CQC REGISTERED | SCHOOL INPUT INCLUDED | CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN REVIEW

ADHD assessment for children and young people

You know your child better than anyone.

Is your child finding it harder to concentrate at school than you’d expect? Struggling with big emotions, restlessness, or routines that take far more effort than they seem to for others? Some children look as though they’re coping on the outside while working very hard to keep up on the inside.

Our specialist clinicians help you understand what’s going on, and whether ADHD is part of the picture, with a clear outcome and practical recommendations for home and school.

Trusted by NHS and public sector organisations

Not sure where to start?

There’s a lot to take in, so we’ve broken it down into clear steps – jump straight to the section that’s most helpful for you right now.

Could ADHD be affecting your child?

If these sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Many parents who come to us have spent months, sometimes years, wondering why everyday life seems harder for their child than for others, whether at school, at home or with friends.

Losing focus in class

Getting started on homework

Finishing work

Forgetting kit and homework

Getting ready on time

Keeping organised

Restless or fidgety

Acting before thinking

Big emotions

These experiences don’t necessarily mean your child has ADHD, but many parents who seek an assessment describe similar patterns.

Not sure whether ADHD could explain what you’re seeing?

What happens during your child's ADHD assessment?

Our assessment follows a clear, structured process, from your first enquiry through to the report and next steps.

01: 5 minutes

Initial enquiry

Complete a short form or call the team, and we’ll get back to you within one working day. You don’t need to know whether it’s ADHD before you get in touch.

02: Before the appointment

Information from home and school

Once booked, we ask you, your child and their school to complete some questionnaires. ADHD can only be diagnosed when difficulties show up in more than one setting, so this helps your clinician understand how your child gets on at home and in the classroom.

03: 90-120 minutes

ADHD assessment appointment

Your child meets a specialist ADHD clinician by video, and you’ll be involved too. It’s a conversation rather than a test. We explore their development, strengths and day-to-day experiences using structured clinical assessment tools.

04: Within 7 working days

Outcome, feedback and report

Every outcome is independently reviewed by a second clinician before it’s confirmed. Your clinician then explains the outcome to you and your child in a video feedback call, where you can ask questions, and you’ll receive a full written report with practical recommendations for home and school.

05: If appropriate

Support after diagnosis

If your child is diagnosed, we’ll talk with you about every option for support, from practical strategies at home and school to medication where appropriate. Any treatment is a separate decision, and we’ll set out what’s involved, including the cost, in writing first.

Not every child who is assessed receives an ADHD diagnosis. If ADHD isn’t identified, your clinician will explain the findings clearly and suggest practical next steps and support.

How an occupational therapy assessment can help your child

Some of the hardest parts of a child’s day aren’t about attention at all.

An occupational therapy (OT) assessment looks at how your child manages the practical parts of daily life, at home and at school. It can explain difficulties that sit alongside ADHD, or that look like ADHD, and gives you and school practical ways to help.

What it looks at

  • Sensory processing, such as sensitivity to noise, clothing, touch or busy environments
  • Fine motor skills, including handwriting, pencil grip and using equipment
  • Coordination and gross motor skills
  • Organisation, planning and getting through routines
  • Self-care, such as dressing, eating and getting ready for school

How it works

Before the assessment, we’ll ask you and school to complete questionnaires about how your child manages day to day.

Your child’s assessment is carried out by one of our senior occupational therapists, at school and takes around 90 minutes.

You’ll receive a written report within 7 working days, with clear findings and practical recommendations for home and school.

Meet the team behind your child's assessment

Your child’s assessment is carried out by experienced clinicians within a structured, CQC-registered healthcare service. You’ll know who is seeing your child before the appointment, and the outcome is explained to you in a video feedback call before the written report is finalised.

Your child's clinicians

Dr Matty Chalk

Consultant Psychologist | ADHD Assessor

Matty has over 18 years’ experience assessing children, young people and adults for neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD, autism and intellectual disability, often alongside complexities such as trauma, mental health difficulties and hearing impairment. He has worked across CAMHS, inpatient hospitals and specialist education settings. Matty leads your child’s ADHD assessment and the feedback call, and helps you understand what the outcome means for home and school.

Fadekemi Adesokan, Registered Mental Health Nurse and ADHD Assessor at HG Mind Works

Fadekemi Adesokan

Registered Mental Health Nurse | Prescriber

Fade is a mental health nurse and independent prescriber with experience in ADHD services across both CAMHS and adult settings. She has worked in community mental health teams, inpatient wards and acquired brain injury services, and supports people with learning disabilities. If your child is diagnosed and medication is the right option, Fade oversees the start of treatment and the review appointments that follow.

Miranda Adanlowo

Senior Occupational Therapist

Miranda is a senior occupational therapist who qualified in 2007 and has worked across NHS community and specialist services. She carries out occupational therapy assessments for children and young people, including assessments that inform Education, Health and Care Plans, looking at how sensory, motor and organisational needs affect daily life at home and at school. Miranda completes your child’s OT assessment and report, with practical recommendations for home and school.

Dr Ali Ahmed

Consultant Paediatrician

Dr Ahmed is a consultant paediatrician with 30 years’ experience in children’s health and development. He independently reviews every diagnostic outcome in our children’s ADHD service before the report is finalised, providing senior medical oversight of each assessment.

The team behind the service

Stephen Goss

Registered Manager

Responsible for the quality, safety and governance of services delivered by HG Mind Works.

Benton Robertson

Nominated Individual

Provides organisational oversight and supports regulatory governance across HG Mind Works.

