I’ve just read One in 14 children (or rather their parents) are currently claiming DLA for ADHD or autism.

How many times do I have to say that ADHD and children who are uncontrollable in the classroom are not synonymouse with bad behaviour.

neither DGS DS or myself have ever caused any problems of discipline to a teacher, w may wriggle a lot, we may lose concentration, but none of us has ever, even caused a teacher a moments concern over behaviour.

This just came up on my tablet.

news.stv.tv/east-central/nhs-forth-valley-axe-autism-assessment-team-with-almost-900-on-waiting-list

DD has been advised by DGD (7) teachers to get her assessed for ADHD/ASD. She has had various problems/issues since she was about 3 and in nursery. There is no likelihood of any benefits at all and parents have resisted having her assessed up to now as didn't want her 'labelled' but school are pushing it as concerned she may not cope at secondary. The school (state primary) have actually been pretty amazing so far, so if they think she needs assessment then I am sure they are right.

Sadly the autistic unit in the mainstream comprehensive my grandson attended closed when funding was withdrawn after 10 years. It was so good: somewhere to withdraw to when the going got tough and people to support him.

"It’s definitely on the up I can see £signs as soon as they ask for a diagnosis!"

You do know you don't need a diagnosis of Autism/ADHD to claim DLA?
So your comment about seeing £ signs is rubbish, parents want a diagnosis for support for their child.

Musicgirl

I have a son who is autistic and went to a special school. We had to fight really hard to get the correct diagnosis for him back in the nineties. He has done very well, but will always be vulnerable. I worked at his school for some years and saw different disabilities including ADHD. It was almost a case of peeling these children down from the ceiling when they were in certain moods. My daughter has mild Asperger's syndrome, but the traits are obvious. I have taught children with dyslexia, ADHD and autism, most of whom were in mainstream school and who very obviously had these conditions. However, l have noticed the rise in diagnoses in children who have no appearance of any syndrome whatsoever. Nearly all these children seem to be from middle class homes. There is even a "syndrome" called ODD. This stands for Oppositional Defiance Disorder - my definition would be a very naughty child who is answering back. I think my favourite definition, which I once read,for the many dubious ADHD diagnoses is Adults Don't Have Discipline.

Thank you for this Musicgirl. You present the other side of the coin, that dies exist, in a n informed yet empathetic way.
Bravo.

glasshalffullagain

Kayteetay1

What is the data source for this?

Oh no need for that. Off the top of the head. Light the blue touch paper and sit back.

Stop being silly.

It was undiagnosed years ago.

However, I do wonder if poor diet or some of today's fast foods or non-foods could be a factor in such conditions as ADHD?

Slushies were mentioned as a potential hazard for children on the news this evening as an ingredient, glycerol, can be toxic to young children. In the drive to reduce sugar from our diets by Governments, such sweeteners as glycerol, aspartame etc are increasingly used and could be counter-productive and in some cases, dangerous.

Iam64

Harris27 - are you involved in diagnosis

No but somebody knows somebody who was a doctor so that's nearly the same?

Harris27 - are you involved in diagnosis

It’s definitely on the up I can see £signs as soon as they ask for a diagnosis!

My grandaughter has autism and her parents are struggling to cope with her needs. Her school is underfunded and understaffed (like many schools, sadly) and are also finding it difficult to cope. She is not a 'badly behaved' child as some of you here seem to think. Autism and adhd are neurological and developmental disorders and appear on a wide ranging spectrum. Please do not judge these kids (or adults). Neither they nor their parents are faking it.

Kayteetay1

What is the data source for this?

Google provides many research programmes that confirm the increase anyone working in any capacity with children and families will be aware of. There is a big increase in the diagnosis of ASD.
A Guardian article in March 2024 found a 787% rise in the number of diagnoses between 1998 and 2018 in the UK. 80 years ago, autism was thought to affect one in 2,500 children. That has gradually increased and now one in 36 children are believed to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
The consensus seems to be that there is no plausible reason to conclude there is an increase in children or adults with ASD, it’s that clinicians recognise it and there is broadening of diagnostic criteria

In my family circle, a 72 year old who previously saw his now adult son as a challenge (despite adult assessment adhd)nhas been researching because his grandchild is under assessment. The grandfather has been researching, reading etc and now recognises he is neuro diverse and his genes are in the family. It’s improving relationships and wouldn’t have happened if the Senco at his grandchild’s school hadn’t recognised the need for additional support for a delightful, kind, helpful, bright 6 year old

I am sure it is probably different as they get older, I only deal with the littlies

Galaxy

That isnt true for the early years, schools can apply for funding without an ehcp. Schools would certainly collapse in our area if that wasnt the case.

Sorry of course you’re right, I should have specified that I was just looking at it from additional resource, long term, from an LSA

glasshalffullagain

*It’s very easy to be dismissive of all sorts of things when it hasn’t entered your own family’s orbit*

Ain't that the truth.

Also it's increasingly difficult for some people to comprehend that more than one thing may be occuring at once. A child may have additional needs and be dealing with poor boundaries at home. Or have an ideal home life and additional needs.

Ain’t this the truth

Kayteetay1

What is the data source for this?

Oh no need for that. Off the top of the head. Light the blue touch paper and sit back.

It’s very easy to be dismissive of all sorts of things when it hasn’t entered your own family’s orbit

Ain't that the truth.

Also it's increasingly difficult for some people to comprehend that more than one thing may be occuring at once. A child may have additional needs and be dealing with poor boundaries at home. Or have an ideal home life and additional needs.

What is the data source for this?

Thanks MOnica for your recent post.

The increase in diagnosis of autism in its various forms is in part due to greater awareness in schools, parents, health professionals.
We used to ship many children who struggled in main stream. off to residential boarding schools. No doubt many of them were on the spectrum, or living with dyslexia/dyspraxia etc or adhd. Wretched places and inclusion, or small special schools is a much fairer, less damaging approach.
As well as greater awareness, I’ve seen concerns about the possible impact of the chemicals that surround us.

I’m just shocked, saddened and despairing of some of the comments and ignorance on this thread. It’s very easy to be dismissive of all sorts of things when it hasn’t entered your own family’s orbit. The struggle and long wait to get a diagnosis at present for neuro diverse children is horrendous in many parts of the country. Then a diagnosis does not guarantee the appropriate support will be put in place or even adhered to in some schools. I’ve seen 1st hand the distress and mental ill health that this can cause. However I have also seen how young people can thrive and “fly” both academically and personally in supportive environments. I could not be more proud of my neurodiverse granddaughters and their parents, believe me it’s been a hard road with many tears shed along the way - including my own. Thank goodness for the voices of reason (you know who you are) on this thread, these are just the sort folk my granddaughters have needed to cheer them on.

Generally what is happening now due to numbers is that many schools are creating specialist units within their mainstream school.

That isnt true for the early years, schools can apply for funding without an ehcp. Schools would certainly collapse in our area if that wasnt the case.

Btw, classes do not get extra help or schools additional funding until said child has been fully assessed and has either an EHCP (Educational Health and Care Plan) or Statement of Special Education Needs in place and even then it is very rare to get high enough funding for a full time 1-2-1 Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant.

When out for lunch recently with my DB and DSiL we were talking about the number of people being diagnosed with ADHD etc, and we couldn’t recall many people behaving badly as some people do now and who blame it on their condition. My DB and I could only recall one girl in our school who’s behaviour was extremely bad, but you could tell from a look on her face and you knew to get out of her way because everything would be sent in all directions including her hands, feet and any furniture close by was used as weapons