priory - it was incredibly expensive.Angel Adams used to assess for adhd but I'm not so sure now.Personally, I wouldn't jump to an adhd conclusion. It is better to get a full developmental assessment or see professionals who can help with school.You might be better seeing an experienced ed psych and perhaps an OT. I did this re my daughter - it was a lot more helpful than the add diagnosis (in fact it was the ed psych who picked up on the adhd and suggested I get it checked out).So you might want to go down this route. The cross over between OT and adhd is also huge - sensory issues etc.But it has to be someone who understands complex needs children and early trauma etc. Don't just use a standard local professional, even one who is recommended by other parents locally. It has to be an expert. You could chat to SOS!SEN and see if they have any names in Scotland they could recommend.
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Willow637 September 2, 2013 21:49
Just wanted to say that I feel your pain. We are not in Scotland but we started on this journey last Dec and still awaiting a diagnosis. Next appointment in 2 weeks. Hope all goes well x
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FIM September 2, 2013 22:32
We had ADHD dx very quickly once we went down getting our son assessed for attachment!I do have the number of one of the psychologists who wrote the NICE guidelines for ADHD for English NHS and in my experience they often know colleagues in other parts of the UK and by phoning and talking to them you find out who you might be best seeing. I found this person after contacting several other local psychologist, several of whom gave the same name.
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Milly September 2, 2013 23:07
You could try ADDISS - charity which supports people with ADHD. We have found them knowledgeable about this kind of thing.
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Donatella September 3, 2013 09:51
Are you sure it's ADHD you want her assessed for? I have a son with an ADHD dx as well as asd. As part of her diagnostic process my daughter was assessed for ADHD as well as asd. She was found not to have ADHD but she does have autism.She has a lot of the fidgetiness that my son has and a lot of the behaviours look like his but there's still quite a difference. His behaviour pre and post meds clearly ramp up till they're quite unbearable. Hers, without meds, stay pretty level and seem to be more sensory seeking behaviours.Might be worth asking for an ot assessment or looking into an asd assessment?
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Hen September 3, 2013 11:45
Here they won't medicate for ADHD unless asd has been ruled out.This was via CAMHS, but it was a long wait.
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caledonia September 3, 2013 12:30
Thanks for all the replies and messages I have recieved. I am open to any diagnosis but ADHD seems to fit best her behaviors: easily distracted;disorganised; really untidy; careless with belongings and tasks; slap dash; fotgetful and day dreamy; always talking - often about nothing and interupts all the time; blurts out whatever is in her head without thinking about it - no verbal filter; easily upset.I had not thought about ASD to be honest and alot of the issues could be due to attachment but I wanted to get her assessed. The responses have just confirmed that I need to be clear what I am looking for and not just ask for an ADHD assessment!Thanks again for your comments - most helpful.CaleX
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Donatella September 3, 2013 13:01
Have you seen the Coventry grid? Think its on resources but easy to find.I suppose given that I have two with asd dx, one of whom also has ADHD it's fairly easy for me to compare their things. And they're both quite different. Asd can and often look different in girls and often gets missed.Another good book is The Out of Synch child which looks at sensory issues.
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Flosskirk September 3, 2013 21:26
My daughter was diagnosed with adhd in year 5 but I am now wondering if it is the correct diagnosis. It was a pretty stand-alone diagnosis. A few months ago I took her to CAMHS (again) because of her anxiety and they think she is autistic. And she's 15.What really bugs me is, I bumped into the senco from her infant school a few weeks ago and told her about this new development and she said "it wouldn't surprise me" and I thought - well why didn't you say something at the time?!!ASD in girls is very difficult to diagnose apparently. Most people have no idea what it looks like. It can be different to in boys.I would keep an open mind personally.BTW a lot of what you describe could also come under the heading of 'executive functioning' difficulties.
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