Why ADHD assessment takes time
There’s no single, definitive diagnostic test for ADHD – no blood test, brain scan, or genetic screening – so diagnosing ADHD isn’t a quick or simple task.
ADHD assessments for children and young people at The Edinburgh Practice are carried out by our Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists and Specialty Doctors, delivered by a multidisciplinary team including Psychiatry, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology. The clinical evaluation is comprehensive and multidimensional, capturing its impact on home, school, and social functioning, and follows best-practice guidelines from NICE. View our clinical team profiles.
Not sure where to start? A screening consultation can help
If you’re unsure whether your child needs a full neurodevelopmental assessment, or which assessment might suit them best, a screening consultation is a good first step.
The consultation lasts one hour and can take place in person or remotely. A Clinical Psychologist will carry out a structured clinical interview to explore your child’s mental health and neurodevelopmental history, using validated screening tools suited to their needs.
At the end of the session, you’ll receive personalised recommendations – which might include a neurodevelopmental assessment, psychological therapy, or a psychiatry consultation. If you’d like to go ahead, we can arrange any internal referrals, and you’ll receive a written summary that can be shared with your child’s GP.
Stage 1: your initial consultation
You and your child will meet with a Consultant Psychiatrist, Specialty Doctor, or Clinical Psychologist for a Comprehensive Clinical Assessment. This appointment is a chance to get acquainted and understand what to expect from the assessment process. Your clinician will begin gathering background information, and you’ll be given the SNAP-IV Comprehensive Behaviour Rating Scales and a Developmental History questionnaire to complete.
We’ll also contact your child’s school to gather detailed educational information, and ask staff who know your child well to complete the SNAP-IV.
Stage 2: developmental history appointment
This stage is a thorough developmental history interview with parents alone, without your child present. You’ll have time to discuss your child’s developmental history and the current difficulties they’re experiencing at home and school, and we’ll investigate any co-existing conditions that may be present.
Stage 3: your feedback appointment
Once all questionnaires, clinical assessment information, developmental history, and school information have been gathered and reviewed, we’ll arrange a feedback appointment to determine whether your child meets the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
You and your child will attend together to discuss the results. If a formal diagnosis is given and medication is indicated, you’ll receive detailed post-diagnostic information and resources, with time to consider next steps. Recommendations will also be made for psychosocial and behavioural interventions where appropriate.
A comprehensive report is sent to you, your child’s GP, and their school (with your permission) around 4 weeks after your feedback appointment.
Fees and waiting list
If further appointments are needed outside the full ADHD assessment, these will incur additional fees.
We do at times have a waiting list for assessments. If this is the case, we ask for a £200 non-refundable deposit to secure your place, deducted from the total assessment cost once booked.
Our Fees
£210
Neurodevelopmental screening consultation
£1950
ADHD assessment for children & young people (5-17 years old)
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FAQs
We offer a wide range of post‑diagnostic support for children, young people, and families following an Autism or ADHD diagnosis. This includes Educational Psychology, Speech & Language Therapy, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Psychology and Systemic Family Therapy. Our team can help with understanding diagnosis, sensory and communication needs, support strategies for home and school, emotional regulation, mental health, and family relationships. Support is available individually, for parents/carers and in school or family settings.
Learn more: https://edinburghpractice.com/service/neurodiversity-support-services/
Yes, but only with your informed consent (and your child’s consent if they are over the age of 12). Following the initial consultation of the neurodevelopmental assessment, if full assessment is indicated, our Assistant Psychologist will contact your child’s nursery or school to gather detailed educational information and ask the staff who know your child well to complete questionnaire(s). This information is vital to the diagnostic process.
No — you do not need a formal referral from a GP or school to book an ADHD assessment with us. Families can contact The Edinburgh Practice directly to arrange the initial consultation.
Yes — as part of the assessment, both parents/caregivers and teachers are usually asked to complete short questionnaires about your child’s behaviour, attention, and activity levels. These help the clinician get a full picture of how your child functions across different settings. Completing them before or shortly after the main appointment ensures the assessment is thorough and accurate.
Gathering observations about your child’s routines, behaviour challenges and strengths across settings (home, school, social life) can make the initial consultation more productive. Completing any pre‑appointment questionnaires thoroughly also ensures clinicians have detailed information.
If you would like to book an appointment or assessment, please complete and submit a referral form. If you would like to get in contact for more information or advice please complete the form on our contact us page and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
