Where do I begin?

I'm hoping someone can push me in the right direction...I feel like I've read a lot of posts and my head is spinning right now.  

Here is what my husband sent me to my question of what visas we each will have...

Kids – Tier 2 ICT Long Term Staff Child
You – Tier 2 ICT Long Term Staff Partner
Me- Tier 2 ICT Long Term Staff Migrant

Is there a post with a checklist on what to do when we arrive to find healthcare for the kids and ourselves?  We are all on some sort of medication daily and the kids can only get their ADHD meds once a month so I need to find a physician immediately as they will only have a 2 week supply left when we get there.

Thank you!!

The one thing I suggest, regarding your kids' ADHD meds, is to get all the relevant medical records, test results, psychologists' reports, etc. together ahead of time, and bring them with you, as it will speed the process. 

When you're looking for a GP to register with, ask if they have experience of prescribing for ADHD.  You might find that none of them in your area do, and they'll need to refer you to a consultant psychiatrist.  You'll probably have a few more resources available, since they're children (the UK medical establishment tends to believe ADHD automagically disappears on one's 18th birthday), but it can still be a frustrating process.

Or, if you can afford it, be prepared to cut out the middle-man and go private.

Also, keep in mind that the medication options in the UK are pretty limited.  Adderall isn't approved (it *can* be imported through certain pharmacies, but it's a long, red-tapey process, and is very expensive).  Concerta (ritalin) is the first, and just about only, option.  So if that's not what your kids are taking now, you might talk to their doctor and see about trying them on it before you move.  If they can find the right dosage, it'll save a lot of hand-wringing and time-wasting by the GPs and psychiatrists here.

Good luck!

My oldest is actually on Concerta.  My middle one was just literally officially diagnosed today.  I do have the written reports and testing done by the psychologists and then will have all their medical records with me. 

I know we will have private insurance but do we have to register with NHS?  That is where I get confused in what I'm reading...

It's probably still a good idea to register with the NHS (via a local GP's office), and yes, your family is entitled to treatment.  Occasionally, people run into ill-informed receptionists, but if you have any issues, see (and, if necessary, print) this page: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/uk-visitors/Pages/accessing-nhs-services.aspx

I would see if there is any way you can obtain 4-8 weeks worth of necessary medications prior to leaving the States.  When we moved over 8 years ago we brought about 2 months worth of our daughter's medication.  If memory serves me correct it was 7 weeks before we received her first batch of medication here.  We were on the NHS.
Before we decided to move to England I checked the NICE guidelines regarding our daughter's medication and verified with a pediatrician that she would be eligible to receive it. 
Woadgrrl has given you great advice about bringing over all medical records.  Also be prepared for the medical care not to be exactly as it is in the States. 
I'm not sure if this is relevant or not, but if your children receive any additional support in school be sure to bring any and all paperwork regarding it. 
All the best to you and yours for your upcoming move.   

I'm not sure if this is relevant or not, but if your children receive any additional support in school be sure to bring any and all paperwork regarding it. 

I forgot about school, but yes, absolutely do this as well!  Make sure you get an IEP/504 Plan for both your kids as well, even though the one just diagnosed and even though it's nearly the end of the year.  You didn't say here what ages they are, but especially if they're in/nearing secondary school (i.e. 11+), ask for any testing-related accommodations that the school can offer (extra time, distraction-free environment, etc.)  This will be helpful if they end up taking GCSE's, etc. here.

Basically, I'd recommend hitting some of the UK-based ADHD forums, and reading as much as you can about how things work in healthcare and education here, as well as just gathering as much current information as you can on the condition itself. While there can be quite a difference in services from one area to the next, my overall impression is that the UK is generally at least 15 years behind in the way it handles ADHD.  So you'll need to be extra-prepared to be your kids' advocate, which means having as much information as possible.

Thank you for all the advice!  Right now we don't have an IEP here.  There really wasn't a need.  Their teachers are aware of the ADHD and do offer other ways of testing and such but I'm sure it won't be as compassionate in the UK.  They are boys and ages 8 1/2 and 7. 

Thank you for all the advice!  Right now we don't have an IEP here.  There really wasn't a need.  Their teachers are aware of the ADHD and do offer other ways of testing and such but I'm sure it won't be as compassionate in the UK.  They are boys and ages 8 1/2 and 7. 

