Preparing for your child's ADHD assessment

It can be difficult to explain what ADHD is to a child, particularly if they are young. We would advise you do discuss with your child why they are coming to us before they start the assessment. In our experience being open with your child helps them manage the assessment. Depending on their age we are also likely to ask them about their view of possibly having ADHD.

We often explain to children that everybody’s brain works differently. Sometimes this can mean that doing tasks such as getting dressed or doing schoolwork can be difficult for them. Use some examples of what they find more difficult to help explain this. Also discuss your child’s strengths with them to acknowledge all the skills they do have. For primary aged children please see this video which you can show your child to help explain the assessment and why they are coming to us.

For older children and young people this video here will show them what to expect from the one to one session: What to expect at an assessment. 

We do not usually have parents in the one to one assessment. Our clinicians are skilled at making the sessions interesting and fun.  We understand children will be nervous before coming, please see our location videos to familiarise yourself with the clinic you are coming to. We also have a video about what to expect from the one to one assessment.  Our clinicians are skilled in putting young people at ease so that they can really be themselves.

For younger children, to help explain why they are coming to clinic please click here to see this animation. 

Sometimes children may need their parent for the first few minutes to settle and after that we encourage parents to leave for the session. Parents are required to remain on site throughout the assessment therefore the clinician can always bring your child to you if it is felt appropriate.

Your child can have an assessment either through the NHS funded Right to Choose route or through private funding arranged by you. We do accept funding from insurance companies. These assessments are both in person and online they cannot be only online. 

For the NHS Right to Choose route please go to your GP to explore whether an assessment would be suitable and if so, ask to be referred to Evolve Psychology for a combined autism and ADHD assessment. For a privately funded assessment please contact us for the details of costs and appropriate forms.