Private ADHD Assessments

At Assessing Neurodivergence UK, we provide private ADHD assessments for adults and children, led by a Chartered Practitioner Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), with over 16 years’ professional experience across the NHS and independent practice. Our assessments are designed to support accurate, thoughtful private ADHD diagnosis, with a clear focus on individual strengths, challenges, and support needs.

Our private ADHD assessment process is evidence-based and person-centred, delivered in line with recognised clinical frameworks. We support adults seeking clarity on attention, focus, and executive functioning, as well as children and families seeking understanding and practical guidance.

Each assessment is individually tailored and explores developmental history, current functioning, and the everyday impact of ADHD. Assessments lead to clear, considered recommendations to support learning, wellbeing, daily life, and longer-term outcomes.

Private ADHD Assessment Options:

We offer structured private ADHD assessments for both adults and children, with each pathway designed to reflect developmental stage and individual circumstances.

Child ADHD Assessments

Our private ADHD assessments for children focus on understanding areas such as attention, organisational skills, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional regulation, and we explore how these may be affecting home life, education, social connections, and day-to-day functioning. Assessments are carried out sensitively and include clear, practical guidance to support both children and their families.

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Adult ADHD Assessments

Our private ADHD assessments for adults are designed to explore lifelong patterns of attention, organisation, and executive functioning, including how ADHD may affect work, relationships, and daily life. Each assessment provides clear diagnostic conclusions and practical recommendations to support ongoing well-being and functioning.

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Professional Registration & Trusted Standards

Our private ADHD assessments are delivered in line with recognised professional and regulatory standards, supporting ethical clinical practice, diagnostic integrity, and responsible handling of personal information.

Clinical Expertise and Leadership in Private ADHD Assessments

Private ADHD assessments at Assessing Neurodivergence UK are led by Dr Sara Dowsett, a Chartered Practitioner Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). All private ADHD assessments and diagnoses are delivered in line with recognised clinical and ethical standards.

Dr Dowsett holds a Doctorate in Psychology (PsychD), alongside an MSc, BSc (Hons), and Advanced Diploma, and has experience assessing ADHD in both adults and children. Her approach to private ADHD diagnosis is evidence-based and person-centred, taking time to understand attention, impulsivity, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and the wider impact of ADHD across home, education, and work.

Each private ADHD assessment follows established clinical frameworks and uses recognised assessment tools. Reports are written to a professional clinical standard and include clear diagnostic conclusions, along with practical recommendations to support learning, wellbeing, daily functioning, and longer-term outcomes.

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What Our Clients Say

Feedback from adults, parents, and families who have completed a private ADHD assessment with us.

ADHD Assessment Feedback

We recently asked Dr Dowsett to assess our seven-year-old daughter, and we were so impressed with the whole experience. Sara was clear and confident in her approach, while also being incredibly reassuring and adaptable in the way she interacted with our daughter. She adjusted her tone and style perfectly to make the assessment a positive and comfortable experience for her. The report she produced was thorough, detailed, and has been accepted by our daughter’s school without any issues. We would highly recommend Dr Dowsett as a knowledgeable, compassionate, and professional assessor.

Jessica Poole.

ADHD Assessment Feedback

Sara was very supportive throughout my assessment and handled the sensitivity of the process really well which I was grateful for. Sara made me feel so at ease and was so easy to talk to. I would recommend this assessment and Sara to anyone else who feels like ADHD is having an impact on their life.

Alex, Wimbourne.

ADHD Assessments FAQ

Answers to common questions about private ADHD assessments, including the process, timescales, and what to expect for adults and children:

How do I get assessed for ADHD

Getting assessed for ADHD involves a clear and structured process. The route you take can vary depending on whether you are seeking an NHS assessment or a private assessment, and whether the assessment is for a child or an adult. NHS assessments usually begin with a discussion with your GP about your concerns and a request for a referral. In some areas, this may include the Right to Choose pathway, although availability and waiting times can vary.

