ADHD is a condition which impacts people’s attentiveness (concentration and focus), impulsivity and hyperactivity. Diagnostically individuals can have inattentive ADHD, hyperactive ADHD or a combined ADHD. People with ADHD will have a range of symptoms that will have been present since childhood although they may not have been recognised as symptoms of ADHD.
Symptoms such as being forgetful, disorganised, easily distracted, poor time management skills and impulsive behaviours can seriously impact relationships, parenting and job security. As a result we often see people who have had diagnoses of mental health difficulties due to the strain this can cause. We therefore believe that assessment of ADHD as an adult can provide a clear understanding of often long standing difficulties and routes forwards to manage those symptoms.
Who do we offer diagnostic assessment for?
At the moment we are offering assessments for ADHD to adults only. It is likely that we will start providing assessments for younger teenagers in the coming months. Please do get in touch if you are interested in this.
Why is diagnosis important?
There is a lot of publicity around ADHD at the moment and whilst this has been incredibly helpful in raising awareness of the condition it has caused created some confusion about what ADHD is and how to recognise it. We see diagnosis as a really important part of individuals understanding themselves more fully and also then being able to receive the most helpful support in their educational or workplace settings. Diagnosis can also open the door to treatment options such as medication, ADHD coaching and ADHD specific strategies. We also find that it can be incredibly helpful in supporting families to better understanding some of the behaviours and difficulties they may find challenging.
How do I choose the right assessment?
There are many online and in person organisations offering ADHD assessments, with many varied costs for assessments and it can be very hard to know where to turn to. Our ADHD assessment process is in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence which means it is a thorough assessment fully compliant with best practice. We use the DIVA-5, a clinically recognized structured interview and an objective computerised test (QB-check) to ensure the greatest accuracy of results. Our assessments are recognized by a partner prescribing service meaning further assessment is not needed for those people wanting to try medication.