To prepare for your child’s ADHD assessment, gather school reports and any earlier assessments, write down specific examples of what you’ve noticed at home, and find out who at school knows your child best. Explain the appointment to your child simply and positively. On the day, choose a quiet room with a good connection, and keep a drink, a snack and something to fiddle with nearby.
In short
- Gather school reports, reports from other professionals, health records and a list of examples. The checklist below covers each one.
- NICE says ADHD symptoms must cause at least moderate impairment in two or more settings, so the school’s view matters as well as yours.
- Home and school questionnaires come before the video appointment, so tell school early and ask for the form to be returned in good time.
- Tell your child what is happening in simple terms. There is nothing to pass or get wrong.
- With us, you and your child attend one 60-minute video assessment, and your written report and plan follow within 48 hours.
What should I gather before the assessment?
For our child and young person ADHD assessment (ages 6 to 17), we email your questionnaires soon after you book. You can start gathering the rest straight away. This checklist works for any child ADHD assessment, whoever carries it out.
- School reports from as far back as you have them, plus any letters or notes from teachers about behaviour, learning or friendships.
- Reports from other professionals, such as an educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, paediatrician, CAMHS, occupational therapist or health visitor. Include any plan the school has made, such as a SEN support plan, or an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in England.
- Health records: your child’s red book (personal child health record) or notes on early development, any hospital letters, and a list of current medicines and allergies.
- Your examples. A page or two from home. When did you first notice a difficulty? How do mornings, homework, mealtimes and bedtime go? What does a hard day look like, and what helps?
- Family history: any relatives with ADHD, autism, learning difficulties or mental health conditions. Share only what you know.
- A school contact: the name and email of the teacher or SENCO who knows your child best.
- Practical details: your GP’s name and practice address, and photo ID in case the clinician asks to check who is on the call.
Tip from our clinicians
Specific examples help more than general descriptions. “Lost three school jumpers since September and forgot PE kit four times last week” tells a clinician more than “forgetful”. Write examples down as they happen, so you don’t have to rely on memory on the day.
Who should be involved, and who gives consent?
For a child under 16, a parent or carer with parental responsibility books the assessment and gives consent. On GOV.UK, the birth mother automatically has it. A father usually has it if he was married to the mother or in a civil partnership with her when the child was born, or if he is on the birth certificate through joint registration. Step-parents don’t automatically have it, and other situations vary, so check the page if you are unsure.
Where possible, both parents should know about the assessment and share what they’ve noticed. Each parent sees different things, and agreeing in advance avoids surprises when the report arrives. If you are separated and disagree, or a court order covers decisions about your child’s care, tell us before you book. Young people aged 16 and 17 can book and consent for themselves. A parent or carer is welcome to join and, where possible, completes the home questionnaire. The young person’s own views are central, and they can speak to the clinician alone for part of the session.
What will school be asked, and when?
NICE requires symptoms to show in two or more settings, and the NHS notes that a specialist will usually contact a SENCO, a teacher, or both. With us, and with your consent, we send the school’s questionnaire to a teacher or SENCO who knows your child well, and ask for it back before your session.
- Tell school early. Let the class teacher or SENCO know you’ve arranged an assessment, and that a questionnaire will arrive from the clinic.
- Pick the right person. Choose the adult who sees your child most, not the most senior.
- Allow for holidays. If your appointment falls near half-term or the summer break, ask school to complete the form before term ends.
- Tell us if it’s late. We follow up with school. If their input isn’t possible in time, we can use recent school reports or a teacher’s written comments and explain the limits in the report. If key information is still missing, we may need to wait for it before the report is finished.
If your child is home-educated, we ask for information from other settings where adults know them well, such as tutors, clubs or activity leaders.
How do I explain the assessment to my child?
Keep it simple and honest, and tailor it to their age. For every age: nothing is a test, there are no right or wrong answers, they won’t be in trouble for anything they say, and they can ask for a break.
| Age | What you could say | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 | “We’re going to meet a doctor who helps children find out what makes school and home easier for them.” | Keep it short and calm. Say it’s a chat on the screen, and tell them when it is in words they can follow, such as “after lunch on Saturday” |
| 9 to 12 | The same, plus: “The doctor will talk to me first, then to you. You can ask questions.” | Show them where it will happen. Let them choose a drink or something to fiddle with. Answer worries honestly |
| 13 to 17 | Explain why you’ve arranged it and what you hope it will answer. Ask what they think. | Involve them in the decision. Their own views are central, and they can speak to the clinician alone for part of it |
What happens on the day?
