Supporting Young People with ADHD: School Support Matters alongside Parent support
For many families, navigating the education system when a child is struggling is a daunting experience. A recent survey revealed that around one-third of UK parents have requested a Special Educational Needs (SEN) assessment for their child. The most common reasons include neurodivergence such as Autism, ADHD, and speech and language difficulties.
But despite the urgent need, many families face long delays—sometimes waiting over a year—for their child to be assessed. This means that young people who are already finding school life challenging may miss out on the support they need to thrive.
Often parents relate to the struggles of their children and are curious whether their needs are related to neurodivergence too. At Atrium Clinic, we work with parents to unpick their own relationship with Autism or ADHD when a formal assessment might not offer them direct benefits, but they want to understand themselves better for their parenting role too.
Why SEN Assessments Are Important
An SEN assessment is often the first step in making sure a child’s unique needs are understood and met. For children with ADHD or other neurodevelopmental conditions, assessments can:
Identify strengths as well as challenges.
Provide a clearer picture of how the young person learns best.
Unlock access to additional classroom support, such as one-to-one assistance, tailored learning strategies, or specialist interventions.
Inform an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), where needed, to ensure long-term provision.
Your child does not need a diagnosis to get support.
The Challenges Families Face
Unfortunately, demand for SEN assessments far outweighs current capacity in many parts of the UK. Parents often tell us about:
Long waiting times that can stretch for months or years.
Uncertainty around what support their child is entitled to.
Stress at home and school, as children may struggle without the right interventions.
Appreciation of your family’s natural strengths and how you can connect better together
How ADHD Coaching and Support Can Help parents too
While waiting for formal assessments or extra provision, practical support can make a real difference. We provide:
You may be eligible if you:
- ADHD coaching for adults and parents, helping them build strategies for focus, organisation, and confidence for themselves and in their parenting role. You could get funded support through Access to Work (insert link to last blog) if you are working and believe you are impacted by ADHD symptoms.
- Parent support, building knowledge about neurodivergence, offering tools and reassurance for families to strengthen connections within the family.
- Support for parents to create approaches at home and school that help children succeed in the classroom.
New innovational therapy support for young people
Atrium Clinic has been working on bringing new therapeutic approaches for supporting young people with SEND and we are publishing our paper with Anglia Ruskin University soon on our protocol for gaming therapies which has produced great clinical outcomes for young people who do not do well with traditional talking therapies. Families have benefitted directly from learning how to optimise digital gaming approaches into their family life and to continue the support at home between therapeutic sessions with a professional.
Moving Forward Together
Every child deserves the chance to flourish at school, regardless of their challenges. While the system is under pressure, families don’t have to face the journey alone. With the right mix of professional support (check out your local SENDIASS service) coaching, counselling and new innovational approaches, families impacted by ADHD and other SEND can gain the support they need to thrive both in education and beyond.
