How Can I Get an ADHD Assessment for My Child in the UK and Ireland? A Comprehensive Guide

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can significantly impact a child’s life, including their academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. If you’re a parent in the UK and suspect that your child may have ADHD, you might be wondering, “How can I get an ADHD assessment for my child?” This SEO-optimised guide provides a step-by-step process based on information from the National Health Service (NHS).

Step 1: Speak to a GP or School’s SENCO
If you think your child may have ADHD, the first step is to speak to a General Practitioner (GP) or your child’s teacher or their school’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO). While the GP cannot formally diagnose ADHD, they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment, if necessary. Your school may also be able to arrange a specialist referral for your child.

Step 2: Initial GP Assessment
When you see a GP, they may ask you about your child’s symptoms, when these symptoms started, where the symptoms occur, whether the symptoms affect your child’s day-to-day life, if there have been any recent significant events in your child’s life, if there’s a family history of ADHD, and about any other problems or symptoms of different health conditions your child may have.

Step 3: Watchful Waiting and Parent Training
If the GP thinks your child may have ADHD, they may first suggest a period of “watchful waiting” – lasting around 10 weeks – to see if your child’s symptoms improve, stay the same or get worse. They may also suggest starting a group-based, ADHD-focused parent training or education programme. This does not mean you have been a bad parent – it aims to teach you ways of helping yourself and your child.

Step 4: Specialist Referral
If your child’s behaviour does not improve, and both you and the GP believe it’s affecting their day-to-day life, the GP should refer you and your child to a specialist for a formal assessment.

Step 5: Formal Assessment
You or your child may be referred to a specialist child or adult psychiatrist, a paediatrician, or an appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in the diagnosis of ADHD. The specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after a detailed assessment, which may include a physical examination, a series of interviews with you or your child, and interviews or reports from other significant people, such as partners, parents and teachers.

Step 6: Understanding the Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD in children depends on a set of strict criteria. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentiveness, or 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, have been displaying symptoms continuously for at least 6 months, started to show symptoms before the age of 12, been showing symptoms in at least 2 different settings, symptoms that make their lives considerably more difficult on a social, academic or occupational level, and symptoms that are not just part of a developmental disorder or difficult phase, and are not better accounted for by another condition.

In conclusion, getting an ADHD assessment for your child in the UK involves a series of steps, starting with speaking to a GP or SENCO and ending with a comprehensive assessment by a specialist. Early diagnosis is key to ensuring that your child receives the right support and treatment. If you suspect your child may have ADHD, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals for help and guidance.