OUR AUTISM & ADHD SERVICES
ADHD assessment for children & young people (6-18)
An ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) assessment can help understand a child or young person’s strengths, challenges, and support needs.
At Provide Wellbeing, ADHD assessments for children and young people are delivered by appropriately qualified clinical teams, following NICE guidance and recognised diagnostic standards.
Who this assessment is for
This assessment is for children and young people aged 6–18 who may be experiencing ongoing difficulties with:
- attention and concentration
- impulsivity
- hyperactivity or restlessness
- organisation
- emotional regulation
- daily functioning
An assessment may help provide clarity and understanding, whether or not a diagnosis is made.
How this assessment can be accessed
At Provide Wellbeing, we offer a variety of options for you to get an assessment and a diagnosis. Currently, we offer ADHD assessments to children and young people whose GP is based in Mid & South Essex and who reside in this area. We also offer self-pay assessments.
- NHS local pathways
Available only in areas where your GP is based and where you reside within an area covered by an active NHS contract. We currently offer assessments through our Mid & South Essex local NHS pathway - Self-pay assessments
Available without a GP referral. - NHS Right to Choose
Available only when a qualifying NHS contract is live. We do not currently offer Right to Choose assessments.
If you’re not sure which pathway is right for you, you can find out more information by visiting the following pages:
Our NHS ADHD Assessment Pathway
Referral and questionnaires
Once a referral is accepted, we will send questionnaires to help us understand the child or young person’s needs.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us and triaged.
To ensure we provide the most accurate care, we gather insights from those who know your child best. Once these forms are returned, we review every detail to ensure the process is tailored specifically to your child or young person's needs.
These may include:
- parent or carer questionnaires
- questionnaires from school or an education setting
- self-report questionnaires (where appropriate)
- background and developmental information
Completing and returning these promptly helps avoid delays.
Clinical triage
Our clinical team reviews the information to:
- confirm that an ADHD assessment is appropriate
- consider whether a combined ADHD and Autism assessment may be needed
- plan the most suitable assessment approach
You’ll be contacted to confirm next steps.
Who you’ll see
Assessments are carried out by specialist clinical teams, which may include:
- psychiatrists
- paediatricians
- other clinicians with recognised expertise in ADHD diagnosis
What the assessment involves
The assessment includes:
- a detailed discussion of developmental, medical, and educational history
- review of questionnaires and school information
- exploration of strengths, challenges, and everyday functioning
- observation and interaction with the child or young person
Where appropriate, basic health observations (height, weight and blood pressure) may also be completed.
Assessments are tailored to the individual and delivered in a supportive, child-centred way.
Outcome and diagnosis
After the assessment:
- The clinical team will explain the outcome clearly and sensitively
- You’ll have time to ask questions
- If ADHD is diagnosed, this will be explained in clear, accessible language
If ADHD is not diagnosed, guidance and signposting will still be offered where helpful.
Written report
Following the assessment, you will receive a written diagnostic report.
The report includes:
- What was assessed and how
- The outcome or diagnosis
- How conclusions were reached
- Recommendations and next steps
Reports are written in clear, accessible language and can be shared with your GP, school, or other professionals (with consent).
Every assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of the outcome.
Information and psychoeducation
Everyone diagnosed with ADHD is offered:
- information about ADHD and how it may affect daily life
- advice and practical strategies for home and education settings
- psychoeducation, which is a structured programme offered as part of NHS ADHD pathways
Medication (where appropriate and commissioned)
Medication is not an automatic outcome of an ADHD diagnosis.
A decision about medication is only considered:
- where ADHD is diagnosed
- after completion of the psychoeducation programme, where non-medication strategies have been discussed and trialled
- where medication is clinically appropriate
- where the pathway includes medication support
Where medication is commissioned, treatment follows NICE guidance and includes careful monitoring and review.
