ADHD Assessments - Autism Oxford UK

We are pleased to be able to offer ADHD assessments.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact someone’s ability to concentrate, learn and process information. It can also impact on individuals behaviour, for example restlessness, movement and impulsivity.

ADHD can also bring many strengths, such as creativity and the ability to hyperfocus,

We routinely offer ADHD assessments from the age of 7 years upwards and into adulthood. We are able to assess ADHD younger than this (between 5-7 years) but the team are likely to provide a working formulation and request a review when the young person reaches 7, to formalise the outcome.

Our team follow NICE guidance and our assessments have been accepted by local authorities and NHS trusts, however we always recommend you check with your local area first before booking an independent assessment.

Research suggests that autistic individuals are around 50-70% more likely to also have ADHD, that’s why we offer combined assessments for autism and ADHD and will always screen for both if you request an ADHD assessment or Autism assessment.

Our experienced team of clinicians and peer support practitioners will explore your strengths, differences and needs with you during the assessment process and will write a detailed report detailing the outcome of the assessment with us, along with providing recommendations for aspects we believe would be beneficial.

Click Here to Send Us An Enquriy

Your journey with us for ADHD assessments

Step 1

If you would like to explore ADHD, then the first step is to complete our online enquiry form. One of our administration team will respond within 5 working days, with further information and will also share some forms we require you to complete. Once we have these back we can then book your assessment with us.

Step 2

We will then schedule a meeting for your ADHD assessment, using a tool known as DIVA or DIVA Young as an interview instrument to thoroughly explore ADHD characteristics.

As part of the assessment, we also explore whether there may be alternative explanations for these characteristics, ensuring they are not better accounted for by conditions such as anxiety.

We carefully review the forms you have completed, conduct a developmental history interview covering aspects of your upbringing, family, and medical history. Whenever possible, we seek input from a ‘second informant,’ such as a parent, a childhood friend, or a partner, to enhance our information gathering

Additionally, we may administer a Qb test, another standardised tool for assessing ADHD. Not everyone requires this test, and our team will inform you if it is deemed necessary to complement your assessment. The Qb test is conducted in person, and we will provide detailed information about the test and guide you through the process. (*a Qb test may not always be clinically appropriate, but we will talk to you about this, if this is the case.)

The assessment typically lasts around 1.5- 2 hours.

Step 3

As part of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, we need to establish evidence that the ADHD characteristics manifest in two different settings and are influencing two or more areas of your life. For young people, the second setting often involves the school environment, as it provides valuable insights into any educational impact. We achieve this by engaging with the school setting, distributing questionnaires, or occasionally conducting in-school observations.

In cases where the individual is home-educated, and a school setting is not available for consultation, we explore alternative second settings, and we will collaborate with you to determine suitable options. This could include settings such as a grandparent’s home or a club they regularly attend.

For adults, our assessment encompasses an examination of the impact on employment or further education, as well as in personal relationships. This is another reason we like to have a second informant during the assessment, someone who can offer valuable insights into your characteristics and their impact on various aspects of your life.

Step 4

After gathering all the necessary information, our multidisciplinary team will meet to review the evidence against the ADHD diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Version 5).

We will communicate the assessment outcome to you through your preferred method (email or phone), and your comprehensive report will be made available 2-3 working days thereafter.

Please take the time to review your report and make note of any questions you may have. We can discuss these further during your feedback session.

Step 5

We will arrange a feedback session to reflect on the assessment process and discuss any questions you may have. During this session, we will thoroughly discuss the recommendations and provide guidance on relevant avenues for support.