If you are thinking about getting an ADHD assessment, you probably have a lot of questions about the process. It is completely normal to feel a bit unsure, or even a little nervous, when you do not know what to expect.
This simple guide will give you an overview of what an ADHD assessment generally looks like, no matter which provider delivers the assessment, and how it can help you get the answers you need.
Please note that this article is designed to give you an outline of the average ADHD assessment process. Each provider will have their own differences, nuances, and requirements that may not be featured here.
Please visit the following link to learn more about ProblemShared’s ADHD assessment process in particular.
What will you be asked for before an ADHD assessment?
Before you can be assessed for ADHD, you will need to share a few details with your assessment provider.
This will include basic details like your name and date of birth, but also things that you may find a little harder to get hold of, such as:
- Old medical records related to your symptoms - If you have seen other doctors or specialists about your health in the past which may be related to ADHD, those notes can help the assessor understand you better.
- Any medicines you’re taking - This could include anything from hay fever tablets to antidepressants. Your assessor needs to be sure that your medication is not causing or worsening any of the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Old school reports - If you still have them, reports from primary or secondary school can show if you struggled with things like focus or sitting still when you were younger.
You will also need to choose someone to be your ADHD assessment informant. Some providers may use a different term than informant, like your observer.
Ideally, your informant should be someone who knew you when you were a child, and still sees you regularly now. This could be:
- Family members, like your parents, brothers or sisters, or grandparents.
- Your partner.
- Close friends.
Your informant will be asked to complete a questionnaire about you to help your clinician understand how the symptoms of ADHD may have affected you when you were younger.
Why does your assessor need to know about your childhood?
In the UK, adults currently cannot be diagnosed with ADHD unless their symptoms have been present from before the age of 12 years old. This is because it is thought that ADHD is a lifelong condition that cannot be developed when you are an adult.
Your informant is really helpful here because they might remember things about your childhood that you have forgotten.
What if you don't have anyone to ask?
Most providers will not turn you away if you cannot nominate an informant who knew you during your childhood, but it could make it harder for them to work out if you for ADHD.
What to expect during an ADHD assessment for adults
An adult ADHD assessment typically starts with a chat. Your clinician will ask you questions about your life, your health, and if anyone else in your family has ADHD or other related conditions.
They will likely ask about any difficulties you've been experiencing at school or work. To be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, your symptoms need to be causing a moderate-to-severe impact in different areas of your life.
They may ask you to take a few simple tests to help them learn more about your attention span, impulsivity, and hyperactivity levels. These could come in the form of questionnaires or rating scales.
Observations are often included in the assessment, too. This means that the clinician will also watch how you act during your chat. For example, they might notice if you find it hard to sit still, if you fidget, or if you find it tricky to remember things.
You will need to discuss any symptoms of ADHD you experienced as a child. Old school reports may help jog your memory and provide additional proof of past symptoms.
Will your informant need to be there?
Sometimes, your clinician might ask if your informant can join you for part of the chat. This is just so they can ask them a few questions, too.
If they want your informant to come along, they will always ask you first. If your observer cannot make it on the day, the clinician may call them for a quick chat at a different time.
What to bring to an ADHD assessment
Every ADHD assessment may have different requirements, so it is always a good idea to double-check what they want you to bring.
Here are a few general things you may want to consider bringing along:
- Your ID. Your assessor may begin the interview by confirming your identity; a driver’s license or passport will do fine.
- A list of your symptoms. Write down a list of things you find tricky now, and things you struggled with when you were younger.
- School reports. If you were able to provide any school reports, you may want to bring them to the meeting to refer back to.
- Any medicines you currently take. If you take any medicines, bring them with you (or write down the names and how much you take) so you can show the clinician.
- Stories or memories from other people who are not your informant. Even if someone isn't your official informant, you can ask other friends or family members to share memories of times you struggled with focus or energy.
- A list of questions or concerns that you would like to discuss during the assessment. Jotting down these thoughts ahead of time ensures that nothing important gets forgotten.
Getting these things ready before your appointment is a great way to help the clinician understand you and make sure you get the most accurate outcome possible.
Diagnosis and medication
After your assessment, the clinician will tell you if you have ADHD. If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, and if it safe for you to do so, they may suggest trying medication. Medications for ADHD can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity.
While medicine can be really helpful, it is not the only answer. It is just one of many options available to you.
Most people manage their ADHD using a mix of different things, such as:
- ADHD coaching: Speaking to a therapist to learn handy tips for organising your day.
- Lifestyle changes: Finding simple routines that work for you, like taking regular breaks or exercising.
- Support from others: Getting a little extra help and understanding from your family, friends, or workmates.
We’ve written a guide containing 60 methods of managing ADHD without medication.
Finding the right mix of support takes time and patience. Always be honest with your clinician about how you are feeling. If you are worried about anything, or if your medicine makes you feel a bit strange, tell them so they can help you change your plan.
How ProblemShared supports you after diagnosis
If you receive an ADHD diagnosis following your assessment with ProblemShared, we can offer a range of ongoing support options to our clients, including:
- ADHD medication.
- Psychoeducation sessions, where you can learn more about your diagnosis with our team of expert clinicians.
- Education Navigation for qualifying young people still in education to help make your learning environment work better for you.
If you have any other questions about the ADHD assessment process, please visit our FAQs page where your question may be featured. Otherwise, our teams are available to contact for additional support.
ADHD assessments at ProblemShared
If you think you may have ADHD and would like to seek an assessment, we can help.
Our team of specially trained, fully registered clinicians have been assessing patients for autism and ADHD for over half a decade; our assessments are completely remote, allowing you to access clinical support from the comfort of your own home.
As an approved NHS Right to Choose provider, you can ask your GP to refer you to our service. Our current ADHD wait times are available on our Right to Choose page; please be aware that our medication wait times are separate to our assessment wait times.
You can also check out our free ADHD screener quiz - a short online test intended to help you understand whether your current experiences tally with the symptoms of ADHD.
While the screener cannot replace the clinical rigour of a professional ADHD assessment, it can help you understand whether an assessment would be in your best interests.
