ADHD Child & Adolescent Assessment
A neuro-affirmative ADHD assessment for children and teenagers that formulates strengths and needs, screens for co-occurring autism, and builds a plan with school and family, not just a label.
Comprehensive ADHD assessment for children and adolescents, following NICE guidelines with multidisciplinary input.
Trusted by the NHS. Built for families.
Eton Psychiatrists has completed more than 800 ADHD, autism, and combined neurodevelopmental assessments for the NHS in Wales. We are honoured to have been awarded a renewed contract with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to continue this work, one of the largest health boards in the UK.
The assessment pathway described on this page is the same evidence-based, multidisciplinary pathway we deliver for NHS patients. Every family, whether referred through the NHS or accessing us privately, receives the same rigour, the same formulation-led approach, and the same aftercare.
Understanding ADHD in Children and Young People
ADHD presents very differently at four, fourteen, and eighteen, and differently again in a child with a high IQ, in a girl entering puberty, or in a young person already struggling with anxiety or low mood. A 90-minute clinic observation can never capture that fully. Our ADHD Child & Adolescent Assessment is built around this reality.
At Eton Psychiatrists we assess comprehensively to understand the young person, not simply to confirm or rule out a diagnostic code. We produce a clinical formulation, an explanation of how attention, executive function, emotional regulation, sensory profile, learning ability, family context, and school environment interact, rather than a one-line label. Families leave with a working model of their child, a plan, and a team who will keep walking with them.
Who the Assessment Is For
- Children and adolescents (ages 5–17) where ADHD is suspected by parents, school, or a GP.
- Young people whose academic performance, friendships, or wellbeing does not match their apparent potential.
- High-ability children who "cope" in primary school and then struggle in secondary, often masking, fatigued, or quietly falling behind peers.
- Girls approaching or going through puberty, where hormonal shifts can sharply amplify inattention, emotional dysregulation, and executive function difficulties.
- Young people with possible co-occurring autism, anxiety, low mood, tic disorders, specific learning differences, or sleep disturbance.
- Children whose previous medication trial was unsuccessful and who may benefit from careful re-titration.
What Makes a Comprehensive Assessment
A robust ADHD assessment in a child or young person needs evidence that symptoms are:
- Present from early development,
- Pervasive across settings (home, school, social life),
- Causing real functional impact, and
- Not better explained by another condition.
To meet that standard we gather information from multiple sources before anyone books a clinic appointment. We review early developmental history, Personal Child Health Record (Red Book) entries where available, school reports, SENCO input, and where relevant the Individual Development Plan (IDP), Shared Care Record (SCR), and any previous psychometric work. We use validated rating scales such as SNAP-IV, Conners-3 / Conners-4, and autism-specific school information forms (e.g., ASC4) when school reports are generic, so that we have specific, quantifiable data rather than a snapshot impression.
Crucially, we do not re-send forms that families or schools have already completed recently. If information is missing from the IDP or SCR, we send only the targeted questionnaire that fills the gap (for example a focused Eton Developmental History Parent Questionnaire) rather than the full registration pack. This respects families' time and reduces assessment fatigue.
Combined Screening for Autism
ADHD and autism co-occur frequently, and the clinical picture is often missed when each condition is assessed in isolation. Every child we assess for ADHD is also screened for autism, and where indicators are present we can run a combined neurodevelopmental assessment in the same pathway, avoiding months of waiting for a second referral and giving the young person a single, coherent formulation.
Co-occurring Conditions We Look For
Anxiety, low mood, oppositional and conduct difficulties, tic disorders, developmental coordination difficulties, specific learning differences (dyslexia, dyscalculia), sleep disorders, and sensory processing differences. Our management plan is built to cover these from day one, not bolted on after diagnosis.
The Specialist Pathway for Girls in Puberty
Girls with ADHD are historically under-diagnosed, and the hormonal changes of puberty can significantly worsen symptoms. We offer a dedicated pathway for girls entering or going through puberty that:
- Tracks cycle-related fluctuation in attention, mood, and executive function,
- Reviews the interaction between hormonal contraception, stimulant medication, and emotional regulation,
- Screens carefully for co-occurring autism, anxiety, PMDD, and disordered eating,
- Works with family and school to minimise the impact of hormonal change on learning and friendships.
