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Child ADHD Diagnostic Assessment

ADHD diagnostic assessments aim to build a clear, evidence-based understanding of a child or young person’s attention, activity levels, and regulation profile, alongside their strengths and support needs. Assessments are carried out thoughtfully and collaboratively, supporting families to understand behaviour and plan appropriate next steps.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in attention regulation, activity levels, and impulse control that impact daily functioning across settings. Presentation can vary significantly between individuals and may change over time as demands increase.

What is ADHD?

An ADHD assessment may be helpful for children and young people who:

Find it hard to sustain attention, organise tasks, or manage everyday demands at home or school
Appear constantly on the go, restless, or struggle to slow down when needed
Act impulsively or find it difficult to pause, wait, or think things through
Experience emotional overwhelm, frustration, or rapid shifts in mood
Seem to be working much harder than peers to manage expectations

Who Are Assessments For

When an Assessment May Be Helpful

An ADHD assessment may be helpful when:

A child or young person expresses that they feel different, are “always in trouble,” or do not understand why things feel harder for them
Difficulties are persistent and noticeable across more than one setting, such as home and school
Increasing academic or social demands are leading to stress, reduced confidence, or emotional distress
Current strategies or support do not seem to be helping as expected
Families or schools are unsure whether ADHD may be contributing to a child’s difficulties

What the Assessment Involves

Step 01

Initial enquiry and screening begins with an initial enquiry and completion of screening questionnaires and background information, including school input where appropriate, to consider whether a full ADHD assessment is likely to be helpful.
Step 02

Review and planning involves careful consideration of all available information so that the assessment approach is tailored to the child or young person, and in some cases guidance or consultation may be recommended instead of a full assessment.
Step 03

Developmental history and clinical interview explores early development, attention, activity levels, learning, and emotional regulation over time through structured discussion with parents and, where appropriate, the young person.
Step 04

Direct assessment and cognitive assessment involves seeing the child or young person to understand attention, working memory, processing, and regulation alongside clinical observation.
Step 05

Multidisciplinary clinical integration brings together information from across the assessment through an experienced multidisciplinary team to develop a clear clinical formulation.
Step 06

Written report and feedback involves sharing a comprehensive written report with families, followed by a feedback appointment to discuss conclusions and next steps.

Report Recognition & Professional Standards

Assessments at Seafield Psychology are conducted by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists and other appropriately registered professionals, including Registered Nurses and Speech and Language Therapists. All clinicians involved in the assessment process have several years of experience delivering neurodevelopmental assessments within NHS services.

Assessments are overseen by Dr Catriona Amberton, Clinical Director of Seafield Psychology and Team Lead for a commissioned autism diagnostic service in West Essex. This ensures that assessment processes mirror established NHS pathways in structure, governance and clinical standards.

Assessments are aligned with NICE guidance and are based on a comprehensive, multi-informant approach, incorporating clinical interview, developmental history and validated rating scales, with information gathered from relevant settings (for example home and school, where appropriate). Reports are suitable for sharing with schools, GPs, employers, local authorities and other professionals, and can support EHCP processes and requests for reasonable adjustments where appropriate.

Assessment may also inform decisions about behavioural strategies, educational adjustments, or onward referral where appropriate.

Waiting Times

Appointments are typically available within a few weeks of initial enquiry. Following completion of the assessment process, reports are usually provided within two to three weeks.

NHS waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments can often extend to many months or longer. A private assessment can offer clarity and support sooner, allowing families to move forward with appropriate understanding and planning.