There’s no single, definitive diagnostic test for ADHD — no blood analysis, no brain scan, no genetic screening — so diagnosis of ADHD is not a quick or simple task. ADHD assessments for Children or Teens at The Edinburgh Practice are carried out by our Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists and Specialty Doctors. The clinical evaluation of ADHD is comprehensive and multidimensional and captures its impact on home, school and social functioning. Our ADHD assessments are in line with best practice guidelines from NICE. View our clinical team profiles.
The Assessment Process
Stage 1: Initial consultation appointment
At the first appointment, you and your child or teenager will meet with one of our Consultant Psychiatrists or Specialty Doctors for a Comprehensive Clinical Assessment. From here, you, your child and the doctor will all become acquainted with one another and discuss what you should expect from the assessment and what the assessment process entails. The doctor will start the clinical assessment and ask questions to gather background information.
Stage 2: Developmental history appointment
The second part of the assessment includes a thorough developmental history with the parents alone, without the child or young person present. This is to discuss current difficulties that your child or teenager is experiencing both at home and in school, and to investigate any co-existing conditions that may be present. At the end of this appointment, you will be provided with the SNAP-IV Comprehensive Behaviour Rating Scales. These scales are completed by parents and a teacher at your child’s school.
Stage 3: Feedback appointment
The feedback appointment will be arranged once the SNAP-IV rating scales, information from the clinical assessment including developmental history and information from school have been gathered together and reviewed by the doctor to determine whether your child meets the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for ADHD. You and your child will attend a feedback session where the results of the assessment will be shared with you. If a formal diagnosis is given and medication is indicated, your child’s treatment will usually be initiated at the end of this session. Recommendations will also be made for psychosocial and behavioural interventions where appropriate. A comprehensive report will be sent out to you and your child’s GP and school (with your permission) approximately 6 – 8 weeks after your feedback appointment.
Our Fees
£1950
ADHD assessment for children & young people (5-17 years old)
Happy Monday everyone! We’re back with another ‘M’ word - Meeting others!
🙌 The power of connection cannot be overstated. It’s through connection that we build support networks that uplift us in tough times and remind us that we are not alone. Positive interactions nurture self-esteem, create a sense of belonging, and offer comfort during stressful periods. Meaningful connections with others can be essential for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Whether we’re talking with friends, joining support groups, or simply sharing a smile, each interaction contributes to emotional stability and resilience.
🤝 Beyond support, meeting others opens doors for personal growth, learning, and collaboration. It broadens our perspective, fuels creativity, and encourages empathy and compassion as we understand experiences different from our own.
💛 So maybe your next conversation could be a reminder that you are seen, heard, and valued!
#MentalHealth #ConnectWithOthers #MeetingOthers #TheEdinburghPractice
Happy Friday everyone! This #fridaycheckin we are checking in with our emotions!
Emotions are always sending us messages, just like the characters in Inside Out 🧠💬. Sometime we can feel all kinds of emotions at once - joy, sadness, anger, fear, and anxiety. At times, these feelings can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that they are part of being human.
💛 This #fridaycheckin, let’s take a moment to check in with ourselves and embrace our emotions.
😊 Our weekend watch recommendation is Inside out or Inside out 2! For children and adults!
#InsideOut #EmotionsMatter #MentalHealth #TheEdinburghPractice
It’s International Stress Awareness Week! Let’s focus on simple steps that can make a real difference in managing stress and improving wellbeing - small actions to make big changes!
👫 Connect with someone: Check in with your support network. A quick check-in or chat with a friend can lift spirits and remind us we’re not alone!
😴 Prioritise sleep: Take small steps to improve your bedtime routine. Wind down by minimising screen time and/or create a clean and restful sleep environment. Rest is essential as good sleep helps us recharge and face challenges with a clearer mind!
🏃♀️ Move in your own way: Get moving the way you want to! This could be walking, stretching, yoga, or doing some gardening. Moving your body releases tension and stress.
