Child ADHD Assessments
Compassionate and thorough ADHD assessments to help you make sense of your child’s challenges and strengths, so they can feel supported at home and at school.
Why you might be here
You might have noticed your child struggling, They might be bright and creative but easily overwhelmed by things other children seem to take in their stride.
Everyday things might feel harder than they should. You could be hearing concerns from school that don't match what you see at home, or noticing struggles at home that nobody else seems to pick up on.
You're probably here because you want to understand your child better, and because you want others to understand them too. An ADHD assessment can give you a clearer picture of what's going on, and ways to support them that actually fit with and celebrate who they are.
THE PROCESS
Getting an ADHD assessment
Total cost: £995
Every child is unique, which is why I take a thorough and compassionate approach to assessment. The process is designed to give a well-rounded understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges, and to provide clear, practical recommendations you can use straight away.
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A short call to talk through your concerns, answer any questions, and make sure the assessment process feels like the right next step for your child.
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Before this one-hour appointment, you and your child will complete some questionnaires. With your permission, I may also request input from a teacher or another adult who knows your child well.
In the appointment, we’ll explore your child’s experiences and possible ADHD symptoms in a relaxed and supportive way.
Please note: if at the end of this appointment I do not believe it would be beneficial to complete the full assessment, we can end the process here for a reduced fee.
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Your child will complete a short, child-friendly computer task that looks at attention, impulsivity, and activity levels. This provides extra information to support the overall assessment and can be done at home.
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This 90-minute appointment brings everything together. After carefully reviewing all the information, I’ll share the outcome with you at the end of the session.
You’ll also receive:
A detailed, comprehensive assessment report
A brief letter confirming the outcome (including diagnosis, if appropriate)
THE ASSESSMENT
What to expect during the assessment
Your assessment will include:
Validated ADHD questionnaires
Review of school reports and teacher feedback (if available)
An in-depth clinical interview exploring your child’s life in detail
A QB Check (an objective computer-based test measuring attention, activity and impulse control
A clear diagnostic outcome
A full written report and confirmation letter (if a diagnosis is given)
Why an ADHD assessment might matter
An ADHD assessment should provide more than just answers. It provides an opportunity for you and your child to move forwards with clarity. It can open the door to:
Gaining clarity and understanding of your child's strengths and struggles
Validation and reassurance that your concerns are real and taken seriously
Support and accommodations in school for both learning and emotional wellbeing
Accessing the right medication, if recommended
Connecting with communities that understand ADHD
A CLIENT’S EXPERIENCE
“I think it's natural that the assessment process is somewhat nerve-wracking, but Emily was incredibly professional, compassionate and supportive throughout which made the assessment and the questions much easier. It felt like a very normal conversation about my life, rather than an 'exam' which is what I'd initially feared.”
Frequently asked questions
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I assess children aged 9+
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Yes, appointments can take place in person (in Leicestershire), or by video call, depending on your location and preference.
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I understand that waiting times for ADHD assessments can be significant, and people often choose to pursue a private ADHD assessment for this reason. I aim to start your child’s assessment within two months of your initial consultation. At present, I do have a waiting list for assessments.
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A child ADHD assessment costs £995.
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Yes, it is preferable to involve your child's school in the assessment process. This is usually done by asking them to complete some questionnaires beforehand. I recognise that on occasion, school involvement is not possible due to home-schooling or long periods of non-attendance, but typically, I do ask teachers to complete some questionnaires.
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An assessment typically takes between two and three hours and usually takes place across two appointments.
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Before your child's assessment, you and your child will be sent some brief questionnaires to complete. We will also send out questionnaires for school to complete. During the assessment, you and your child will be asked lots of questions to ensure a comprehensive understanding. If you have any school reports, it is helpful for us to review these before your assessment, but don't worry if you don't have any.
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After the assessment, a diagnostic outcome will be given. Following this, I will provide you with a comprehensive assessment report summarising all the information gathered through the assessment process, as well as detailed recommendations. If a diagnosis of ADHD is given, you will also be provided with a letter confirming your diagnosis, in case you wish to share this with your child’s school.
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I will not prescribe medication, as clinical psychologists are not prescribers. However, some people do choose to access ADHD medication following a diagnosis. If so, there are two options usually available:
Book an appointment with your GP and request a referral to your local children’s ADHD service to discuss medication. GPs cannot start someone on ADHD medication, and so this is why they have to refer you to a specialist service.
Please note: whilst most areas across the UK accept private ADHD assessments, there are some areas that do not. This is not an issue I have had to date but I always advise checking this beforehand with your GP if concerned.Book an appointment with a private prescriber specialising in ADHD. This is usually a psychiatrist or nurse prescriber. I can recommend providers who offer this service if this would be helpful but please note that there will be costs associated with this.
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No, you do not need a GP referral to book an ADHD assessment. I do accept GP referrals, however my assessments are not funded by the NHS.
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This is often a concern for people booking ADHD assessments, and I get it. You have probably been thinking about this for a while, and things likely feel quite difficult for you to get to the point of seeking answers. I cannot, however, ever guarantee that a diagnosis will be given. I take a comprehensive approach to assessments and will always use my clinical judgement and expertise when giving a diagnostic outcome. I always explain in detail my reasoning to ensure you understand how I arrived at the conclusion I did.
During an assessment, I ask about lots of different areas of your life to ensure I get a full understanding. If, in doing this, I identify other areas of difficulty, or ideas for further support or exploration, I will always share this with you following the assessment. I will make recommendations regardless of the diagnostic outcome.