Son diagnosed with ADHD and ASD

Hi Catt, it's difficult to know what to do after a diagnosis, I felt the same.

Take some time to evaluate and reflect on your situation. What particular things does your son struggle with? Don't try to leap too fast, trying to help with everything. Otherwise your eldest daughter might get resentful of the sudden attention focused on her younger brother. For example; pick one stressful aspect of the day, maybe bedtime, and experiment. Does having a strict bedtime routine or reading a bedtime story will help him sleep quicker?

When explaining ADHD and ASD to your older daughter take into account her age. If she is in primary school too perhaps you could do a "research project" with her and look at websites like:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Understanding-ADHD.aspx

Or CHADD is also a good website for older children/adults with lots of great information!

SEN schools can be beneficial for some children but it's not necessary. Most (if not all) mainstream schools have a SEN department. At least for my brother (now in Year 9 at highschool) he has 1 to 1 lifeskills lessons, small groups/form and nearly always has a teaching assistant in the room. This has happened because my mum asked (and often fought for) additional help through meetings with staff.

It's a little different with primary school but, through observation of your son in the classroom, the teacher should be able to offer some behavioural advice. Then, slowly, some changes can be made so that school life is made as supportive as possible.

Medication is a lifesaver in our family. My brother has had daily medication for 3-4 years and it's made a huge difference. How long medication should be given is up to you. Life tends to get more stressful as we get older so, for the time being anyway, he'll keep having his tablets to help him cope better socially and mentally.

Sorry for the long comment; I hope it was helpful.
If this isn't very clear I'd be happy to help clear anything up.

If it would help your eldest daughter, I would be willing to talk with her more about having a younger brother with ADHD and ASD

Take care!

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
If you live in England I suggest you ring iipsea and they will advise what you are entitled to in schools. No one tells you anything.
Has you son been checked forvthe Comorbid issues like Dyslexia , Dyspraxia , Dyscalculia. Another possibility is Irlen Syndrome..
My sons due to blatant incompetence in CAMHS and Education System were knot diagnosed with Asbergers till lates teens. Youngest we now realise had ADHD when young now has ADD, Now trying to get a diagnosis of Pathological Demand Avoidance. PDA. If you have been given ADHD as part of the diagnosis it's worth checking out PDA site.

http://www.pdasociety.org.uk/what-is-PDA

My youngest tried Ritalin for a while and it made his worse. Look at the side effects of this drug, they are horrendous. I honestly can't understand why they prescribe while the contraindications one is anxiety.

imwish my youngestbhad been prescribed meds for sleeping tho, it was and still is a nightmare, no pun intended. 

We have just been told in the last few days that my son has ADHD but, we are awaiting ASD pathway so, I got a pack to explain most of what I have already been doing to help him anyway, but nothing to help with social area where kids are allowed to tell him “to go away” and “we don’t like you, don’t come to the park” those are a few we have had. Breaks my heart people allow kids to be so cruel.  I don’t know anything else I can do but, worry medication is my worry as my husband doesn't want him on it at all.   Which will be reviewed in 6 months time