- Before your appointment: you complete your home questionnaire, and school returns theirs.
- The video assessment (60 minutes, with your child and you). The clinician talks with your child about how things feel for them, at a pace that suits their age, and asks you about pregnancy and birth, early development, health, family history, school, friendships and what you’ve noticed. The clinician may ask to speak with your child, or with you, on your own for part of the time. Teenagers can talk on their own for part of it.
- Your report and plan, within 48 hours of the assessment. It explains the outcome and the reasons for it, and it sets out recommendations for home, school and any treatment. You can share it with school if you wish.
For a video session, use a quiet, private room on a charged device with a reliable connection. Keep a drink, a snack and a fidget toy to hand, and plan something calm and enjoyable for afterwards. Our opening hours are 10am to 8pm, 7 days a week, so you can often find a time that means your child misses less school.
What adjustments can we make for your child?
Tell us beforehand if your child is anxious, autistic or finds screens hard, and what usually helps. We keep the session child-friendly, and we can usually offer breaks whenever needed, the camera off for a moment if that helps, and a support person with you. If your child doesn’t want to talk, don’t force it: tell the clinician, take a break and let them adapt.
What happens after the assessment?
There are usually three possible outcomes: ADHD is diagnosed; ADHD isn’t diagnosed and the report explains what else may account for your child’s difficulties; or the clinician recommends further assessment, for example for autism. Whatever the result, you receive practical recommendations. Our fee includes the written report and plan, which you can share with school if you wish.
School
Schools can put support in place based on your child’s needs, without waiting for a diagnosis (SEN support in England is help your child gets at school). A report can be useful evidence if you ask for more help, such as an education, health and care needs assessment in England. Each UK nation has its own system, and some councils set their own expectations about private reports, so talk to the SENCO early. Our guide to ADHD support at school explains each nation’s process.
Treatment options
NICE puts support and adjustments at home and school first. For children aged 5 and over, medication is offered only if symptoms still cause persistent significant impairment after those adjustments have been put in place and reviewed. If you and your clinician decide medication is right, ADHD titration finds the dose through regular reviews. Once the dose is stable, we can send your GP a request to take over prescribing under shared care, though GPs can say no.
If you’re with ADHD Health
Our child and young person assessment costs £499, paid when you book. You and school complete questionnaires first. Then you and your child have a 60-minute video assessment with Dr Arjun Mehta, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Your family-focused written report and plan follow within 48 hours of the assessment. Appointments are usually available within days, and young people aged 16 and 17 can book for themselves. See all our fees.
Next step
Ready for a child or young person ADHD assessment?
A consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist assesses children and young people aged 6 to 17 by secure video, using questionnaires from home and school. Your family gets a written report and plan within 48 hours. It costs £499.
Common questions
Does it matter if my child behaves well on the day?
No. A short video session is only one snapshot of your child. That is why the clinician also uses your history, your examples and the school’s view. Share what you see at home even if your child seems calm during the session.
Should I tell my child’s school before I book?
It helps. The school’s view is part of the assessment, and a teacher who expects the questionnaire is likely to complete it sooner. We only send information to school with your consent.
Do I need a referral from my GP or school?
Not for a private assessment with us. We only send your report to your GP with your consent, but we do need to contact your GP before we can prescribe. For the NHS route, ask your GP or your child’s SENCO. Our guide to Right to Choose and private assessment compares the options in England.
Can my 16 or 17 year old book the assessment themselves?
With us, yes. Young people aged 16 and 17 can book and consent for themselves, and a parent or carer is welcome to join and to complete the home questionnaire where possible. Under 16, a parent or carer with parental responsibility books, consents and attends. Other clinics have their own rules, so check before you book.
What if my child is under 6?
We don’t assess children under 6. For very young children, NICE recommends a parent training programme as the first step, and says medication for under 5s should only be started after a second specialist opinion. Your GP or health visitor can advise and refer you to NHS services.
Sources
- NICE. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87), sections on diagnosis and on medication for children and young people. Last updated January 2025.
- NHS. ADHD in children and young people: diagnosis. Page reviewed 19 March 2025.
- GOV.UK. Children with special educational needs and disabilities: special educational needs support. Updated 24 September 2026.
- GOV.UK. Parental rights and responsibilities: who has parental responsibility. Accessed October 2026.