If you are seeking a private ADHD assessment, you are in the right place. All assessments at Assessing Neurodivergence UK begin with an initial assessment appointment lasting up to one hour. During this session, you will meet with Dr Sara Dowsett to discuss your concerns in detail. This may involve talking about your child if you are a parent seeking an assessment for them, or about yourself if you are an adult considering an ADHD assessment.

During the initial assessment, Dr Dowsett will explore how your experiences may or may not relate/match up to the DSM 5 criteria for ADHD. This includes discussing strengths and challenges, reviewing current evidence across key areas of functioning, and understanding the impact of ADHD related traits on mental health, education or work, daily organisation, and social relationships.

At the end of the appointment, a clear recommendation will be made. This may involve proceeding with a full ADHD assessment if appropriate, or, if ADHD is not felt to be the best fit, alternative explanations and supportive recommendations will be discussed. This ensures that everyone leaves the process with clarity, guidance, and an appropriate next step.

How much does an ADHD assessment cost?

Initial Assessments cost £150 (this fee will be taken off the full assessment fee, leaving the following amount to pay):

Full Child ADHD Assessment – £1000
Full Adult ADHD Assessment – £800

What happens in an ADHD assessment?

Child Assessments

After the initial assessment and evidence collection stage, you will be invited to the clinic for the full assessment.

I will meet your child in person in Christchurch, Dorset.

This includes a clinical observation in a calm, supportive setting.

This is not a test.

I gently observe how your child communicates, focuses, regulates emotions, and engages. Attention, activity level, and social interaction are considered.

Children can bring a favourite toy or comfort item. The room includes games and materials to help them feel at ease.

After the observation, I meet with you to review:

ADHD symptoms and when they first appeared
Developmental history
School experiences
Impact at home and in education
Family history
Any other factors that may explain the symptoms

Where appropriate, I also consider alternative explanations such as anxiety, autism, learning differences, or emotional factors.

A feedback session follows once all information has been reviewed.

Adult Assessments

For adults, the assessment takes place either online or in person.

This includes a structured clinical interview and observation.

We explore attention, organisation, emotional regulation, and day-to-day functioning.

You may bring someone who knows you well, as ADHD begins in childhood and early history is important.

This is a collaborative discussion. Not a test.

At the end of the session, we discuss the outcome and next steps.

How long does an adhd assessment take?

The initial ADHD assessment lasts up to one hour, and the full assessment stage can take up to 1.5 hours. For a child assessment, the timescale between the initial and full assessment depends on how long it takes for you and your child’s school to return the required evidence forms. As soon as all forms are received, we will contact you to book the next available appointment for the full assessment.

How to prepare for ADHD assessment?

Initial Assessment

To prepare for an ADHD initial assessment, you will be asked to complete a pre-assessment questionnaire. It will be helpful to reflect in advance on your child’s strengths, any areas of difficulty, and how these show up at home, school, and socially. Gathering any relevant school reports or notes you already have can also be useful, although you do not need to prepare anything formal.

If, after the initial assessment, a full ADHD assessment is recommended, you will be guided clearly through each step of the process. Between the initial appointment and the full assessment there is an evidence collection stage. This involves contacting your child’s school to gather information about how they function in the classroom, as well as asking you to complete questionnaires about your child’s behaviour, strengths, and challenges. Depending on your child’s age, they may also be invited to complete an age-appropriate questionnaire themselves.

Once all the relevant evidence has been received, such as school or informant questionnaires, you will be contacted to book the clinical assessment.

At what age can you be assessed for ADHD?

Children and young people can be assessed for ADHD from around age 6 up to and including 17 years old. The adult assessment pathway starts at age 18.

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Take the Next Step with a Private ADHD Assessment

Get in touch today to arrange a private ADHD assessment and take the next step toward clarity, understanding, and practical support.

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