'Failed by NHS' Private ADHD care is costing us thousands, says mum

A MOTHER has told how her family was forced to spend thousands of pounds on a private diagnosis after struggling to get support for her teenage daughter through the NHS.

- Lewis CLARKE

Helen Clarke said her daughter Matilda, who is in Year 10, had been facing mounting difficulties at school, where she struggled academically and displayed behavioural issues that led to frequent detentions and exclusions. The stress of the situation was taking a toll on the teenager's mental health when the family began to suspect she may have a neurological condition.

Helen said: "Matilda couldn't focus in lessons, she would often get distracted. She was rude to teachers - this is one of her symptoms, impulsiveness."

Following a suggestion from her brother, she began researching attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and found that many of the symptoms matched her daughter's experiences.

After reading about private assessment providers online, the family approached Melios, a private ADHD service.