Choosing the right ADHD Assessment Provider for you
Choosing the right ADHD Assessment Provider for you
Navigating the private healthcare sector for an ADHD assessment can be confusing. This blog post aims to provide clear information about ADHD, the assessment process, and what to look for when choosing a provider.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, though this is not a very good description of what actually goes on. It is more accurate to describe ADHD as a difficulty or difference in regulating attention, focus, activity levels, and impulses, including emotional regulation. There are three presentations:
Predominantly inattentive: difficulty with focus, forgetfulness, losing things, distractibility, and difficulty starting or finishing tasks
Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive: extreme restlessness, interrupting others, impulsivity, difficulty waiting, feeling constantly on the go, and difficulty falling asleep
Combined: features of both presentations
ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning symptoms should be present from early childhood, though they may look different at various life stages. Symptoms are influenced by environment, demands, and available support.
Who Can Diagnose ADHD?
Only a psychologist or psychiatrist can provide a formal ADHD diagnosis that will be accepted across services. Other professionals such as ADHD coaches or nurses cannot provide formal diagnoses, and assessments conducted by such individuals may be rejected by the NHS.
Psychologists are trained in psychological development, behaviour, cognition, and mental health. Their assessments explore ADHD within the wider context of the person, including developmental history, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, relationships, and environment. Following diagnosis, psychologists can provide psychoeducation, ADHD coaching, or therapy.
Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who have specialised in psychiatry. Their assessments are medically driven, focusing on symptoms and diagnostic criteria. Following diagnosis, psychiatrists can assess suitability for and prescribe ADHD medication.
What Does a Robust ADHD Assessment Include?
A thorough assessment should include:
A clinical interview exploring symptoms, their presentation across different settings, fluctuations in intensity, and the impact on functioning.
Developmental history to establish that symptoms were present before age 12.
Rating scales across multiple settings (home, school, work, spare time) for example including the SNAP, ASRS, SDQ, and/or RCADS.
QbCheck (computerised objective measure of activity, impulsivity, and inattention) – this is optional per NICE guidelines but adds objective data to the assessment.
Consideration of differential diagnoses including anxiety, depression, thyroid dysfunction, Lyme disease, PANDAS, and processing differences such as dyslexia.
The Assessment Process at Lukas Dressler Psychology
The assessment is split into two stages to minimise the time until appropriate support becomes available:
Stage 1: Screening – initial paperwork is completed, a clinical interview and Qb Check are conducted, and immediate feedback is provided on whether ADHD diagnostic criteria are likely met.
Stage 2: Diagnostic assessment – further questionnaires are gathered across different settings, the clinical interview is extended with particular focus on developmental history, and a detailed diagnostic report is finalised.
Support Following Diagnosis
In line with NICE guidelines, support should be tailored to individual needs and circumstances:
Environmental adjustments including practical recommendations for routines and suggestions for teachers.
Information for parents or carers about supporting a child with ADHD at home and advocating in educational settings.
Individual ADHD coaching or therapy focusing on understanding how ADHD presents, revision strategies, concentration and motivation regulation, and emotional regulation.
Medication can be considered and is prescribed by a psychiatrist.
Questions to Ask When Choosing an Assessment Provider
Who carries out the assessment? Ensure they are a qualified professional who can provide a formal diagnosis accepted across services.
What does the assessment include? Ensure it includes a clinical interview, developmental history, rating scales across settings, and consideration of differential diagnoses.
What happens after the assessment? Ensure appropriate support is available or signposting is provided.
A formal ADHD diagnosis can be incredibly helpful, but receiving a diagnosis without appropriate support can be more harmful than helpful. It is essential to choose a provider who offers comprehensive assessment and ongoing support.
