What happens after my child's ADHD diagnosis?

Expect support options, not just medication. NICE recommends parent-training first for younger children, and an ADHD specialist starts any medicine. School SEN support and child DLA can begin straight away.

What the ADHD clinic does next

After diagnosis, the specialist should talk you through how ADHD affects your child and which support fits. For pre-school and younger children, NICE recommends an ADHD-focused parent-training group as the first step, not medicine. Medication (usually a modified-release methylphenidate) is offered when symptoms still cause significant problems across home and school, and it can only be started and adjusted by an ADHD specialist. Finding the right dose often takes a few months.

The specialist stays responsible for an annual medication review, with height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure checked roughly every six months. Once the dose is stable, your GP may take over prescribing under a shared care agreement.

Tell the school and ask for SEN support

You do not need to wait for medication or a second opinion. Tell your child's SENCO (the special educational needs coordinator) in writing that your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, and ask what SEN support they will put in place. ADHD counts as a special educational need, so the school should follow the graduated approach of assess, plan, do and review, and make reasonable adjustments. If your child's needs are greater than ordinary SEN support can meet, you can ask the council for an EHC needs assessment.

Check the financial help you can claim

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is the main benefit for under-16s with ADHD. It is tax-free, not means-tested, and based on how much extra care, supervision or support your child needs compared with a child of the same age, so a diagnosis on its own does not decide it. You apply through GOV.UK. If your child is awarded the middle or higher care rate, you may also qualify for Carer's Allowance.

If support stalls

If your GP refuses to prescribe under shared care, ask the clinic to keep prescribing and put the refusal in writing. For school problems, your local SENDIASS service gives free, impartial advice, and IPSEA can help with your child's rights. If the council refuses an EHC needs assessment, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

For how the prescribing handover works, see what shared care for ADHD medication means.

This page is general information, not clinical or legal advice.