Ray Aherne

Operations Director

Oversees operational delivery, supporting service quality, mobilisation and the effective running of our clinical pathways.

Ali Khan

Clinician Manager

Liaises with your child’s clinicians to keep the assessment moving and make sure everyone involved has what they need.

Kate Gilham

Service Delivery Manager

Looks after appointments, paperwork and the practical arrangements for your child’s assessment, and is your first point of contact with any questions.

Transparent pricing, with no hidden charges

You’ll always know the full cost before anything is booked. There are no hidden assessment, report or administration fees.

ADHD + OT Assessment Package

£1,595

Save £195 compared with booking separately

ADHD Assessment

£995

OT Assessment

£795

Flexible payment options, including Klarna where eligible, are available when you book.

Three things make us different.

Every assessment is independently reviewed by a consultant paediatrician.

Before your child’s report is finalised, a consultant paediatrician independently reviews the assessment findings and diagnostic outcome. This review is included as standard, so every outcome has senior medical oversight.

You always know who you're speaking to.

Your child’s assessing clinician is named when you book. They carry out the assessment, write the report and lead your feedback call, so you know who is responsible for your child’s assessment from start to finish.

Abstract deep blue and violet light streaks, HG Mind Works West Suffolk NHS autism assessment service
Abstract faceted purple geometric panels, HG Mind Works autism assessment resources and FAQs

ADHD and occupational therapy, assessed together.

Children being assessed for ADHD often also have sensory, motor or organisational difficulties that affect them at home and school. Booking both assessments together means they’re completed close together, and you get a fuller picture of your child’s needs, with practical recommendations you can share with school.

Established clinical standards from day one.

Our private children’s service is new, but our work with children isn’t. We already carry out neurodevelopmental and occupational therapy assessments for children and young people on behalf of the NHS and local authorities.

HG Mind Works is CQC registered and approved to supply through the HealthTrust Europe framework. Every ADHD assessment outcome is independently reviewed by a consultant paediatrician before your child’s report is finalised.

Our children’s assessment and occupational therapy pathways operate within the same clinical governance framework as the rest of HG Mind Works.

Support for your child after diagnosis.

A diagnosis is the start of understanding what will help your child, at home and at school.

Every child is different. Depending on the outcome, support might include changes at school, strategies at home, an OT assessment or, where appropriate, medication. We’ll talk you through what makes sense for your child at your feedback call.

Your child's report

Your report sets out the assessment findings, the outcome and practical recommendations for home and school. We’ll talk you through it at your video feedback call, so you understand what it means before you share it with anyone.

Medication and treatment

Medication isn’t right for every child. Where it may help, it’s usually one part of a wider plan that includes support at home and school.

If your child is diagnosed and medication may be an option, we’ll explain the options at your feedback call, including how treatment can be arranged and what it would involve. Any decision about prescribing is made by the clinician who takes on your child’s treatment.

We’ll always explain options and any costs before you decide anything.

Support is always based on your child’s individual needs.

Supporting your child at school and in exams

If your child has GCSEs or A levels coming up, timing matters.

Your child’s report includes recommendations you can share with school, to help staff understand your child’s needs and put the right support in place, both in the classroom and in exams.

In the classroom

Schools can use the report to plan support, such as adjustments to how work is set, breaks, seating or help with organisation. If your child also has an OT assessment, the report adds practical recommendations on things like handwriting, sensory needs and organisation.

In exams

Exam access arrangements, such as extra time, rest breaks or a separate room, are decided by your child’s school, usually the SENDCo. They’re based on evidence of your child’s needs and how they normally work in class. A diagnosis report can form part of that evidence, but the decision sits with the school.

Schools work to deadlines, usually in the spring term before exams. If exams are coming up, speak to your child’s SENDCo early, and let them know your child is being assessed.

Will school and the NHS accept a private diagnosis?

Schools can use a private report as evidence of your child’s needs when planning support. Exam access arrangements are decided by the SENDCo, based on evidence of need and how your child normally works in class.

Your GP can add the diagnosis to your child’s records. If your child needs NHS treatment, the GP or local NHS service will decide whether to accept the diagnosis or carry out their own review. Practice varies between areas, so it’s worth asking your GP before you book.

We don’t currently offer NHS-funded assessments through Right to Choose. Our private service is for families who want an assessment without waiting for an NHS pathway.

Children's ADHD assessment FAQs

How quickly can my child be seen?

Assessment appointments are usually available within days, depending on clinician availability.

You’ll have a video feedback call within 7 working days of the assessment, and the final report follows once the consultant paediatrician’s review is complete. We’ll confirm current availability before you book.

We assess children and young people aged 6 to 17. If your child is close to 18, speak to us about whether our children’s or adult service is the right fit.

The ADHD assessment is online and takes around 2 hours. Your clinician will speak with you and your child, and use questionnaires completed by you and your child’s school. We’ll explain exactly what to expect before the appointment, so you can prepare your child.

Yes. Information from school helps build a full picture of how your child manages in different settings. We’ll send questionnaires for a teacher or SENDCo to complete before the assessment.

Many families do.

ADHD often overlaps with sensory, motor or organisational difficulties, and having both assessments completed close together gives you a fuller picture and recommendations you can share with school. Booking them together as a package saves £195. 

We do offer ADHD medication for children. If your child is diagnosed and medication may help, we’ll talk you through the options and next steps at your feedback call.

You've done the research. Here's what the next step looks like.

Ready to take the next step? Send us an enquiry and we’ll confirm availability, or speak to our team first if you have questions about the assessment, school or costs.

Appointments within days | Reviewed by a consultant paediatrician | ADHD and OT assessments available | CQC-registered service

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