🌱 Spend time in nature: Take some time out of your day to step outside and get some fresh air. Even a few minutes outside can bring a sense of calm and a fresh perspective!
🫁 Breathe deep: Short, shallow breaths can heighten anxiety, so taking time to breathe deeply can help us shift into a relaxation mode.
🧘♂️ Practice mindfulness: This allows you to focus on the here and now. Try to find time each day to observe and just be.
Remember, even the smallest steps can lead to big changes. Take it one moment at a time! 💛
#StressAwarenessWeek #InternationalStressAwarenessWeek #TheEdinburghPractice
This Monday, ‘M’ stands for Mental Health Myths!
💛Mental health matters and so does the truth! Stigma around mental health isn’t just a barrier, it’s a wall that keeps people from seeking help, sharing their stories and finding comfort within their community. The impact of stigma can also worsen mental health difficulties!
💛At TEP, we believe in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health by challenging myths and creating an encouraging culture where everyone feels safe to seek the support they need. We encourage you to talk openly about mental health myths, listen compassionately to others experiences and support one another!
💛Let’s be part of the solution, not part of the problem!
#mentalhealthmyths #theedinburghpractice
Happy Friday! This #fridaycheckin we are checking in with your sleep with our Clinical Director, Dr Fiona!
💭Sometimes, the pace of everyday life barely gives us time to stop and rest. It can make getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis seem like a dream.
😴Sleep is an important part of our daily routine and is essential for good health and wellbeing. Dr Fiona discusses why we may be struggling with sleep, what is “healthy” sleep and the effect of sleep on one’s mental health! Watch until the end for her top tips for a good night’s sleep!
💤We encourage to check in with your own sleep routine as it is as important as diet and exercise!
#sleep #fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice #mentalhealth
Today as part of ADHD Awareness Month our Head of Growth and Operations, Hazel and Assistant Psychologist, Frances headed down to Atria One (@atriaone) to share more information about our services and assessments to a range of businesses!
Head to our website (link in bio) to find out more about our gold standard ADHD assessment and support services for children, young people and adults.
#adhdawarenessmonth #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
👋 Welcome back to our Monday ‘M’ series! This week, ‘M’ is for Minute!
We all have moments when emotions can start to take over and sometimes, we just need to ‘take a minute’ to step back. The STOPP technique is a powerful tool from CBT than can help us pause and respond to challenging situations in more helpful ways.
How to use STOPP:
✨ Practise the first 2 steps often for a few days
✨ Read through the steps often
✨ Carry written reminders with you or use the STOPP app
✨ Practise it by running through all the steps several times, every day, even when you don’t need it
✨ Start to use it for little upsets
✨ Gradually, you may find that you can use it for more distressing situations
Like any new habit or skill, we need to practise it and eventually it will become automatic.
#TakeAMinute #MentalHealth #CBT #TheEdinburghPractice
Welcome back to another #fridaycheckin! This week we are checking in with our new Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Alex Beadel.
Dr Alex prioritises creating an open, empathetic, non-judgemental, and reassuring environment where young people feel safe and understood. He believes in a collaborative approach, ensuring that a young person’s unique needs and preferences guide the treatment journey.
At TEP, our psychiatrists have expertise across a range of areas including;
💛ADHD
💛Autism
💛Anxiety and Panic Attacks
💛Depression
💛OCD
💛Social and behavioural difficulties
💛Trauma
💻For more information about psychiatry, head to our website (link in our bio).
#fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice #childpsychiatry #psychiatry
🌟 October is ADHD Awareness Month and this years theme is ‘Awareness is Key’.
💡 ADHD is much more than what meets the eye. It affects people in different ways, often falling under two categories: Inattention and Hyperactivity & Impulsivity. Many people experience a combination of both. In Scotland, approximately 5% of children and between 2-4% of adults are diagnosed and living with ADHD. Though the exact statistics are unknown because data on ADHD is not currently being routinely published and it is thought that many people may not have obtained a diagnosis or be receiving treatment.
