ADHD / ADD

Symptoms of ADHD in children tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child’s circumstances change, such as when they start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are 6 to 12 years old. However, many children go through phases where they’re restless or inattentive. This is often completely normal and doesn’t necessarily mean they have ADHD. However, you should consider raising your concerns with your child’s teacher, their school’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) or GP if you think their behaviour may be different to most children their age.

The symptoms of ADHD usually improve with age, but many adults who are diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.

It’s thought that around 2% to 5% of school-aged children may have ADHD.

Educational Psychologists cannot diagnose ADHD / ADD. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists can diagnose. An educational psychologist can advise on how to support the young person in school.

Autism

ASD is a condition that affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour

It’s estimated that about 1 in every 100 people in the UK has ASD. More boys are diagnosed with the condition than girls.

The characteristics of autism vary from one person to another, but in order for a diagnosis to be made, a person will usually be assessed as having had persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests since early childhood, to the extent that these “limit and impair everyday functioning”.

Educational Psychologists cannot diagnose autism. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists can diagnose. An educational psychologist can advise on how to support the young person in school.

Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

The majority of Educational Psychologists are employed by Local Authorities, to support children / young people, pre-schools and schools, in their Local Authority. This includes being part of the Education and Health Care Needs Assessment process, which can result in the creation of an EHCP.

Some children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) may struggle to access education through mainstream settings. Local Authorities have a duty to assess a child or young person’s education, health and care needs where they may have SEND and they may need special educational provision to be made for them. Creating an EHCP is part of this process.

Literacy difficulties including dyslexia

Dyslexia is a “Specific Learning Difficulty” (SpLD) that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.

Educational psychologists can say if a child meets the criteria for dyslexia. They will normally refer to The Rose Report and the British Psychological Society definitions of dyslexia.

Whether a child meets the criteria or not, an educational psychologist can advice parents and schools on how to support children who struggle with literacy.

Numeracy and dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is usually perceived of as a specific learning difficulty for numeracy. The definition below comes from the American Psychiatric Association (2013):

“Developmental Dyscalculia (DD) is a specific learning disorder that is characterised by impairments in learning basic arithmetic facts, processing numerical magnitude and performing accurate and fluent calculations. These difficulties must be quantifiably below what is expected for an individual’s chronological age, and must not be caused by poor educational or daily activities or by intellectual impairments.”

Children may struggle with maths but not have dyscalculia. Educational psychologists can advice on how to support children who are struggling with maths.

Occupational Therapy, DCD / Dyspraxia, Sensory Needs

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination that causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for his or her age, and appear to move clumsily.

Movement Matters, an umbrella organisation representing major national groups in the UK that represent people with coordination difficulties offers the following definition:

“Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. DCD is formally recognised by international organisations including the World Health Organisation. DCD is distinct from other motor disorders such as cerebral palsy and stroke, and occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. Individuals may vary in how their difficulties present: these may change over time depending on environmental demands and life experiences, and will persist into adulthood.”

Children may present with difficulties with self-care, writing, typing, riding a bike and play as well as other educational and recreational activities. In adulthood many of these difficulties will continue, as well as learning new skills at home, in education and work, such as driving a car and DIY.