Why does the school's perspective matter?
ADHD isn't assessed on one behaviour or what happens in one place. Clinicians need to understand how a child experiences different settings, including both home and school.
A child may behave differently in the classroom than they do at home. Bringing these perspectives together helps build a much fuller picture of their strengths, experiences and any areas where they may benefit from additional support.
What should I ask the school?
Start with a conversation with your child's teacher or the school's SENCO. Ask what they have noticed and whether there are any consistent patterns around attention, organisation, impulsivity, learning or social interaction.
At Neurodivergems, feedback from both parents and teachers forms an important part of our child ADHD assessments in Greater Manchester, helping our clinicians understand the whole child rather than looking at their experiences in isolation.
The more we understand about how a child experiences their different environments, the better we can uncover what helps them thrive.
What questions should I ask my child's teacher?
You don't need to ask whether they think your child “has ADHD”. Instead, ask about what they are observing day to day:
How well do they maintain attention during lessons?
Do they find it difficult to follow or remember instructions?
How do they manage organisation, belongings and completing tasks?
Have you noticed any impulsivity, restlessness or difficulty waiting their turn?
How do they manage friendships and social situations?
Are there particular lessons, situations or environments where they find things easier or more difficult?
What strategies seem to help them?
At Neurodivergems, feedback from both parents and teachers forms an important part of our child ADHD assessments in Greater Manchester, helping our clinicians understand the whole child rather than looking at their experiences in isolation.
Dr Niruban Ratnarajah, Neurodivergems clinician, added: “Parents and teachers often see different sides of a child and both perspectives are valuable. Talking to school isn't about asking them to diagnose ADHD; it's about understanding what they're noticing, where your child is doing well and where they may need more support. Bringing those insights together helps us build a much clearer picture of the whole child.
‘The more we understand about how a child experiences their different environments, the better we can uncover what helps them thrive.”
If you're wondering whether ADHD could be contributing to difficulties your child is experiencing, you can book a free introductory 15 minute call with the Neurodivergems team to discuss your concerns and understand the next steps.