🧠 The exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, although it is thought a combination of factors are responsible. ADHD tends to run in families and in most cases, it’s thought the genes inherited from parents are a significant factor in developing ADHD. However the way ADHD is inherited is complex and is not thought to be related to any single gene.
🤝 While ADHD can present challenges, it can also bring unique strengths! People with ADHD can be adventurous, creative and resilient, just to name a few! Society can sometimes focus on the negatives of ADHD but there are so many skills and abilities beyond neurotypical counterparts. We want to challenge and break some common myths surrounding ADHD!
💛 Let’s celebrate the diversity in how ADHD minds work and raise awareness to support those who live with it every day. The more we know, the better we can offer understanding and help create spaces where everyone can thrive. At TEP, we offer gold-standard ADHD assessments for children, young people, and adults. We also offer post diagnostic support for children, adults, parents/carers and families, delivered at the practice, online and/or in educational settings.
#ADHDAwarenessMonth #ADHDStrengths #Neurodiversity
This Monday, ‘M’ is for Mantras!
🧘♀️The term ‘mantra’ means an instrument of mind or thought. It can be a word, sound or phrase that is rhythmically repeated during meditation.
💭Mantras can occupy the mind in a way that stops your normal train of thought and allow you to clear your mind. They have the power to focus the mind, body and breath in unison towards a certain goal, intention or purpose.
Using mantras in your meditation and in your day to day life may help with:
💛 Stress management
💛 A positive outlook
💛 Increased self-awareness
💛 Anxiety
💛 Low mood
💛 Cognitive functioning
💛 Staying focused on your goals
🫶Mantra-meditation can be helpful for times where you feel anxious, stressed or low. It can also be great for practicing mindfulness and bringing the attention back to self.
#mantramondays #mentalhealth #meditation #theedinburghpractice
Happy Friday! We’re back for our #fridaycheckin and today we are checking in with our body.
In today’s fast-paced world, burnout is more common than ever and our wonderful Sport Psychologist, Dr Zoe, is giving us some insight into how to prevent burnout.
😌 Taking the time to incorporate different types of rest is essential for maintaining our overall wellbeing. The different types of rest include:
🛏️ Physical rest: We often think of rest as just lying down or sitting, but it can also include stretching, taking a nap, getting a massage, or taking short breaks.
🧠 Mental rest: We live in a world that is always ‘on’, and it can be challenging to unplug. Mental rest can include turning off your phone, taking a break from social media, or practicing meditation.
💛 Emotional rest: Take a break from the emotional demands we face every day. This can include spending time alone, reducing stress where possible, talking to a trusted friend, practising self care, or spending time in nature.
🙋♀️ Social rest: We are social beings, but socialising can also be draining. Social rest can include spending time alone, considering when you want to socialise & when you don’t want to, or having a solo picnic, hike or lunch.
🔇 Sensory rest: We are constantly receiving sensory input from noise, light, and other stimuli and it can be overwhelming. Sensory rest can include turning off the TV, closing your eyes, spending time in a quiet room, listening to calming music, or practising deep breathing.
Remember - rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity! Embracing and prioritising the different types of rest can help us live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives 😊
#theedinburghpractice #fridaycheckin #checkinwithourbody
This week is OCD Awareness Week!
At TEP, we are supporting and sharing awareness for #OCDweek. This worldwide event by @iocdf serves to dispel myths about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), break the stigma around mental illness, and provide education about the disorder and how to support those affected.
OCD affects 1 in 100 adults and 1 in 200 children but can be overlooked and belittled as a personality quirk or choice. In reality, OCD is a very real mental health difficulty that affects people of all ages and walks of life.
OCD is an anxiety disorder involving obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease distress. Compulsions can be internal (mental) or external behaviours.
Research has shown that most people have unwanted intrusive thoughts from time to time, but in the context of OCD, these intrusive thoughts come frequently and trigger extreme anxiety, fear, and/or disgust that gets in the way of day-to-day functioning.
