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Getting an ADHD assessment in the UK typically starts with a GP referral to specialist services. NHS waits can be long. This guide explains the full pathway for children and adults, what to expect and the private assessment option.
Getting an ADHD assessment in the UK typically begins with a GP referral to a specialist service. For children, referral usually goes to community paediatric services or CAMHS. For adults, referral typically goes to specialist adult ADHD assessment services or adult psychiatry. In some areas, self-referral is available. NHS waiting times for ADHD assessment are a significant challenge in many parts of England, with some areas having waits of several years. Private assessment is available for those who can access it and can be followed by shared care arrangements with a GP for ongoing medication prescribing.
SENDhelp places specialist SEN teachers, teaching assistants and support staff in schools and provisions across North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. If your school needs staff experienced with ADHD, we can help.
The most common starting point for an ADHD assessment is a GP appointment. Share your concerns about attention, impulsivity or hyperactivity, describing specific examples and how they affect daily life. The GP may use a brief screening tool such as the ASRS for adults or ask for teacher observations for children. If a referral is appropriate, the GP will refer to the specialist assessment service. Preparing specific examples before the appointment and sharing any screening tool results you have is helpful.
Following a GP referral, your case goes to the specialist assessment service. For children, this is typically community paediatric services or CAMHS. For adults, it is typically specialist adult ADHD assessment services or adult psychiatry. In some areas, self-referral to ADHD services is available without requiring a GP referral first. The service reviews the referral and adds you to the waiting list if assessment is agreed to be appropriate.
NHS ADHD assessment waiting times vary enormously between areas. Some areas assess children within a few months; others have waits of two to five years or more. For adults, waits in many areas are similarly long. While waiting, it is worth implementing any support that can be accessed without a formal diagnosis, connecting with ADHD support organisations and ensuring schools or employers are made aware of the difficulties being experienced. Adults have the Right to Choose, which allows them to select any NHS commissioned provider.
The ADHD assessment involves gathering information from multiple sources and typically includes a clinical interview covering developmental history and current ADHD symptoms, behavioural rating scales completed by parents and teachers for children or by the individual and someone who knows them well for adults, and may include cognitive or neuropsychological testing. The assessment may take place across one or more appointments and may be led by a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist ADHD nurse.
Following the assessment, the clinician will provide a diagnostic conclusion. If ADHD is diagnosed, a report will be provided and treatment options discussed. This may include a trial of medication, a referral for ADHD coaching or psychoeducation, and advice on accessing workplace or educational accommodations. In many areas, ongoing medication prescribing can be managed through a shared care arrangement with the GP following the specialist’s initial assessment and prescription.
Private ADHD assessment is available from consultant psychiatrists and specialist ADHD assessment services and is typically available within a few weeks. Costs range considerably but tend to be several hundred to over a thousand pounds depending on the complexity of the assessment. A private diagnosis should be accepted by GPs, schools and employers. Many GPs will enter into a shared care arrangement to continue prescribing ADHD medication following a private diagnosis, though this is not universal and it is worth checking before pursuing a private assessment.
For related information see our articles on ADHD Diagnosis Process and ADHD Quiz Online Screening Tool.
See your GP and share your concerns about your child’s attention, impulsivity or hyperactivity, with specific examples. The GP can refer to community paediatric services or CAMHS. The school SENCO can also provide information to support the referral. Having teacher observations and, if you have completed one, the results of a screening tool such as the Conners, available to share at the appointment is helpful.
NHS ADHD assessment waiting times vary significantly by area, from a few months to several years. While waiting, it is worth checking whether your local area has a right to choose provider with shorter waiting times, connecting with ADHD support organisations and ensuring any practical support that can be put in place without a formal diagnosis is accessed from schools or employers.
Yes. Private ADHD assessment is available from consultant psychiatrists and specialist ADHD clinicians, typically within a few weeks. Costs vary considerably. A private diagnosis is valid and should be accepted by schools and employers. Many GPs will prescribe ADHD medication under a shared care arrangement following a private diagnosis, though it is worth confirming this with your GP before pursuing private assessment.
Visit our Understanding ADHD hub for more guides on signs, diagnosis, types, medication, executive function and co-occurring conditions.
The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. If you have concerns about ADHD or any neurodevelopmental condition, speak to a qualified healthcare professional. SENDhelp Education Limited accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. Any links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement of their content.
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