How do I get an ADHD diagnosis in the UK?

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If you’ve ever found yourself googling “Is this just normal childhood behaviour?” at 11pm, while your child is still wide awake and you’re on your third cup of tea… you’re very much not alone.

For many families, concerns about ADHD creep up slowly. Things don’t quite settle. School keeps mentioning focus. Homework feels like a nightly endurance event. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you start wondering whether an ADHD assessment might help.

So let’s talk through it calmly, clearly, and without medical jargon. This is a practical guide to how ADHD diagnosis works in the UK — and what parents can realistically expect along the way.

First things first: what is an ADHD diagnosis?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition. That means it’s about how the brain develops and works — not poor parenting, laziness, or “not trying hard enough” (despite what that little voice in your head may sometimes whisper).

A diagnosis looks at patterns of:

• Inattention (difficulty sustaining focus, organisation, follow-through)

• Hyperactivity (restlessness, constant movement, talking a lot)

• Impulsivity (acting before thinking, interrupting, emotional reactivity)

Importantly, these traits need to:

• Be present in more than one setting (e.g. home and school; during leisure and work)

• Have been noticeable from early childhood (before the age of 12)

• Be causing real-life difficulties, not just mild quirks (in other words the impact must be significant)

This is why ADHD diagnosis is never based on a quick checklist alone.

Step 1: Speak to your GP (the NHS route)

For most families, the NHS journey begins with a visit to the GP.

You don’t need to arrive with a diagnosis — just concerns. It can help to bring:

• Examples from home and school

• School reports or SEN notes (if you have them)

• A short list of the main difficulties affecting daily life

The GP may:

• Refer your child to Comunity Paediatrics or CAMHS

• Ask the school to complete observation questionnaires

• Rule out other factors (sleep, anxiety, hearing, vision)

You can find more detail on the NHS ADHD pathway here.

A gentle reality check on waiting times

NHS ADHD waiting lists can be long — often months to years, depending on your area. This isn’t because your concerns aren’t valid; it’s a system under pressure.

Many parents choose to stay on the NHS list while exploring other options.

Step 2: The Right to Choose pathway (England)

In England, families have the legal right to choose an alternative NHS-funded provider for ADHD assessments.

This can sometimes mean:

• Shorter waiting times

• Fully NHS-recognised diagnoses

• No private fees

Your GP must make the referral, but you can request this pathway specifically.

NICE guidance on ADHD assessment underpins this process.

Step 3: Private ADHD assessments (UK-wide)

Some families opt for a private ADHD assessment, especially when waiting times feel unmanageable.

A reputable private assessment should:

• Be carried out by experienced clinicians

• Use structured interviews and validated questionnaires

• Gather information from parents and school

• Assess developmental history, not just current behaviour

At NeuroDiverseKids, assessments are designed to be:

• Thorough but child-friendly

• Online (no stressful clinic visits)

• Focused on understanding your child, not just labelling them

The goal isn’t a tick-box diagnosis — it’s clarity, reassurance, and a plan.

What actually happens during an ADHD assessment?

Most ADHD assessments include:

• A detailed parent interview

• School questionnaires or teacher input

• Review of early development

• Discussion of strengths as well as challenges

You’re not being judged. There’s no “right” or “wrong” answer. Clinicians are simply looking for consistent patterns over time.

What if my child doesn’t meet criteria?

This is an important (and often reassuring) point.

Not every child referred for ADHD will receive an ADHD diagnosis — and that’s okay. Sometimes assessments highlight:

• Anxiety

• Learning differences

• Emotional regulation difficulties

• Executive function challenges without ADHD

A good assessment still provides useful guidance, even without a diagnosis.

What happens after diagnosis?

An ADHD diagnosis isn’t the end of the road — it’s the start of understanding.

It can help with:

• School support and reasonable adjustments

• Parenting strategies that actually work

• Explaining behaviours with compassion, not blame

• Access to evidence-based support

Support doesn’t automatically mean medication. NICE recommends a stepped approach, starting with education, behavioural strategies, and environmental adjustments.

For more on evidence-based ADHD guidance.

A final word for parents

If you’re considering an ADHD assessment, it usually means you’ve already tried everything. And the fact you’re asking these questions tells me one important thing:

You’re paying attention. You’re advocating. You’re doing your best.

An ADHD diagnosis isn’t about labelling a child — it’s about understanding how their brain works, so we can support them more kindly and effectively.

And that’s always a good place to start.

​Book an assessment or discuss treatment.