I don't think it's a lack of compassion as much as a lack of awareness.  School in the UK is...very different, and the philosophy and history behind it can make it feel very odd for expats, I think (speaking as someone who taught in the US and has tangentially been involved in the UK (as well as having some UK friends who teach)). Woadgrrl is right in that the services offered will vary by area, and it is always, always better to bring as much documentation with you as possible, whether it's for school, the doctor or a job search. It just helps provide much needed context for the discussion you'll be having.

Definitely look into the parent support groups as well, I know there is a group that will attend meetings with you and act as a guide, but I'm not sure if it's active all over the UK.

I feel a bit guilty, and hope I haven't scared you too much!  There is one positive side to schooling in the UK for kids with ADHD.  Homework!  It doesn't matter!  Or, at least, from what I've seen/gathered, daily homework assignments have relatively little impact on final course results, which are largely exam-based.  So, no failing a class because you forgot to hand in a few (dozen) worksheets!

But, seriously, if you can get the IEPs in place now, you'll be able to show that the ADHD was considered to impact their school work/considered a learning disability, and that, from what I understand, will entitle the kids to certain services/accommodations that you might otherwise have to jump through zillions of hoops for.  It'll knock that down to merely dozens of hoops.

I guess compassionate wasn't the right word to use.  Our current teachers are just so understanding and I haven't had ANY issues with how they handle my kids during the day whereas I have other friends in other parts of the States that have had issues.  I think I'm just extremely lucky so far. 

We moved 2 years ago and I have to say it has been an extremely positive experience for my now 12 year old who has ADHD. 

We immediately registered with the local GP and got an appointment within a couple of days,  we took in copy of their US medical records and US prescriptions.  The GP reviewed the medical records and prescriptions and recognized the need to continue with their well being, he immediately issued prescriptions for the ADHD medication no questions asked, the prescription was filled later that day by the pharmacy. He also referred us to the local hospital for regular medication check ups,  the local GP continues to issue the appropriate prescriptions today.

On the school side,  it is a night and day difference between the US and the UK.  The US teachers had no experience with ADHD and the principal admitted it.  The teachers did not want to teach anyone with learning disabilities and it showed.  The school in the UK has been very accommodating, although they have not seen the need for direct SEN department involvement they do oversee progress, grades have gone from D's in the US to A's in the UK, attitude gone from hating school in the US to wanting to be at school. 

I hope this information is useful.

Good luck.

I feel a bit guilty, and hope I haven't scared you too much!  There is one positive side to schooling in the UK for kids with ADHD.  Homework!  It doesn't matter!  Or, at least, from what I've seen/gathered, daily homework assignments have relatively little impact on final course results, which are largely exam-based.  So, no failing a class because you forgot to hand in a few (dozen) worksheets!

Homework does controbute to final grade in the way of national curriculm*, although they may be subject to things like demerits/detentions/asked to stay behind...although seeing as they are still in primary school, there is no way that there is loads of homework that your children will have to do.

*This is the system with the numbers and 'a' 'b' 'c', there did used to be exams at the end which were done most years but had to be taken in Year 2 (grade 1), Year 6 (grade 5) and Year 9 (Grade , the only ones that are now taken are the Year 6 English and Maths papers.

These are also called SATs, but are only done for the purpose of the school league tables. And there are changes that are planned to the national curriculm, but I think that's more content wise than assement wise.

Most of those grades will be based on teacher assessment of their work in class. It is only when they are at GCSE level and above that, their grade will come from assement via exams and coursework. (Which is classwork essentially, but not all classwork is coursework, and they may be set homework to do part of their coursework, but most of it is done in class nowadays and under exam conditions (ie: English Language and Literature) because the students could get away with their parents writing their whole coursework.)

And you may find that in Year 6 (or Year 8 if you are living in Dorset, and hello from Dorset too!) that they will get a lot of homework, "to prepare them for the demands of secondary school" (This happened to me in my last year of middle school, but then for the next 3 years, I hardly got any homework!)

But in the UK, especially in the younger years, you don't generally fail a class. (NationalCurriculum doesn't have a 'fail grade' as such) It's only when they get to GCSE that there is a fail grade (Technically a U, but employers don't like anything below a C/D really)

I'm sorry if this is (it is most likely) too much of an infomation wall, but I am nearly finished with the school system (Class of 2012 and 2014!), so I am very well informed about it!

Yes there is a lot of accommodation for exams, I found this out from reading a PDF from the exam boards regulator, as I have found out that I am eligible for extra time because of my hand writing speed. (But we found out too late for this year's exams, but I have it for next year's!) I'll see if I can find it, it is very long, but skimming through the contents does show what accomodations are available....here! Top link, you will have to download it...