ADHD assessment

Understanding ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, activity levels and impulse control. Some people mainly experience difficulties with attention, without obvious hyperactivity. It is not a measure of intelligence, effort or parenting.

Difficulties may include staying focused, following instructions, organising tasks, remembering appointments or belongings, restlessness, interrupting or acting before thinking. Children may struggle with schoolwork, daily routines, waiting their turn or friendships. In adults, difficulties may affect work, study, home life and relationships.

People with ADHD may also find it difficult to manage emotions. Experiences vary, and people may develop coping strategies that make difficulties less visible. Doing well at school or work does not rule out ADHD. It can be recognised in adulthood, including in people whose difficulties were missed when they were younger.

How ADHD is assessed

A diagnosis is made by a suitably qualified specialist, rather than by an online questionnaire alone. The assessment explores childhood development, current difficulties, their effect on daily life and other possible explanations. ADHD symptoms usually begin before age 12 and cause meaningful difficulties in more than one setting, such as home and school, or work and relationships.

Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, trauma and alcohol or drug use can cause similar difficulties. These may also exist alongside ADHD. The assessment helps identify the support you need, rather than assuming that one condition explains everything.

For adults, childhood examples, school reports or information from someone who knew you when you were younger can help. If this information is unavailable, tell us; this does not automatically prevent a referral. Please be open about alcohol or drug use so that assessment and treatment can be planned safely.

Children and young people

Please describe your child’s difficulties, when they started and how they affect home life, learning and relationships. Include the child or young person’s own views where possible. The assessing service may request age appropriate questionnaires and information from school or nursery; the adult screening questions are not a substitute for a child assessment.

Speak with your child’s teacher or special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) about support and relevant observations. If your child is home educated or not attending school, explain this so information from other settings can be considered. You do not need to wait for a diagnosis to discuss support with school. Contact us if difficulties are significant or worsening.

Your referral options

We will review your consultation and consider whether a specialist referral is appropriate. The route depends on age, clinical needs and the services available. Waiting times vary and can be long.

Local NHS services

We can refer to the appropriate local NHS specialist service. The service will assess your needs and explain the support, treatment and follow up available. For children, the pathway may involve paediatric or children’s mental health services.

NHS Right to Choose

Where eligible, patients in England can choose an alternative provider for NHS funded assessment. This can include independent organisations delivering NHS services. Right to Choose is different from paying privately. Providers differ in the ages they accept and whether they offer assessment alone or ongoing treatment.

Our practice does not enter into shared care arrangements for ADHD medication initiated by Right to Choose providers. Shared care means an agreed arrangement for a GP to take over specified prescribing and monitoring while the specialist remains involved. Our decision about shared care is separate from considering a clinically appropriate Right to Choose referral.

Before choosing a provider, check that they can offer the care you need and continue prescribing, required physical checks and specialist follow up without relying on this practice to take over. Ask about separate waits for assessment and treatment. If you are already on a local waiting list, check how changing provider would affect your place before making a decision.

Private assessment and treatment

You may choose to arrange a self funded private assessment independently. Our practice does not refer to private ADHD providers outside NHS Right to Choose, or provide shared care, prescribing or investigations and monitoring solely to support private ADHD treatment. These arrangements remain with the private provider. Please check the full ongoing costs before proceeding.

A private diagnosis does not automatically transfer treatment to the NHS. You can still ask us to consider an NHS referral; the receiving service will decide what assessment is needed and whether it can take over care. We continue to provide your usual NHS general practice care.

Treatment and medication

Support is tailored to individual needs and may include practical adjustments, psychological or behavioural support, and medication where appropriate. Not everyone needs or wants medication. If medication is recommended, a specialist must start it, adjust the dose and arrange the necessary safety checks and follow up. These can include weight, blood pressure, pulse and, for children, growth monitoring.

GP prescribing is not automatic after diagnosis. It requires a suitable shared care agreement accepted by the practice, stable treatment and clear specialist follow up arrangements. The Right to Choose and private care policies above apply.

Support while waiting

Practical support can help while you wait, whether or not ADHD is eventually diagnosed. Try reminders, written instructions, manageable steps and predictable routines. Discuss adjustments at work or in education. For children, work with school on support matched to their needs. Sleep routines, regular activity and balanced meals can support wellbeing but do not replace assessment or treatment.

Contact us about low mood, anxiety, sleep problems or difficulties coping. We can discuss appropriate support, including talking therapies where suitable. If you cannot use the online consultation or need help completing it, please contact the practice.

Neurodivergence  ADHD and Autism (ASD) Support and Wellbeing Pack

Further information
NHS adults: www.nhs.uk/conditions/adhd-adults/
NHS children: www.nhs.uk/conditions/adhd-children-teenagers/
NICE guidance: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87