At TEP, we offer psychology and psychiatry services to support individuals with OCD. Please head to our website (link in bio) to find out more or to submit a self-referral.
#OCDweek #ocdawarenessweek #theedinburghpractice #mentalhealth
Happy Monday everyone! Today’s ’M’ word is mental fatigue. Mental fatigue occurs when we overwork our minds for an extended time. This happens when our brains receive too much stimulation or our minds have to maintain an intense level of activity without rest.
We can think about mental fatigue as running on a low mental battery. We might be more forgetful, stressed, or irritable - clear signs that our brain needs a break! Ignoring these signals can lead to burnout.
Although mental fatigue can feel daunting, there are ways to recharge our minds:
🛑 Take breaks - It’s important to allow ourselves time to rest. Whether it’s a short walk, a nap, or disconnecting from our phones for an hour.
🧘♀️ Practice a meditation - A brief meditation can help you relax your mind, offering a much needed relief from the demands of the day.
🏃♂️ Stay physically active - Even just 20-30 minutes of moderate physical activity can boost our mood and give us a burst of energy.
🛏️ Prioritise sleep - A lack of good-quality sleep can lead to both physical and mental fatigue. Try to maintain a regular sleep routine as irregular sleep patterns can disrupt our internal clock.
🧹 Declutter your space - A cluttered environment often adds to stress without us realising it. Tidying up our workspace or living area can help free up mental energy.
🛁 Practice self care - Small moments of intentional self-care, like a hot bath or reading a good book, can go a long way in reducing mental strain.
✍️ Write down your thoughts - Journalling can be a helpful outlet for our thoughts and worries, giving us a space to process and make sense of them.
🎯 Focus on one thing at a time - Mental fatigue often stems from feeling overwhelmed by too much on our plate. Prioritise tasks and try focusing on just one thing at a time.
🤝 Connect with supportive people - Sometimes, connecting with friends or family can provide the grounding and perspective we need. A supportive conversation can help us feel more centred and less mentally drained.
This is your reminder to take care of your mental energy, and don’t be afraid to hit the reset button when needed!
Happy Friday Everyone, this Friday we are checking in with our goals!
👩⚕️Our lovely Clinical Psychologist, Dr Madeline, discusses how goal setting does not have to be daunting and walks us through how to make SMART goals.
💛SMART goals can help us define what we want to achieve:
S-pecific: The goal is clearly defined.
M-easurable: The goal is quantifiable.
A-chievable: The goal is realistic and achievable.
R-elevant: The goal is aligned with your values.
T-ime bound: The goal has a deadline.
📚Using this approach and dividing larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks can make the whole process less overwhelming.
We encourage you to check in with your goals or create some new goals to reset and recharge!
#fridaycheckin #goalsetting #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
Today is World Mental Health Day, and we’re proud to support the @mentalhealthfoundation’s campaign. This year’s theme is ‘Workplace Mental Health’, focusing on the crucial role of mental wellbeing in the workplace for the benefit of individuals, organisations, and communities.
Our work environments significantly impact our mental health. A positive work experience can provide purpose, boost self-esteem, and foster connection. However, for many work can be a source of stress and anxiety, potentially leading to or worsening mental health difficulties.
With so many of us spending a large portion of our lives working - whether in offices, communities, or from home - it’s essential that workplaces prioritise mental health. By doing so, we can enjoy the benefits of work while minimising its potential negative impacts. A mentally healthy workplace should support open and honest conversations about mental health, as well as providing staff training on topics such as mental health and trauma, discrimination, and bullying.
TEP are joining the campaign by hosting a ‘Tea and Tunes’ day today. We’ve transformed our meeting room into a space for movement and connection, inviting Team TEP to come together for tea, dancing, and to support mental wellbeing.
#WMHD2024 #WorldMentalHealthDay2024 #TeaAndTunes #WorldMentalHealthDay
