Understanding the Process of ADHD Assessment for Children and Adolescents

If you are a parent, teacher, or guardian concerned about a child’s attention, activity levels, or impulsivity, pursuing a professional ADHD assessment can provide valuable insights and guidance. Our clinic offers comprehensive assessments for children and adolescents conducted by experienced Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists who specialise in neurodevelopmental conditions. Our goal is to provide a thorough understanding of the child’s challenges and create a clear path forward for support.

Seeking Clarity: The ADHD Assessment Process for Children and Adolescents

Prior to the assessment, we will ask you (parents/guardians) and potentially the child’s school (with your consent) to complete screening questionnaires. These questionnaires help us gather initial information about the child’s behaviour and functioning across different settings. The results of these screenings will help us determine if a full ADHD assessment is recommended.

A Comprehensive and Child-Focused ADHD Assessment

All ADHD assessments for children and adolescents at our clinic are conducted by experienced Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists who are experts in diagnosing and managing ADHD in this age group. You can be assured that the assessment process will align with NICE Guidelines and prioritise the child’s well-being.

The assessment will involve a structured clinical interview with the parents or guardians to gather detailed information about the child’s symptom history, developmental milestones, medical history, social and academic experiences, and family background. The psychiatrist will also interact directly with the child in an age-appropriate manner to understand their perspective and observe their behaviour.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of how ADHD symptoms have affected the child throughout their development, we will also request collateral information from someone familiar with the child since their early years, such as another family member or a teacher (with your consent). This helps provide a broader picture of the child’s behavioural patterns over time.

During the assessment, it is vital to be as open and honest as possible to ensure the diagnosis is based on accurate information. The psychiatrist will also need to understand any relevant medical history to ensure the safety and appropriateness of any potential treatment recommendations.

Each appointment will typically last between 1 and 2 hours. You and/or your child may be asked to complete further diagnostic questionnaires as part of the evaluation. In some cases, a physical check, such as weight and blood pressure measurement, may be necessary for the child’s overall health assessment.

Collateral Information – Gaining a Full Developmental Picture

To gain a comprehensive understanding of your child’s potential ADHD, a vital part of the assessment process involves gathering information from someone who has known your child since their early years. This “collateral information,” typically provided by a parent or another close family member, offers crucial insights into the consistency and impact of their behaviours across different developmental stages.

With your consent, we may also seek input from educators or other professionals who have significant interaction with your child. Their observations in different settings, such as the school environment, can provide a more complete picture of your child’s challenges and strengths.

This information helps our Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists understand the long-term patterns of your child’s behavior, which is essential for an accurate ADHD diagnosis. If there is not a suitable person available to provide comprehensive collateral information, our consultant may recommend a QbTest as an additional objective tool to support the assessment.

QbTest – An Objective Tool for Assessing ADHD in Children

In some cases, our Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists may recommend that your child complete a QbTest as part of their ADHD assessment. This is a non-invasive, computer-based test designed specifically for children and adolescents, typically taking 15-20 minutes to complete at our clinic.

The QbTest uses an infrared camera to track your child’s movements while they perform a computer-based task that measures their activity level, ability to sustain attention, and impulsivity. The data collected is then compared to a normative control group of children of the same sex and age who do not have ADHD. The results are instantly generated in a report that provides objective data on the core symptoms of ADHD.

A QbTest can be particularly helpful when initial screening results are unclear, or when comprehensive collateral information from someone familiar with your child since early childhood is limited. It can also be a valuable tool for monitoring how your child’s ADHD symptoms respond to any prescribed medication or other interventions over time.

The Specialised Expertise in Our Children’s ADHD Assessments

When seeking an ADHD assessment for your child, it’s essential to entrust their care to professionals with specialised expertise in child and adolescent neurodevelopment. At our clinic, all children’s ADHD assessments are conducted by experienced Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists who possess in-depth knowledge of the unique ways ADHD presents in young people and the complexities of their developing brains.

Our Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists are experts in understanding the nuances of childhood behaviour and differentiating typical developmental stages from the persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that characterise ADHD. They are also highly skilled in assessing for any co-occurring conditions that are common in children with ADHD, such as learning difficulties, anxiety, or behavioural disorders.

Their comprehensive assessment process involves detailed clinical interviews with parents and the child (in an age-appropriate manner), review of developmental history, consideration of school reports and teacher input, and often the use of standardised questionnaires. This thorough approach ensures a holistic understanding of your child’s challenges and strengths, leading to an accurate diagnosis and a tailored management plan.

Our Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists are not only skilled in diagnosis but also in developing comprehensive treatment plans that may include behavioural strategies for home and school, recommendations for educational support, and, when appropriate, careful consideration and management of medication. Their expertise ensures that your child receives the most effective and compassionate care to help them thrive.