The ADHD assessment appointment
Who you’ll see
Assessments are carried out by specialist clinical teams, which may include:
- psychiatrists
- paediatricians
- other clinicians with recognised expertise in ADHD diagnosis
What the assessment involves
The assessment typically includes:
- a detailed discussion of developmental, medical, and educational history
- review of questionnaires and school information
- exploration of strengths, challenges, and everyday functioning
- observation and interaction with the child or young person
Where appropriate, basic health observations (height, weight and blood pressure) may also be completed.
Assessments are tailored to the individual and delivered in a supportive, child-centred way.
Outcome and diagnosis
After the assessment:
- The clinical team will explain the outcome clearly and sensitively
- You’ll have time to ask questions
- If ADHD is diagnosed, this will be explained in clear, accessible language
If ADHD is not diagnosed, guidance and signposting will still be offered where helpful.
Written report
Following the assessment, you will receive a written diagnostic report.
The report includes:
- What was assessed and how
- The outcome or diagnosis
- How conclusions were reached
- recommendations and next steps
Reports are written in clear, accessible language and can be shared with your GP, school, or other professionals (with consent).
What happens after an ADHD diagnosis
Every assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of the outcome.
Information and psychoeducation
Everyone diagnosed with ADHD is offered:
- information about ADHD and how it may affect daily life
- advice and practical strategies for home and education settings
- psychoeducation, which is a structured programme as part of NHS ADHD pathways
For children and young people, psychoeducation is a required part of the ADHD pathway. Medication cannot be considered until the psychoeducation programme has been completed and reviewed.
Medication (where appropriate and commissioned)
Medication is not an automatic outcome of an ADHD diagnosis.
A decision about medication is only considered:
- where ADHD is diagnosed
- after completion of the psychoeducation programme
- where non-medication strategies have been discussed and trialled
- where medication is clinically appropriate
- where the pathway includes medication support
Where medication is commissioned, treatment follows NICE guidance and includes careful monitoring and review.
Our self-pay ADHD assessment pathway
Under our self-pay service, the pathway for an ADHD assessment will follow the same pathway as with the NHS, but with a few exceptions:
- We do not require a GP referral. Contact our service directly to register your child or young person for a self-pay ADHD assessment. ’
- Psychoeducation is not required as part of our self-pay service. You will still receive feedback, signposting, and guidance to support your child.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us, and triaged.
Our self-pay ADHD assessment pathway
Under our self-pay service:
- We do not require a GP referral. Contact our service directly to register your child or young person for a self-pay ADHD assessment. ’
- Psychoeducation is not required as part of our self-pay service. You will still receive feedback, signposting, and guidance to support your child.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us, and triaged.
ADHD treatment & medication pathway
A decision about ADHD medication is only considered after:
- ADHD has been diagnosed
- Medication is clinically appropriate
- Non-medication strategies have been discussed
- The pathway you are on includes medication support
The medication support you receive will depend on which NHS pathway you are on, or whether you are using our self-pay service.
You can find out more about our ADHD treatment & medication pathways here:
NHS ADHD Treatment & Medication Pathway
Quality and clinical standards
All ADHD assessments for children and young people at Provide Wellbeing:
- follow NICE NG87 guidance
- use recognised diagnostic criteria (DSM-5 / ICD-11)
- are delivered by trained, experienced clinical teams
- include reasonable adjustments for communication or sensory needs
ADHD treatment & medication pathway
A decision about ADHD medication is only considered after:
- ADHD has been diagnosed
- Medication is clinically appropriate
- Non-medication strategies have been discussed
- The pathway you are on includes medication support
Quality and clinical standards
All ADHD assessments for children and young people at Provide Wellbeing:
- follow NICE NG87 guidance
- use recognised diagnostic criteria (DSM-5 / ICD-11)
- are delivered by trained, experienced clinical teams
- include reasonable adjustments for communication or sensory needs
Medication Assessment Pathway
Not sure if this assessment is right?
If you’re unsure which pathway applies, or whether an ADHD assessment is the right next step, you may find it helpful to visit:
Start Here: How to Access Our Services
Our Assessment Pathways
What Happens After an Assessment
You can also discuss concerns with your GP or contact our team for general guidance.
TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT
Neurodevelopmental Services
Call 0300 303 9966, email
provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
or complete the form below…
Testimonials
Parent / Guardian of RO, Autism Assessment Customer
The practitioners on the day were clearly very experienced and cleverly managed to get my daughter away from me for the assessment, which I’d not expected. Getting the result so quickly on the day was great and the whole experience was nowhere near as stressful as I feared it would be.
Parent / Guardian of CA, Autism Assessment Customer
Really lovely friendly place with a calm environment for everyone.
Parent / Guardian of HB, Autism Assessment Customer
Very efficient service and really lovely staff members. Hannah made my daughter feel very comfortable.
Parent / Guardian of EA, Autism Assessment Customer
Fantastic service from start to finish! The support over the phone was excellent, and I was kept updated throughout the entire process. During the assessment, both my son and I were made to feel completely at ease. The consultation afterwards was kind, compassionate, and very professional.
Parent / Guardian of CR, Autism Assessment Customer
I don’t think it could have gone any better, all of the team were fantastic, super welcoming and reassuring. Loads of support, cannot recommend enough.
RR, ASD and ADHD Assessment Customer
From booking to getting the assessment completed everything was easy, the service was great and we are very happy with the outcome.
Parent / Guardian of CW, Autism Assessment Customer
Once again, we were treated as a family with respect and care. Provide Wellbeing we are so grateful that you are able to offer neuro-developmental services, and always recommend you to others. Thank you so much!
Parent / Guardian of LT, Autism Assessment Customer
Everyone was so lovely, from the initial telephone consultation several months ago, right through to the day of the appointment.
Parent / Guardian of AV, Autism Assessment Customer
It’s taken us 10 years to get a diagnosis for our daughter after no one listening to us. We can now get the help and support our daughter well deserves! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
NT, Autism Assessment Customer
I was made to feel like an equal, an adult, even a friend. The assessment was a casual conversation where we chatted back and forth. Thank you for making me feel less alone and confused in the way I think and feel.
Parent / Guardian of AR, Autism Assessment Customer
To the special lady who in depth and sensitively took the time to tell us about what she found in the assessment and delivered our son’s diagnosis to us. I’ll be forever grateful.
Parent / Guardian of IE, Autism Assessment Customer
Really simple quick and easy process from start to finish. Absolutely wonderful and caring staff who were so good with my child and were so patient and kind when explaining everything. Couldn’t be more grateful for the team.
Parent / Guardian of EM, Autism Assessment Customer
From day one the service we have received has been exceptional.
Parent / Guardian of AM, Autism Assessment Customer
All of the staff at Provide Wellbeing were welcoming and thorough in their assessment. I highly recommend this professional service.
Parent / Guardian of ER, Autism Assessment Customer
All the team were really nice and kind and put me and my daughter at ease. They explained everything very well and made sure my daughter understood as best she could.
Parent/Guardian of GF, Autism Assessment Customer
The staff were very welcoming, they made the experience very playful for my son. As parents we felt listen to and not rushed.
Parent/Guardian of EK, Autism Assessment Customer
An excellent experience, everything was explained in great detail and we felt like we had the time to discuss anything else we needed to. My son was able to ask any questions he had too.
Parent/Guardian of MC, Autism Assessment Customer
Quiet and bright clinic, perfect for my daughter, and the team are lovely and very informative.
Parent/Guardian of DS, Autism Assessment Customer
Overwhelmingly positive. All staff were so professional, and talked about and to my Son in a positive, kind way. It was so refreshing.
Parent / Guardian of BR, Autism Assessment Customer
The team were incredibly approachable and friendly, which made us feel comfortable and heard throughout the entire process. We truly appreciated the clear communication and the care with which they explained the findings. It was evident that they took the time to ensure both my son and I fully understood the diagnosis, which meant a […]
Support you can trust
Our team provides actionable insights, no matter where you are on your journey, and offers expert advice to help you or a family member on your road to a diagnosis. Our ASD and ADHD services are suitable for children and young people seeking a diagnosis.
