Here at the Neurodevelopmental Consultants Clinic (NDC) we field many questions from parents about what a child ADHD assessment entails. We will answer some of the most important and common questions below. Hopefully this will help you prepare if you are thinking about getting an assessment for your child.
What does a child ADHD assessment involve?
There are some key elements that a high-quality child ADHD assessment should include. You can find the national guidance here.
Before your child’s assessment
Before the appointment, you should be asked to provide any relevant school or medical records. This is so the assessment team can better understand your child’s needs and development in different areas. You will also be given questionnaires to complete.
The assessment team should also liaise with your child’s school or college. The school or college will be asked to complete some questionnaires. Ideally, your assessment team will also come and observe your child in school.
On the day of the assessment
Once the questionnaires and school observations are completed you should be offered a face to face appointment with the assessment team. This should last approximately 2 hours and will involve a parental and child interview. Your child might also complete a computerised test of attention.
After the assessment
Ideally, your assessment would have been completed by a multi-disciplinary team who will discuss all the information they have collected. Then they will make a decision about whether your child has ADHD. Every service is different, but here at the NDC we feedback the outcome of our assessments on the day. An opportunity to discuss appropriate treatments should also be given.
Following the assessment, you should receive a comprehensive assessment report which details the outcome and recommendations. This is an important document as it can be used to get your child help they might need in future – so keep it safe!
Who will be involved in my child’s ADHD assessment?
We believe that the best ADHD assessments are delivering by teams of specialists from different professional backgrounds. Ideally, your child’s assessment team will include a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and a Clinical Psychologist. In addition, it might include professionals from nursing, educational or occupational therapy backgrounds. It is important to check the qualifications and experience of your assessment team.
OK I’m interested. How do I get my child an assessment?
You might want to first try seeking a referral to your local NHS service via your GP. Unfortunately, many areas have long waiting lists and so some people consider using a private provider. Here at the Neurodevelopmental Consultants Clinic we can provide Consultant led NHS standard assessments without delay.
