Definitely talk to his new teacher. Diagnosis or not, they'll get no where without an understanding teacher.

DD's diagnosis was a little more involved. I was more looking into the Sensory Processing side of things. I didn't even really think about ADD.
We though initially Auditory processing as well. We had her hearing tested & also had the school counsellor do an assessment. It was the school counsellor who noted her trouble with concentration (DD was only just 5 at the time).

We then went to the GP & got a referral for an occupational therapist, along with the ECP. We did our assessment & she decided that while DD did have issues with her tactile & vestibular senses, she also had concentration issues. We did a few sessions of OT, got some tips & went to the paed. He pretty much diagnosed her without the questionnaire, but we & her teacher filled it out anyway. Unfortunately by that point DD was at a smaller school that really had no idea what AD/HD was. That was frustrating....

We were prescribed Ritalin, but I took a while to fill the script. 3 months or more. I then only filled it so the script didn't get any more trashed in the bottom of my hand bag.

12 months later I finally gave up & started medication. After getting her report & basically she'd learnt nothing in 6 months. Her teacher (same one for about 20 months so far & another year with her this year) has been awesome. She even made DD a weighted vest to try. It helped with the fidgeting, but not the concentration.

We are now on long acting Ritalin & I'd say it'll be a long time before I try her without it. It also helps with her emotions at home. She's a VERY emotional child, & she does struggle with impulse control. (drew on walls til she was 7!)

She's come a very long way since starting meds. The difference was noticeable within days.


Once a child is diagnosed with ADD, they are also entitled to a Mental Health Care Plan, on top of the EPC. That's a further 12 subsidised sessions you're entitled too every 12 months.