ADHD Assessments
ADHD Assessments for Children (6+) & Adolescents
A comprehensive, evidence-based assessment
Assessment standards
A high-quality ADHD assessment involves much more than questionnaires or symptom checklists. My assessments follow NICE guidance and recognised UK professional standards, with a thorough, developmentally informed approach tailored to each child.
Approach
Understanding the whole person, not just the symptoms
You may be wondering whether ADHD could help explain some of the difficulties your child is experiencing — whether with attention, organisation, impulsivity, emotional regulation, restlessness, or managing everyday demands.
ADHD can look different from one child to another. Some may be visibly hyperactive, while others may primarily experience difficulties with attention, executive functioning, or organisation. Children may also develop strategies to compensate for their difficulties, meaning their challenges are not always immediately apparent.
A comprehensive assessment looks beyond individual symptoms to understand how your child experiences the world across home, school, and other settings.
I take an evidence-based, neuroaffirmative, culturally, and developmentally informed approach, considering both challenges and strengths — including your child's personality, interests, relationships, and what helps them thrive.
The aim is not simply to identify symptoms, but to understand the whole child.
What to expect
The assessment journey
Initial enquiry
Begin by completing the contact form with some information about your child and what has prompted you to seek an ADHD assessment. If you decide to proceed, I will guide you through the next steps, including the forms and information needed before the assessment. Gathering this information in advance allows me to develop an understanding of your child before we meet and helps us make the most of our time together.
Comprehensive assessment
The assessment is expected to take up to 3 hours, depending on your child's age, presentation, and the amount of information that needs to be explored. Appointments can take place in person or online, depending on your circumstances and preference. Where developmentally appropriate, your child will be encouraged to share their own experiences and perspectives. They may not need to participate in every part of the assessment, but their voice will be considered wherever possible.
Feedback & recommendations
A feedback session will usually take place within 2–4 weeks of the assessment, allowing time to carefully review the information and prepare the comprehensive written report. Where a diagnosis is made, we will discuss what this means for your child and family, along with appropriate recommendations and next steps. If the assessment does not support an ADHD diagnosis, I will explain the reasons clearly and, where appropriate, consider other possible explanations and recommendations. You will receive a comprehensive written report summarising the assessment, outcome, and recommendations.
Good to know
Additional assessment information
In some circumstances, additional information may be needed before a diagnostic decision can be reached. Where a second parent interview or further clinical assessment is required, this will be discussed with you and may incur an additional fee.
Where appropriate, a school observation may also be recommended. This would only be considered where the information provided by the school is insufficient to inform the assessment and a direct observation would provide clinically relevant additional information. School observations are charged separately.
Any additional assessment requirements and associated fees will be discussed with you in advance.
Afterwards
Ongoing support after your child's assessment
An ADHD assessment can be an important first step in understanding your child's strengths, needs, and experiences. A diagnosis can bring clarity, while also raising questions about what support may be helpful.
Post-diagnostic psychological support is available to help your child and family understand ADHD and develop strategies to support their emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning.
Support can include emotional regulation, self-esteem, coping strategies, executive functioning, and navigating relationships, as well as helping parents and carers better understand and respond to their child's needs.
Where appropriate, I can work collaboratively with parents, carers, and your child to identify strategies that can support them at home, at school, and in everyday life.
You don't have to navigate what comes next on your own.
Next step