Assessments are typically completed over three hours.
In children under 12, assessments are typically completed over two sessions.
During this session your child will be asked to complete a computerised test, called the QBCheck. This lasts approximately 20 minutes and measures the core symptoms of ADHD; inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Please ensure that your child brings their glasses with them, if required, and a hairband as it is important that their hair is out of their face during this task.
We will use the remainder of the session to talk with your child about their experience of home and school in order to better understand some of the things they find difficult. We may ask them to complete some questionnaires and will also play some games.
As part of this session we will explore your child’s developmental history and complete a clinical interview. This allows us to better understand the different ways in which ADHD may be impacting your child’s life. Your child may be invited to attend part of this session depending on their age.
In children over 12 we may suggest meeting for one 3-hour assessment session where we will meet with your child for 1 hour, and you and your child for the subsequent time. The format of the assessment will be discussed during the initial consultation.
Following this session we will arrange a time, with your permission, to speak with your child’s school or college. If your child is not within any formal educational setting, we may ask to speak with someone else who knows them well outside the family, such as a football coach or music teacher. This allows us to explore if and how some of the difficulties associated with ADHD may present in other settings.
We also ask that you provide copies of any old school reports to inform the assessment.
Please note the length of the assessment may vary depending on complexity. The fee remains the same.
After your child’s assessment, we review all the information we have gathered and carefully consider within our team whether the diagnostic criteria has been reached.
A feedback session will be arranged in order to share the results and to think together about next steps. Your child will be invited to attend this appointment. We will discuss who best to share the diagnosis with and begin to support you and your child to understand their diagnosis. Some young people will benefit from further post-diagnostic support. We will also discuss whether you would like to consider medication as a treatment option and if so can refer you to Dr Abigail & Associates who we work in partnership with.
If a diagnosis is not given, we will talk you through why this decision was reached and support you to better understand what else may contribute to the things your child is finding difficult. We will then help you to think about where to go next and whether your child would benefit from any other support.
You will be provided with a full written report following your assessment. You will have the opportunity to review a draft copy before the final report is sent to you. A child-friendly report will also be provided. Where possible, we aim to provide this within 4 weeks of your assessment date.
Clinic locations:
St Albans Rooms: 21 Victoria Street, St Albans, AL1 3JJ.
Albany Centre: 4 Victoria Street, St Albans AL1 3JD.
