How Do I Get My Child Assessed for ADHD?

This guide walks you through the process step by step, from noticing your concerns to getting a report and support.

Every child is different, and all young children can be busy, distractible or impulsive at times. With ADHD, these differences are more noticeable than for other children the same age, last over time and show up in more than one place, such as home and school.

You might notice your child

• finds it hard to sit still, wait their turn or play quietly
• seems not to hear instructions, especially ones with several steps
• loses things, forgets things or finds getting ready very hard
• finds starting homework harder than doing it
• has big feelings that come on quickly and take longer to settle back down
• can focus for hours on things they love, but not on other tasks

If you have a daughter: ADHD in girls is often missed. Girls are more likely to be described as chatty, quiet or disorganised than disruptive. Many work hard to keep up at school, then release all that built-up stress once they get home.

It helps to write down a few real examples of what you notice and when. A note on your phone is enough. This will be really useful later.

School: ask your child's teacher, or the school's special educational needs lead, what they notice. Do they see the same patterns? School can often put support in place straight away, without waiting for a diagnosis. Their view is also an important part of any assessment.

Your GP: your GP can talk through your concerns and refer your child to an NHS service, usually a community paediatrician or child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). In some areas, school or a health visitor can refer too.

NHS waiting times for children's ADHD assessments vary across the UK and are often long. In England, you may be able to use Right to Choose to be referred to a different NHS-funded provider, though availability now varies by area.

While you wait, you don't need a diagnosis to ask for support at school or to try practical strategies at home.

Many parents choose a private assessment so their child can be seen sooner. You can usually refer your child yourself. Before booking, it's worth checking that the service uses specialists experienced in children's ADHD, follows NICE guidelines and is clear about what happens after diagnosis.

At Raiys, our online children's ADHD assessments are for young people aged 5 to 17. An online assessment works well if:

• your child is registered with a GP
• you can join a video call on a laptop, desktop or larger tablet (10 inches or bigger), propped up hands-free
• you have a stable internet connection and a private, quiet space
• you, as the parent or carer, can be present and on camera for key parts of the session

Your child doesn't need to be on camera the whole time.

Sometimes a different route may suit your child better, for example if they have a learning disability, communicate mainly without speech, or are in crisis. This isn't a rejection. It's about making sure they get the right care in the right setting.

If your child is in crisis right now, call 999, go to A&E, or contact your GP or NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland).

A good assessment looks at your child's whole life, so you'll be asked for information before the appointment. At Raiys, this is done online through your secure portal and usually includes:

• questionnaires for you, about your child's behaviour, development and daily life
• a questionnaire for school, completed by a teacher who knows your child well
• your child's background, such as early development, health, and any previous assessments or support

Information from school matters because ADHD needs to show up in more than one setting. If you can, ask the teacher early, so they have time to complete it.

It also helps to gather

• recent school reports or notes from parents' evenings
• any letters from health or education professionals
• your notes from Step 1

There are no right or wrong answers. Try to describe how things usually are, rather than on a particularly good or difficult day.

The assessment is carried out by a specialist clinician with experience in children's ADHD. At Raiys, it takes place by video.

Much of the appointment is a conversation with you about your child's development, behaviour, school life, friendships, health and family history. Your clinician will also spend time with your child, in a way that suits their age, to understand how they experience things.

You can help your child feel ready by

• letting them know they'll be talking to someone who helps children understand how they think, learn and feel
• reassuring them it isn't a test and there are no wrong answers
• having a drink, snack or something to fiddle with nearby
• planning breaks if they need them

It's completely fine if your child is restless, quiet or doesn't want to talk much. Clinicians are used to this, and it's all useful information.

After the assessment, you'll receive a written report. At Raiys, it's usually ready within 14 days and you can read it securely in the Raiys app. It explains:

• whether your child has ADHD, and what that means for them
• your child's strengths as well as their challenges
• anything else the clinician noticed or considered
• practical recommendations for home and school

If ADHD isn't diagnosed, the report should still help you understand what might be going on and what could help next.

Sharing the report: you can share it with school to help plan support in class, and with your GP so it's on your child's health record.

Support options: NICE guidelines recommend information and support for parents and families, as well as support at school. For some children, medication may also help. This has to be started and monitored by a specialist. Raiys doesn't currently prescribe, so you can share the report with your GP to talk about next steps.

Raiys works nationwide, offering online ADHD assessments for children and young people aged 5 to 17 across the UK. Our assessments are carried out by an experienced, specialist ADHD team and follow NICE guidelines. Our post-diagnostic support gives families practical tools to help with everyday life, before and after assessment.

Concerned about your child? Find out more about our child ADHD assessment.

Asking these questions shows how much you care. Whatever the outcome, understanding your child better is the first step to helping them thrive.