"But it wasn't until Matilda was assessed that they actually came back to us and said she’s definitely got ADHD, but actually, she's autistic. I had no idea. But the profile for a girl that's autistic, compared to a boy that autistic is completely different. Matilda is a spectacularly good masker. She’s really good at masking."
Clare and her daughter, Matilda, join us to discuss Matilda's school experiences. Matilda is nine years old and in year five at primary school; she is autistic and has ADHD.
Friendships can be challenging because Matilda is autistic and doesn't always pick up on social cues. Having ADHD means she needs to be active. Matilda tells us about the adjustments her school has made to support her, including a visual timetable and movement breaks. Mum Clare shares her journey so far, first identifying the areas of daily life Matilda struggles with, then obtaining a diagnosis, and now pursuing a satisfactory EHC Plan, which is crucial to ensure that they apply to the best secondary schools to meet Matilda's needs and that when she is there, she has access to adequate funding to support her.
If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please contact your healthcare practitioner.
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Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
