The Child ADHD Assessment Guide
Chapter 1
Introduction
Welcome. This is the start of our child ADHD assessment guide, written for any parent or carer who has begun to wonder whether ADHD might explain what they are seeing in their child. We understand that arriving here can feel like a big step, so we have tried to make this calm, clear and honest. You do not need to know anything yet. You only need to be curious about how to help your child.
Why we made this child ADHD assessment guide
Many parents reach this point after months, sometimes years, of sensing that something is harder for their child than it seems to be for others. Perhaps school has raised a concern, or perhaps you are the one noticing the gap between how much your child is trying and how much is going wrong.
Whatever brought you here, your child deserves clear information rather than guesswork, and so do you. This guide gathers, in one place, what we would want a member of our own family to know before deciding whether to seek an assessment for their child.
What you will find here
We move at a steady pace, from understanding to action:
- what ADHD actually is, and the myths worth letting go of
- how ADHD can show up in children, at home and at school, and why the two can look so different
- your options for assessment, including the NHS, Right to Choose, and going private
- what actually happens in an assessment, step by step
- what the results mean, including what happens if it is not ADHD
- the treatment and support available afterwards
We are open about the practical questions too, including the cost of an assessment, because clarity helps you decide.
A few things we believe
A private assessment sits alongside NHS care, never in place of it. If your child can access an NHS assessment and you are content to wait, that is a perfectly good path, and this guide will help you understand it.
We also believe an assessment is not a test your child passes or fails. It is a careful, structured process that helps everyone understand how your child's mind works, drawing on what you see at home and what their school sees too. Whatever the outcome, you should come away knowing more than you did before.
If you are reading this for yourself as well as for your child, there is a companion guide for adults that mirrors this one.
Common questions
Who is this guide for?
Any parent or carer who thinks ADHD might explain their child's difficulties, and anyone supporting them. We focus on children aged 6 and over. If you are looking for yourself, the guide for adults covers the same ground.
Do I need to know anything about ADHD before I start?
No. We begin from the basics and build up gently, so you can start here with no prior knowledge.
Can this guide tell me whether my child has ADHD?
No. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Only a full assessment can tell you that, and this guide explains how to arrange one and what it involves.
Is private assessment instead of the NHS?
No. Private assessment sits alongside NHS care. We set out all the routes honestly so you can choose the one that suits your family's situation.
Download the complete guide
The Child ADHD Assessment Guide as one ebook. Name and email only.
Get the complete guide →