Thriive is the support app for ADHD and autistic brains — and the whole household behind them. Track your patterns, find strategies that actually fit, and walk into every appointment with evidence. For yourself, or for your child.
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You KNOW something is going on with your child. But a 10-minute GP appointment doesn't capture the reality of daily life. You leave feeling dismissed, or like you didn't explain it well enough. Here's how to walk in prepared and walk out heard.
You are not being dramatic. You are being data-driven. And that gets results.
GPs see thousands of patients. They need specific, factual information to make referrals. 'He's really struggling' is harder to act on than 'Over the past 4 weeks, he's had meltdowns averaging 3 times daily, lasting 20-40 minutes, primarily triggered by transitions and sensory overload.' Both describe the same child, but one gets a referral.
Before your appointment, prepare: A 2-4 week behaviour log (frequency, triggers, duration, severity). Written observations from school if possible. A timeline of your concerns (when you first noticed, how it's changed). Specific examples of how daily life is impacted. Keep it to 1-2 pages maximum. Doctors are time-poor.
Lead with impact: 'My child is struggling to function at school and at home. Here's the evidence.' Hand over your written summary. Be specific: mention sleep issues, friendship difficulties, school reports, and daily functioning. If the GP is dismissive, you can say: 'I'd like this documented in the notes and I'd like to understand what the threshold for referral is.'
You can request a second opinion. You can self-refer to some services (check your local area). You can seek a private assessment, which is generally recognised by schools and health services. Parent advocacy organisations can provide guidance. Remember: you are the expert on your child.
