ADHD Assessment: What Actually Happens

This guide walks you through each step, so you know exactly what happens, from booking to support afterwards.

Before booking, it's important to check that an online assessment suits your situation. At Raiys, our assessments are for:

• adults aged 18 and over
• children and young people aged 5 to 17, with a parent or carer taking part

You'll also need

• to be registered with a GP
• a laptop, desktop or larger tablet (10 inches or bigger), propped up hands-free. Phones and small tablets aren't suitable
• a stable internet connection and a private, quiet space
• to keep your camera on during the appointment

For children's assessments, a parent or carer needs to be present and on camera for key parts of the session. Your child doesn't need to be on camera the whole time.

An online assessment may not be the right fit for now if you or your child:

• need urgent medical help, or are having thoughts of self-harm or ending your life
• are already receiving ADHD treatment from another provider (please contact us first)
• have a learning disability or communicate mainly without speech
• are in active treatment for an eating disorder or a drug or alcohol dependency
• are detained in hospital, in prison, serving in the armed forces, or subject to an active safeguarding investigation

This isn't a rejection. It's about making sure you get the right care in the right setting. If you have a visual or hearing impairment, or you're not sure whether any of this applies, get in touch and we'll help you find the best way forward.

If you're in crisis right now, call 999, go to A&E, or call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time of day or night.

Before your appointment, you'll complete some questionnaires online through your secure Raiys portal. They help your clinician understand your story before you meet, so your time together can focus on what matters most.

For adults, these include

• a short questionnaire about common ADHD traits
• questions about how things affect your work, home life and relationships
• your childhood and background
• your physical health, medicines and sleep
• an optional questionnaire for someone who knows you well, like a partner, parent or close friend

For children, these include

• questionnaires for parents about behaviour, development and daily life
• a questionnaire for school, completed by a teacher who knows your child well
• your child's health and background

There are no right or wrong answers. These forms aren't a test, and they can't diagnose ADHD on their own. Take your time, do them in chunks if that helps, and answer based on how things usually are.

Your assessment takes place by secure video call with a specialist ADHD clinician. It feels more like a guided conversation than a test.

For adults, the appointment usually lasts around 90 minutes to 2 hours. Your clinician uses the DIVA-5, a structured interview for adult ADHD, to talk through your experiences in childhood and now. They'll also ask about school, work, relationships, health and family history.

For children, much of the appointment is a conversation with you, the parent or carer, about your child's development, behaviour, school life and health. The clinician will also spend time with your child in a way that suits their age.

At the start, your clinician will explain how the session works and ask for your consent. You'll also be asked some questions about wellbeing and safety. These are asked to everyone and are part of good care.

You can take breaks, take your time with answers, or ask for a question to be explained differently. Having a drink, notes or something to fiddle with nearby is completely fine.

Your clinician brings together everything they've learned, using internationally recognised criteria (DSM-5 and ICD-11), in line with NICE guidelines. They look at whether ADHD traits:

• started in childhood
• show up in more than one setting
• have lasted over time
• have a real impact on daily life

Sometimes your clinician can share their conclusion at the end of the appointment. Other times, more complex assessments are discussed with our wider clinical team before a decision is made. This is a quality check, not a sign that something is wrong.

The outcome might be

• ADHD is diagnosed, along with the presentation that fits best
• ADHD isn't diagnosed, with an explanation of what else might be going on and what could help
• something else is identified as well, such as anxiety or autism, which can occur alongside ADHD

Whatever the outcome, the difficulties that led you here are real, and you deserve support.

Your written report is usually ready within 14 days, and you can read it securely in the Raiys app. It explains:

• the outcome and how your clinician reached it
• how ADHD affects different areas of life
• strengths as well as challenges
• practical recommendations for home, school or work

You can choose to share your report with your GP, your child's school, your employer or college, to help put support in place.

A diagnosis is a starting point, not an end point. Everyone diagnosed at Raiys can use BeChange, our digital programme designed to help you understand ADHD and build practical, everyday strategies at your own pace.

Because ADHD can affect every area of life, BeChange also takes a holistic approach to self-care, with resources covering Nutrition, Mind, Life, Resilience and Move Matters.

Raiys doesn't currently prescribe ADHD medication. If you'd like to explore medication, you can share your report with your GP to talk about next steps.

Raiys works nationwide, offering online ADHD assessments for adults and for children and young people aged 5 to 17 across the UK. With us, you can expect:

• an experienced, specialist ADHD team
• assessments that follow NICE guidelines
• a secure video appointment from your own home
• a detailed written report, usually within 14 days
• digital post-diagnostic support through BeChange

If you're not sure whether an assessment is right for you or your child, get in touch for a friendly, no-pressure chat.

Ready to take the next step? Find out more about our adult ADHD assessment or child ADHD assessment.

Knowing what to expect can make the whole process feel more manageable. Whatever the outcome, an assessment is about understanding, and finding the support that fits.