The Child ADHD Assessment Guide
Chapter 8
Getting the results
Waiting for your child's assessment results can be the most anxious part of the whole process. We try to make it the least uncertain. You will know when to expect the answer, what form it will take, and what each possible outcome means for what comes next.
What you will receive
The result comes to you in writing, in two stages. First a clear outcome letter that states the conclusion, then a fuller report that sets out the picture in detail.
The full report is yours to keep and to share. It explains what was assessed, what was found, and what we recommend, whether that is treatment, support at school, or further steps elsewhere. It is written to be useful to you, to your child's GP, and to the school.
The assessment
We gather everything we need, from you, the school and the interview, and share our initial thinking with you where we can.
Your outcome letter
A clear written outcome letter reaches you within 48 hours, so you are not left waiting on the headline answer.
The full report
The detailed report follows within 14 days, and usually sooner, with findings and tailored recommendations for home and school.
What happens next
If you wish to act on the recommendations, the chapter on treatment and support sets out the options.
From the assessment to a report you can act on.
If ADHD is confirmed
If the assessment confirms ADHD, the report says so plainly and explains the reasoning. For many families this is a settling moment, the point where a long run of difficulties finally has an explanation, and your child can begin to understand that they are not the difficult one.
A confirmed diagnosis also opens doors. It gives a recognised basis for treatment and support, and for adjustments at school. You decide what to do with it, at your own pace.
If the picture is less certain
Sometimes the answer is not clear-cut on the first pass. That is not a failure of the process; it is the process being thorough. We would rather take the time to be right than rush to a label on a child. Where helpful, we may gather a little more information, such as further input from school, before reaching a firm conclusion.
You move forward with clarity
Whatever the outcome, the aim is the same: you and your child should understand things better than you did before, and know what your next step is. Clarity is the point. A diagnosis is one valuable form of it, and a well-explained alternative is another.
Common questions
When will I get my child's results?
A written outcome letter reaches you within 48 hours of the assessment, and the full report follows within 14 days, usually sooner.
What does the full report contain?
It explains what was assessed, what was found, and what we recommend for home and school. It is written to be useful to you, your child's GP and the school.
What if the assessment says my child does not have ADHD?
Your child's difficulties are still real and still matter. A thorough assessment considers other explanations, so if something else fits better we say so and point you towards the right help. Your child leaves with direction, not a closed door.
Can I share the report with the school and our GP?
Yes. The report is yours to keep and to share, and it is written to be useful to your child's GP and to the school as a basis for support.
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