ADHD Assessment

The ADHD assessment will be carried out over approximately a 4-week period with screening and report writing. There will be a 3 hour and a 2 hour appointment. You will also need some time to fill in forms. If you struggle with forms we can complete the together.

Yes. You will need to come in person for the 3 hour appointment. Face-to-face appointments increase the quality and validity of your assessment. You can attend for the 2 hour appointment online if you wish.

It will involve direct assessment, asking questions about your life and experiences, completing a computerized attention test and other people who know you well to give some information (if available).

You will get the results within 2 weeks or earlier.

You will receive a draft report and can request changes before the final report will be sent to you.

People usually go through a process to adapt to their diagnosis if they receive one. They may revisit and remember aspects of their life and what has been difficult. They will create a new story about their past and future. You can ask your psychologist for therapy and coaching to adapt to your diagnosis.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is a natural variation in human neurology. There are challenges and potential strengths associated with ADHD are:

Attention

• Mind wandering  

• Difficulty maintaining focus on boring things

• Struggling with organisational skills

• Frequently losing important items

• Struggles with completing tasks

• Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly

  Hyperactivity :

• Need for physical movement  

• Difficulty remaining seated when expected - Need to fidget 

• Internal restlessness   

• Difficulty engaging in quiet activities

  Impulsivity: 

• Acting without thinking of consequences  

• Interrupting others  

• Difficulty waiting turn  

• Making quick decisions without consideration

• With understanding and support strategies, individuals with ADHD can lead successful, fulfilling lives. (See infographic about ADHD)

ADHD, autism and learning disability are classed as a disability by UK law. If you are working you can apply for support from the government via access to work. You will still be the same person and it can give you opportunity to understand your life journey more fully. 

I can help clients apply for pip by carrying out an assessment of independent living skills which provides detailed information about their support needs.

Your psychologist does not have any specialised training in sensory assessments. We can refer you to a specialist we work with. 

Undergoing assessment is a very individual decision and can have positives and negatives.

Positives:

• Enables identification of specific strengths and challenges

• Facilitates targeted intervention planning

• Supports the development of appropriate support and educational strategies

• Helps identify optimal learning environments

• Provides documentation for workplace accommodations

• Supports access to specialist interventions

• Validate lived experiences

• Enhances self-understanding

• Reduces self-blame for difficulties

• Provides a framework for understanding past experiences

• Helps develop a positive neurodivergent identity

• Supports family understanding and acceptance

• Informs healthcare providers about communication needs

• Supports the development of personalised coping strategies

• Facilitates appropriate sensory accommodations in healthcare settings

Negatives:

• Increased anxiety during the assessment process

• Emotional distress from detailed examination of difficulties

• Heightened self-consciousness about behaviours and interactions

• Potential impact on self-identity and self-concept

• Risk of internalising diagnostic labels

• Strain on family relationships during assessment period

• Possible stigmatisation following diagnosis

• Changes in how others perceive and interact with the individual

• Time-consuming assessment process

• Multiple appointments causing disruption to routine

• Financial implications if privately funded

• Energy-demanding nature of assessment sessions

• Risk of misdiagnosis if masking behaviours present and Potential overshadowing of co-existing conditions

• Challenges in accessing appropriate post-diagnostic support

• Difficulty processing and adjusting to diagnostic outcome

Note that these effects vary significantly between individuals, and many find the diagnostic process ultimately beneficial despite these challenges. 

All diagnostic assessment rule out alternative explanations and will ass the person's mental health and development.

If you book for an autism and ADHD assessment together less time is needed as your developmental history only has to be reviewed once and hence a discount is applied. Please speak to your psychologist.

Your psychologist is not trained in medical prescribing. You will need to speak to a medical doctor for this such as a psychiatrist or GP