ADHD Assessments for children & adolescents

Our approach to ADHD assessments

We use a combination of parent and school reports, clinical observation and interviews to assess the severity of ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents.

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The ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) is a report on the child’s behaviour covering the last 6 months. Usually, parents or carers, and teachers, will complete this report before an appointment. We understand that many schools are not currently able to complete these reports, due to the lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, to avoid putting your child’s assessment on hold we are also able to use historical school reports or learning disorder reports to evaluate any difficulties.

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NICE guidelines do not require CUBI tests for diagnosis (only some providers use it). FDA-approved.

LPC does not do it routinely.

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Other reports that we use:

• Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Teacher and Parent Rating Scale (SNAP-IV)
• Conners Comprehensive Behaviour Rating Scale
• Diagnostic Interview for ADHD (DIVA-5)
• Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)

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Older children and adolescents may wish to complete some of these questionnaires themselves, so they can also give personal insight into any symptoms they struggle with.

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Before your child’s assessment, we encourage you to discuss what to expect with your child. We understand it can be scary for them being one to one with a doctor, but our goal is to make them feel as comfortable as possible. 

Additional assessments and support

We also include assessment for other comorbid conditions that might be complicating a diagnosis of ADHD or worsening symptoms. For example, we can easily assess the presence of other common co-occuring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, autism, or behavioural problems (such as oppositional defiant disorder).

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Similarly, physical health conditions such as sleep problems, gastrointestinal issues, metabolic issues or vitamin deficiencies, immune problems (asthma or allergies) can also complicate ADHD symptoms. We can incorporate a physical examination and liaise with relevant specialists if needed. 

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If your child is struggling with learning or cognitive difficulties, we can also offer a cognitive assessment to determine their level of functioning. If you wish, we can contact your child’s school to work together with their teachers to ensure they receive the right style of education.

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If you believe you may have ADHD too, we also offer a free ADHD test for adults which only takes 3 minutes. If you score high on the test, scientific research indicates there is a significant likelihood you have ADHD. While a high score isn't the same as a diagnosis, it does mean seeing a specialist for an ADHD assessment could be a good next step.

Personalised treatment

Once ADHD is diagnosed, as well as any other potential disorders or conditions, we will develop a personalised treatment plan specifically for your child. We will develop this with your input, based on your child’s needs and unique circumstances. The treatment will include an integrated approach so that your child can achieve their full potential, both academically and socially.

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The treatment plan could include:

• Information and support to better understand and cope (psychoeducation)
• Personal development and self-improvement
• Psychological therapy (talking therapy), such as interpersonal therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, play therapy, or social skills therapy
• Tailored learning techniques and a behavioural learning approach with the school, when appropriate
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
• Mind-body centre exercise to increase the relaxation response
• Empower parents through positive parenting techniques
• Family therapy
• Promote a healthy lifestyle through exercise, diet and micronutrients
• Sleep therapy
• State-of-the-art medication, when appropriate

Our team has published extensively in ADHD research:

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