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

First an apology. If my previous posts seemed inciherent - they were!. I am away from home and trying to use a kindle Fire, which is currently completely beyond my control or comprehension and between predictive text, and controls I do not understand. Aaagh!

Any way, I have now managed to get access to DH's little laptop.

There is a lot of lazy thinking going on in some posts, AuntieE is one. Children with ADHD do not kick or spit or run round the classroom, or at least a few might, but the vast majority do not. They are not disruptive in class.

As I have said many times. I and my son have dyspraxia and ADHD, dyspraxia diagnosed 40 years ago, ADHD recognised 30 years ago. Neither of us was disruptive or misbehaved at school. I had a very well disciplined childhood, my father was an army officer, son of an army officer, I grew up with clear boundaries and clear rules of behaviour and was generally considered very well behaved. My children were brought up the same way. I now also have a DGS with ADHD. Neurodiversity is known to be genetic. It is likely that my father was autistic.

Neither me, my son or grandson have been disruptive in school. DGS and I do find it difficult to sit still. We wriggle and jiggle and squirm on our seats and shake our feet or wiggle our fingers. As a child I was known as 'Fidgety Phil who can't keep still' I still am. DH says if he ever sees me sitting prefectly still he will know I am dead. But none of us have got out of our chairs and run round a classroom shouted at a teacher , kicked and spat or done any of the other things people say children with ADHD do.

Much of the problem is mental, difficulty concentrating is a real problem - then hyper concentrating, unable to cope with distraction, to control a mind that is sometimes bouncing like a pea in a pan.

A disproportionate number of those who are academically bright are neurally diverse. Many highly creative and talented people are neurally diverse. Many of us are successful academically and go on to career success.

The reason so many people are being diagnosed with neurally diverse problems now is because it is only recently that those involved in psychological circles have really understood neural diversity and begun to recognise it, first in children, and now in all those adults who have struggled for most of their lives, knowing, like me that they were 'odd' but not knowing why. We are getting 80 years of diagnoses in one go.

Having said all that I can see little reason for the majority of children with ADHD to be on any kind of disability benefit, nor for many to need special education. It takes very little effort to make minor adjustments to accommodate such children.

I can remember talking to my son's teachers about his tendency to not concentrate in class and disappear into a world of his own. ADHD was not known to any of us then, but one teacher would not allow him to have any books on his desk, another just kept asking him questions. another made him sit in the front desk. DGS's teachers are a bit more lenient with him when he forgets to bring everything to class, they may chide him, but not punish him. He has other health problems and again, it has required very minor adjustments by teachers to deal with it.

ReadyMeals

Anything that 1 in 14 of us have should be considered part of our normal range and taken off the list of disabilities. Unless the condition is over a certain threshold of severity they don't cost more. The child's school can get extra funding for assistants where needed but for most children with the usual milder form of the conditions I can't think why they would cost more to raise or accommodate. Autism especially covers a hugely wide spectrum of conditions and most just have personality quirks that need to be managed rather than expensive special needs. I am not saying the conditions are not real, of course.

Good grief! There are no words!

AuntieE

Not holding a degree in medicine, I am not qualified to judge whether all these children really do have ADHD or autism.

As a retired school-teacher, I am inclined to believe that the children with an ADHD diagnosis, do not all suffer from it, but are the victims of the kind of upbringing that has no rules and very few principles, and that one day the children are allowed to do A, the following day A is forbidden and B is allowed. It all depends on the parents' mood at the time.

I am of the generation that believes that children need a few sensible rules, that only change as the children grow older, and are not altered according to the grown-ups' mood.

Any school that allows children to kick, spit, or use verbal abuse is at fault, as is any school that has fifteen year olds who CANNOT READ, and believe me, I have heard of this.

That said, many parents are at fault too, as they are not prepared to deal with two year old tantrums, and thus pave the way for school-children who are basically unteachable.

I am so glad I have retired!

I’m also really glad you are retired!

My autistic daughter is a Primary School teacher, no one is better placed to comment than she currently, the school are incredibly lucky to have her and she has a lovely kind way with her SEND children.

Bad parenting can cause issues, as can lack of boundaries, however the assessments to diagnose these children are pretty thorough and carried out by very experienced, qualified and specifically trained professionals.

AuntieE

Not holding a degree in medicine, I am not qualified to judge whether all these children really do have ADHD or autism.

As a retired school-teacher, I am inclined to believe that the children with an ADHD diagnosis, do not all suffer from it, but are the victims of the kind of upbringing that has no rules and very few principles, and that one day the children are allowed to do A, the following day A is forbidden and B is allowed. It all depends on the parents' mood at the time.

I am of the generation that believes that children need a few sensible rules, that only change as the children grow older, and are not altered according to the grown-ups' mood.

Any school that allows children to kick, spit, or use verbal abuse is at fault, as is any school that has fifteen year olds who CANNOT READ, and believe me, I have heard of this.

