Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment & Diagnosis for children & teenagers

Quick summary

  • Specialist ADHD assessments for young people
  • Multi-disciplinary, NICE-compliant approach
  • Includes school input and objective testing
  • Clear diagnosis with detailed report
  • Ongoing support, coaching, therapy, and medication options

On this page

Concerned Your Child May Have ADHD?

You might be noticing:

  • Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
  • High energy levels or constant movement
  • Impulsive behaviour
  • Challenges at school, home, or with friendships

  • A professional assessment can help you understand what’s going on and what support is needed.

Will Schools Accept a Private Diagnosis?

Short Answer: Yes — if it meets standards.
Schools and colleges look for:

  • Qualified and experienced clinicians
  • Assessments that follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines

Our multi-disciplinary team meets these standards, so reports are trusted and widely accepted.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects:

  • Attention and concentration
  • Impulsivity
  • Activity levels

Key Points

  • Usually identified in childhood
  • Can continue into adulthood
  • Not typically diagnosed under age 6
  • Only assessed when symptoms significantly impact daily life

Common signs of ADHD

A child or teenager with ADHD may:

  • Daydream frequently
  • Often forget or lose things
  • Be disorganised
  • Seem not to listen
  • Fidget or struggle to sit still
  • Talk excessively
  • Make careless mistakes
  • Act impulsively
  • Take risks without thinking
  • Struggle to wait their turn
  • Have difficulty with friendships
  • Leave tasks unfinished
  • Struggle to start tasks
  • Have very high energy levels
  • Experience sleep difficulties

Types of ADHD

1. Predominantly Inattentive

  • Difficulty focusing and following instructions
  • Easily distracted
  • Forgetful and disorganised

2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive

  • Constant movement or restlessness
  • Talking a lot
  • Interrupting others
  • Acting without thinking

3. Combined Type

  • A mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

Note: Presentation can change over time.

Important to Know

ADHD-like behaviours can also be seen in:

  • Anxiety
  • Learning difficulties
  • Trauma or adverse experiences

A full assessment helps identify the true cause.

Benefits of a diagnosis

For your child

  • Better understanding of their behaviour
  • Access to the right support
  • Improved confidence and wellbeing

For You & Your Family

  • Clear framework for understanding challenges
  • Ability to access services and support
  • Better advocacy for your child

For School

  • Enables reasonable adjustments
  • Helps tailor teaching and support
  • Improves outcomes

Assessment Process (Simple Overview)

  • In-depth discussion (up to 90 minutes)
  • Review of development, behaviour, and concerns
  • Questionnaires completed in advance
  • Decision made on whether full assessment is needed

Child attendance recommended

Available face-to-face or online

  • Input from school or college
  • Provides real-world observations across settings

  • Detailed parent interview
  • Additional questionnaires
  • Builds on earlier information

Conducted online

Child does not attend

  • QbCheck and BRIEF assessments
  • Measures:
    • Attention
    • Activity
    • Impulsivity
  • Provides objective data to support diagnosis

Child attends

Online or face-to-face

  • Observation in school setting
  • Conducted by Clinical Practitioner

  • Clear explanation of outcome
  • Full diagnostic report provided
  • Personalised recommendations included

Online

Child not required

  • Follow-up sessions
  • Guidance for home and school
  • Ongoing advice and support

see our SPC and Therapy pages

Support is available for:

  • Anxiety or low mood
  • Behavioural challenges
  • Relationships and self-esteem
  • Emotional regulation

  • Cognitive assessments
  • Learning profile evaluations
  • Behavioural analysis and coaching

  • Referral to our partner specialist ADHD prescribing pharmacist
  • Medication review and titration (every 2–4 weeks)
  • Ongoing monitoring and support

Next Step

If you’re concerned your child may have ADHD, a professional assessment is the most reliable way to find out.

We provide a clear, supportive, and thorough process to help you move forward with confidence.

READY WHEN YOU ARE

Find out more

Book an initial screening consultation, or ask us anything first – there’s no pressure, and no jargon. Our referrals team gets back to you within a working day.

“We can usually help – and if we can’t we’ll do our best to point you towards someone who can”
Questa Team

NHS experienced clinicians

Online UK-wide

NICE aligned assessments