Does my child need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for ADHD or autism?
- Dr Harry Woodward
- Feb 4
- 4 min read
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Many parents find themselves asking this late at night:
“Does my child actually need an EHCP?”
If you have a child with ADHD or autism, this question can feel confusing, intimidating, and emotionally heavy.
Let’s make it very simple.
What is an EHCP? (simple explanation)
An EHCP is a legal support plan used in England.
EHCP stands for Education, Health and Care Plan.
It explains:
What your child struggles with
What support they need
Who must provide that support
It is for children and young people aged 0 to 25.
The key point is this:
An EHCP exists to make sure your child actually gets the help they need at school.
Is an EHCP about ADHD or autism labels?
No.
An EHCP is not about diagnoses.
It is about:
How much support your child needs
Whether school can meet those needs without extra funding
A child does not need to sound “severe” to qualify.
Needs matter more than labels.
Does every child with ADHD or autism need an EHCP?
No.
Some children with ADHD or autism:
Manage with reasonable adjustments
Do well with SEN support in school
Do not need an EHCP
Other children:
Need much more support
Struggle to cope in mainstream settings
Need help schools cannot provide on their own
Those children may need an EHCP.
When should parents consider an EHCP?
Parents often start thinking about an EHCP when:
School support is not working
Plans exist, but progress is limited or things are getting worse.
Their child is emotionally overwhelmed
Frequent:
Anxiety
Meltdowns
School refusal
Shutdowns
Extreme exhaustion
Learning is seriously affected
Not just “a bit behind”, but:
Struggling to engage
Struggling to cope
Struggling to progress
Schools say:
“We don’t have the resources.”
This usually means:
“We need formal funding and legal backing.”
What does an EHCP actually provide?
An EHCP can secure:
1:1 or small-group support
Specialist teaching strategies
Speech and language therapy
Occupational therapy
Environmental adjustments
Staff training
Specialist school placements (if needed)
Most importantly:
Schools are legally required to deliver what is written in the EHCP.
Do you need a diagnosis first?
No.
Legally, EHCPs are based on needs, not diagnoses.
However, a diagnosis of ADHD or autism often helps because it provides:
Clear evidence
Professional reports
Practical recommendations
And usually:
Fewer disagreements
Less delay
Which makes the process smoother.
The reality of the EHCP process
It is important to be honest.
The EHCP process can be:
Slow
Bureaucratic
Paper-heavy
Emotionally draining
This is normal.
It does not mean you are doing anything wrong.
Many parents later say:
“I wish I had applied earlier - I didn’t realise we were allowed to.”
You are allowed.
A simple rule of thumb
Ask yourself this question:
“Is my child coping at school… or just surviving?”'
If it feels like surviving,
it is reasonable to explore an EHCP.
The bottom line
An EHCP is:
Not a failure
Not a label
Not a life sentence
It is a tool.
A tool that can help your child:
Feel safer at school
Feel calmer
Access learning in a way that works for them
That is the whole point.
FAQ section: Does my child need an EHCP for ADHD or autism?
What is an EHCP in simple terms?
An EHCP is a legal plan that explains what support a child needs at school and makes sure the school provides it. It is used in England for children and young people aged 0–25.
Does my child need an EHCP if they have ADHD or autism?
Not always. Some children with ADHD or autism manage well with school SEN support and reasonable adjustments. Others need more support than schools can provide without extra funding, which is when an EHCP may be needed.
Do you need an EHCP for ADHD?
Only if your child’s ADHD significantly affects their ability to cope or learn at school and current support is not enough. ADHD alone does not automatically mean a child needs an EHCP.
Do you need an EHCP for autism?
Some autistic children need an EHCP, especially if sensory, emotional, or learning needs are high and school support is not working. Others do not. It depends on needs, not the diagnosis.
Does my child need a diagnosis before applying for an EHCP?
No. An EHCP is based on a child’s needs, not on having a diagnosis. However, a diagnosis of ADHD or autism can make the process easier by providing clear evidence.
What are signs my child might need an EHCP?
Parents often consider an EHCP if school support is not helping, their child is emotionally overwhelmed, learning is severely affected, or schools say they do not have the resources to meet the child’s needs.
What support can an EHCP provide?
An EHCP can provide 1:1 support, specialist teaching, therapy input such as speech and language or occupational therapy, classroom adjustments, staff training, or specialist school placements if needed.
Is an EHCP legally binding?
Yes. Schools and local authorities must provide the support written into the EHCP. This legal protection is one of the main benefits of having one.
Is applying for an EHCP a failure as a parent?
No. Applying for an EHCP is not a failure. It is a way of advocating for your child when they need more support than the system is currently providing.
How do I know if my child is coping or just surviving?
If your child is constantly anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, or unable to access learning despite support, they may be surviving rather than coping. That is often a sign an EHCP is worth exploring.
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