Question 1

STEP ONE - INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Accepted Answer

Step one of our private ADHD assessment for children focuses on understanding your concerns as a parent and deciding whether a full child ADHD assessment is appropriate.

Initial Contact

You’ll receive a link to my calendar to book a pre-screening child ADHD assessment. Once you schedule your appointment, a video link will be automatically generated for our meeting.

Questionnaires

Before the initial assessment takes place, you’ll receive a link to complete a series of online questionnaires. These will help me understand your child’s experiences and current challenges. I will review your responses and scores before the assessment to ensure our time together is focused and meaningful.

Pre-screening Assessment

We’ll meet for up to one hour to discuss your concerns and determine whether a full child ADHD assessment is appropriate. During this session, I aim to make the DSM-5 criteria clear and transparent so that together we can explore how your child’s strengths and challenges align with an ADHD profile.

If there is sufficient evidence to suggest that a full ADHD assessment would be beneficial, I’ll invite you to proceed to Step Two of the process (outlined below).

Please note: your child’s attendance at the pre-screening assessment is not mandatory. While it’s always lovely to say hello and make an introduction, the primary information I need at this stage comes from parents or caregivers, including details about your child’s developmental history, milestones, and early experiences.

If a full assessment proceeds, I will meet with your child at that stage, and a clinical observation will be included in the process.

If, after the initial assessment, I determine that a full assessment is not indicated, I will provide a written report summarsing my formulation, observations, and tailored recommendations for support

Question 2

STEP TWO - EVIDENCE COLLECTION

Accepted Answer

Evidence – ADHD Assessments for Children

As part of the child's ADHD assessment, I will contact your child’s school to gather evidence of any ADHD-related challenges observed in the academic setting. This information helps build a well-rounded understanding of how your child functions across different environments.

You, as the parent or caregiver, will also be asked to complete a set of questionnaires to provide information specific to your child’s behaviours, strengths, and areas of difficulty.

Depending on your child’s age, I may also invite them to complete an age-appropriate ADHD questionnaire, giving them the opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences in writing.

Booking Your Clinical Assessment

Once all the relevant evidence has been received (for example, school or informant questionnaires), I will contact you to arrange a suitable date for your child’s clinical assessment.

Clinical assessments can be conducted either online or in person at my clinic room in Christchurch, Dorset.

Question 3

STEP THREE - CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

Accepted Answer

Clinical Observation of Your Child

This stage forms a key part of the private ADHD diagnosis process for your child.

As part of the assessment process, I will meet your child in person at the clinic I use in Christchurch, Dorset. This session provides an opportunity for me to carry out a clinical observation in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The aim of this meeting is to gently observe how your child interacts, communicates, and engages within a calm and structured setting. I pay particular attention to areas such as attention, focus, activity level, and social reciprocity, all of which can offer valuable insight into ADHD presentations.

To help your child feel at ease, I invite them to bring something from home that interests them, for example a favourite toy, book, or object that can act as a conversation starter. I also have a range of toys, fidget tools, drawing materials, and games available in the room to encourage natural interaction and help your child feel comfortable and confident during our time together.

This observation is not a test, but rather an informal and friendly opportunity to understand your child’s unique personality, strengths, and areas of challenge. It forms an important part of building a complete and compassionate picture of your child’s profile.

After I Have Met with Your Child

Following the observation, I will invite you (the parent or caregiver) into the room to ensure that all relevant information (including the following) has been discussed and captured during the initial assessment and the evidence collection stage:

Symptoms:

I will ask questions to gain a clear understanding of your child’s symptoms — their nature, duration, and severity. Some of the areas we’ll explore include:

When you or others first noticed signs of attention difficulties, impulsivity, or hyperactivity.
Whether your child finds it hard to stay focused, follow instructions, stay organised, or complete tasks.
How these challenges appear in different settings, such as at home and at school.

Developmental History & Genetic Vulnerabilities & Links
I will also review your child’s developmental history and genetic vulnerabilities and links to build a detailed picture of how their attention and behaviour have evolved over time.

This includes:
Early developmental milestones and any relevant medical or emotional history.
Your child’s school experiences, including any academic or behavioural difficulties.
Family history of ADHD or other neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions, as these can help us understand potential genetic or environmental influences.

Assessment of Impact:

Understanding how your child’s symptoms affect daily life is a key part of the process. We’ll explore how ADHD-related challenges may impact your child’s:

School life: difficulties with concentration, following instructions, completing work, or managing classroom expectations.

Relationships: how attention, impulsivity, or emotional regulation affect friendships, sibling interactions, or family dynamics.

Daily routines: challenges with organisation, transitions, time management, or completing everyday tasks.

Differential Diagnosis:

Because ADHD can share features with other conditions, I will also consider and explore whether your child’s symptoms could be influenced by or better explained by another factor, such as:

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
Anxiety disorders
Depression or low mood
Learning differences (e.g., dyslexia or processing difficulties)
The impact of stressful or traumatic experiences

To note: we can decide beforehand the day of the assessment whether you would like your child to be present for this part of the discussion. If you prefer, there are comfortable and secure areas within the clinic building where your child can wait nearby during this time.

Question 4

STEP FOUR - FEEDBACK

Accepted Answer

Following the assessment, I will review all of the gathered information and evidence before reaching a diagnostic decision. In some cases, I will be able to share the outcome with you at the end of the session. If further reflection or analysis is needed, we will arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss the results in detail.

During this feedback session, I will explain my clinical formulation and provide tailored recommendations for ongoing support and intervention. These may include:

Recommendations for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for school-aged children
Therapy with an ADHD informed practitioner
Consideration of medication, if clinically appropriate

Question 5

STEP FIVE - REPORT

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive written report will be provided as part of your private child ADHD assessment within two weeks of the feedback session.

This report will summarise all information gathered during the assessment process, including your child’s developmental and psychiatric history, questionnaire and psychometric results, and my recommendations for treatment and ongoing support.

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