That said, many parents are at fault too, as they are not prepared to deal with two year old tantrums, and thus pave the way for school-children who are basically unteachable.

I am so glad I have retired!

Unfortunately there were too many teachers of your generation with that attitude.
The damage all of you have done is incalculable.
Thankfully my grandson had me and my daughter to fight for him.
I paid for him to have a private diagnosis as all the Drs wanted to do was put him on drugs when all that was needed was a few an adjustment’s in the classroom.

I havent retired and currently work in this field. I would say it would be very useful for someone, anyone to analyse what is going on in terms of the increase in numbers of children with autism, every single professional I know is discussing this.

I have just read your comments, Auntie E, and, like others, feel you are somewhat lacking in understanding. As you will see from my comments, I do think there is an overdiagnosis of some conditions, but these conditions certainly exist. My personal view has long been that shutting down so many special schools in the name of inclusion was a mistake and one that local authorities are beginning to realise was a mistake as new special schools are being built. Many children can cope with mainstream schools, but there are far too many children in mainstream schools who cannot.

Alwaysworrying

I feel very very sad at the moment.
My 36 year old daughter has OCD and ADHD. She has had it since childhood and her life has been very badly affected by it.
She had to leave university and has struggled with terrible bullying. She will never marry or have children.There are many days when her repetitive ticks are so bad she is terrified to get out of bed. Windows have to be touched in 'lots' of numbers for unspecified amounts of time (sometimes hours) so it is safe for her to be there. She has to stand with her hands behind her back so she doesn't touch the cooker controls, until it's safe for her to do so. Her whole life has been taken over by these compulsions and horrible thoughts in her head and l am constantly waiting for someone to ring me up to tell me she's taken her life.
All l read is folk talking about how people with these conditions are skiving or making it up or giving themselves labels. Well try living for 10mins in my daughter's shoes and see how you feel.
Yes, there are people excusing terrible behaviour for these illnesses but in maligning them you are unintentionally maligning everyone which makes it SO difficult for genuine claimants. I get so worn down by it and l just wish people would stop airing their mostly uneducated views. I can assure you that genuine mental health problems l wouldn't wish on my most hated enemies.
Thank you for listening.

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.

Sorry about the double post. I was typing on my phone rather annoyed at Auntie E's attitude' and my phone just would not do as it was told! I blame its owner. 😉

Why I first started in my last school, many of my colleagues blamed everyone and anyone for the behaviour and lack of progress of children with additional needs, but never did anything to resolve it, nor try to change their own attitude. Initially, I was ridiculed for trying to make changes in my own practice.

Thanks goodness, by the time I retired twenty five years later, many of the staff had additional qualifications and considerable experise. The culture had totally changed..

AuntieE you haven’t a clue, read the post by Alwaysworrying (thank you) and others, I’m pleased you’ve retired too.

'I am so glad I have retired!'

Thank God for that.

Unfortunately there's many teachers like you that think the same and have failed our children over and over again.

Thank you for that, Marydoll. You have responded to AuntieE in a far better (and possibly more restrained) manner than I could.

I am disappointed in AuntieE’s post
My grandchildren have rules at home and they do not change with parents mood. As for dealing with 2 year olds tantrums they have been dealt with. Parents do not allow the children to do what they want and the children are polite well mannered young people. My grandchild with autism has the same upbringing as any child in a loving family home where boundaries are set and adhered to. I do feel that AuntieE,s post shows a complete lack of understanding of children. Children years ago were seen as naughty lazy and disruptive and many left school with no qualifications ,understanding why this was happening has changed how children are educated and many go on to lead fulfilling lives. I think you should of watched the Chris Packam programme about these illness as it really showed how it affects peoples lives.

AuntieE, without wishing to offend, I’m relieved you’ve retired as well.
As Marydoll pointed out, no matter the support offered, for some maths and writing/reading will remain a significant challenge for some

As you aren’t a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist, your rejection of some of their diagnosis matters not - tho it could if you were still teaching

It's also spawned (by?) hordes of psychologists/psychotherapists/psychiatrists who might have struggled to make a living with their speciality when any form of mental illness was regarded as shameful. It is now an industry.

As a retired teacher, with numerous qualifications in supporting children with additional needs, I am disappointed and somewhat annoyed to read your views, AuntieE.
BTW, I was known as the strictest teacher in the school, but had empathy and compassion I tried my utmost to find out why, some children displayed such behaviour and find strategies to support them. I was not a pushover.

"Any school that allows children to kick, spit,
or use verbal abuse is at fault, as is any school that has fifteen year olds who CANNOT READ, and believe me, I have heard of this." You may have 'heard this', but have you experienced this on a daily basis? If so, what action did you take?

I have worked with children, who are so severely dyslexic, that they will never read, despite intervention and targetted support.
I once had a conversation with a Father, whose children were like this, as was he. It was heartbreaking to listen to him, telling me how he spent his life, hiding his own disabilities and taking jobs, where he did not need to read paperwork.

