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

Ready Meals, I understand your point of view . However would the school child who has personality quirks not need extra help at school so that she or he can succeed in the job market where certain personality quirks would make it extra hard to get a job?

Like I said, absolute ignorance if you genuinely think Autistic people just 'have personality quirks'.

personality quirks
That’s really scraping the barrel for dismissive comments

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I used to work in a hospital as PA to a highly respected consultant paediatrician and she routinely prescribed Ritalin in the ‘90s saying it was a game changer. Calmer more manageable children.

My son (now in his 50s) was diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia in the 1980s and was prescribed Ritalin. It made him extremely depressed and we took him off it.
He was very hard work as a child both for us and his teachers, but we never expected any financial help from the state I can't believe that this is expected by some parents

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.

Alwaysworring. 💐

Allwaysworrying sending you (((hugs)))

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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. 💐

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

'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.

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

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..

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.

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 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.