Having once had a child stamp on my healing broken foot, when cornered by two support assistants, I blamed no-one for this.
This child was beeing seen by a both a child psychiatrist and psychologist. He had sever mental issues. My school had so much support in place.
I met him recently, he is an adult now. He told me that he knew that I had cared about him and done my best for him and that with support he was attending college to try and make something of his life.


As a retired teacher, with numerous qualifications in supporting children with additional needs, I am disappointed and somewhat annoyed to read your views, AuntieE.
BTW, I was known as the strictest teacher in the school, but had empathy and compassion I tried my utmost to find out why, some children displayed such behaviour and find strategies to support them. I was not a pushover.

"Any school that allows children to kick, spit,
or use verbal abuse is at fault, as is any school that has fifteen year olds who CANNOT READ, and believe me, I have heard of this." You may have 'heard this', but have you experienced this on a daily basis? If so, what action did you take?

I have worked with children, who are so severely dyslexic, that they will never read, despite intervention and targetted support.
I once had a conversation with a Father, whose children were like this, as was he. It was heartbreaking to listen to him, telling me how he spent his life, hiding his own disabilities and taking jobs, where he did not need to read paperwork.

Having once had a child stamp on my healing broken foot, when cornered by two support assistants, I blamed no-one for this.
This child was beeing seen by a both a child psychiatrist and psychologist. He had sever mental issues. My school had so much support in place.
I met him recently, he is an adult now. He told me that he knew that I had cared about him and done my best for him and that with support he was attending college to try and make something of his life.

LOUISA1523

escaped

I'm thinking maybe I have got this wrong, as I understood the DLA was for children with mobility problems. By this I mean, that they have quite serious walking difficulties, like a limp, and they may get tired more quickly so need practical help. Maybe this condition can then spill over into behavioural problems, and this is where the crossover label occurs?
I didn't think the disability allowance was for behavioural conditions as such, though I am not an expert, so maybe someone can give a brief explanation what is meant here?

Yeh you got it wrong...a disability can be physical, behavioural ...it can feel mental health

Excuse me, was there any need for that sharp rebuke?
I am interested in this discussion, and grateful to many of those who are explaining the issues from both a professional and personal perspective. It is important that we understand what the individual labels are, and the financial support offered for these specific needs - physical or behavioural.

Alwaysworrying
Yes, people do casually say they might have OCD if they like things 'just so' but I do understand, from two people I knew who had been diagnosed with this, how debilitating it can be and how it can take over someone's s life so they cannot function properly.
I feel very sorry for you and for your DD. 💐

Any school that allows children to kick, spit, or use verbal abuse is at fault

Not easy with a small child who is absolutely 'beside himself', biting teachers, throwing equipment around and endangering other children. As they cannot be physically restrained it's not easy. When there is more than one child like this in a small school (from the same family in this particular instance) it makes it difficult for staff and frightening for other children.
Places in special units are few and far between as such behaviour does seem to be on the increase.
Yet another child from that family does not behave like that.
Why?

Two year old tantrums were best ignored, I found.

Well said Truffle43. One of my grandsons is autistic and his parents (who are both teachers in a deprived inner city area) are jumping through hoops to get an ‘official diagnosis’. They want to ensure his neurodiversity is recognised, so that he has an inclusive education with the same opportunities as other students when he goes to senior school.

Having that official diagnosis is such a relief to the person concerned and their family, whether old or young.

Not holding a degree in medicine, I am not qualified to judge whether all these children really do have ADHD or autism.

As a retired school-teacher, I am inclined to believe that the children with an ADHD diagnosis, do not all suffer from it, but are the victims of the kind of upbringing that has no rules and very few principles, and that one day the children are allowed to do A, the following day A is forbidden and B is allowed. It all depends on the parents' mood at the time.

I am of the generation that believes that children need a few sensible rules, that only change as the children grow older, and are not altered according to the grown-ups' mood.

Any school that allows children to kick, spit, or use verbal abuse is at fault, as is any school that has fifteen year olds who CANNOT READ, and believe me, I have heard of this.

That said, many parents are at fault too, as they are not prepared to deal with two year old tantrums, and thus pave the way for school-children who are basically unteachable.

I am so glad I have retired!

escaped

I'm thinking maybe I have got this wrong, as I understood the DLA was for children with mobility problems. By this I mean, that they have quite serious walking difficulties, like a limp, and they may get tired more quickly so need practical help. Maybe this condition can then spill over into behavioural problems, and this is where the crossover label occurs?
I didn't think the disability allowance was for behavioural conditions as such, though I am not an expert, so maybe someone can give a brief explanation what is meant here?

Yeh you got it wrong...a disability can be physical, behavioural ...it can feel mental health

Thank you Allwaysworrying for speaking out like this for the silent many.

Allwaysworrying sending you (((hugs)))

Alwaysworring. 💐