The Eton Approach
Formulation, not labels
We assess to understand the young person. A diagnostic code answers one question; a formulation explains how attention, executive function, sensory profile, emotions, learning, family, and school interact, and what will actually help.
Empower, don't label
We want a teenager to leave assessment with a clearer self-image, language for their strengths and needs, and the confidence to choose a path based on passion and ability, not on what is simply "available" given their difficulties. Awareness of need is a tool for agency, not a restriction.
Work with family and school
School reports are often a snapshot. We liaise directly with schools to get true, longitudinal feedback, and we support parents with psychoeducation so the whole system around the young person moves in the same direction. This is how we help eliminate discrimination and low expectations, particularly for bright children who mask well.
Screen for autism, always
ADHD and autism overlap. Every child we see for ADHD is screened for autism, and we offer combined neurodevelopmental assessment where indicated.
Plan for comorbidity from day one
Anxiety, mood, sleep, tics, learning differences, and sensory needs are built into the management plan, not treated as afterthoughts.
Safe, monitored medication
Baseline physical checks, close titration, and ongoing medical oversight. For children whose previous medication trial didn't work, we offer careful re-titration rather than discharge.
Psychology and SLT in the team
Aftercare is not a referral letter. Psychology and speech & language therapy are part of our service.
A specialist pathway for girls in puberty
Hormonal change significantly affects ADHD symptoms in girls. We have a dedicated pathway that tracks this and adjusts care accordingly.
Continuity into adult life
Structured handover to adult ADHD services at transition age, so no young person falls through the gap.
Your Journey
Enquiry & Booking
Initial enquiry with our team to confirm the assessment is appropriate, share pricing, and book the Stage 1 appointment. No full registration pack yet; we only collect what we need.
Personalised Pre-Assessment Forms
We send only the questionnaires that fill genuine gaps in what's already known: developmental history, SNAP-IV / Conners-3/4, and (where school reports are generic) an autism-specific school form (ASC4). We review the IDP, Shared Care Record, and any Red Book information first, so families are not re-answering questions.
School Liaison
Direct contact with the school / SENCO to get true longitudinal feedback rather than a single snapshot. Teacher rating scales are collected and classroom observation is arranged where useful.
Clinical Assessment
A neuro-affirmative clinical assessment of the young person, with parent interview. Autism screening is included for every ADHD assessment. The young person's voice is central, and we use age-appropriate tools (One Page Profile, Comic Strip Conversations, Relationship Circles) to capture their perspective.
Formulation & Feedback
A written formulation, not just a label. Feedback is given to family and young person together, with clear explanation of strengths, needs, co-occurring difficulties, and a personalised management plan. If medication is indicated, we plan baseline checks and titration.
Aftercare & Transition
We plan and offer ongoing review with psychology and SLT integrated into the team. We have successfully arranged shared care agreements for hundreds of patients based on local ICB policies, with safe medication monitoring. For girls in puberty, a dedicated pathway. At 16+ we begin structured handover to adult services so care continues seamlessly.
What to Expect
Before the appointment
If you need further reassurance before booking you can contact us or email us, and together we can confirm that this pathway is right for your child. We will tell you exactly which forms we need you, your child, and the school to complete, and which we can skip because the information already exists in the IDP, Shared Care Record, Red Book, or recent school report. Nothing is sent twice.
Your child is a partner, not a subject
We involve children and adolescents in their own assessment at a level appropriate to their age. Teenagers in particular are invited to speak for themselves about what they enjoy, what they find hard, what makes them feel safe or unsafe at school, and how they would like to be supported. Their voice shapes the formulation.
The clinical appointment
A calm, unhurried conversation, typically with the young person and their parent(s). The clinician will explore development, attention, executive function, mood, sensory profile, social communication, sleep, and physical health. We also screen for autism in every ADHD assessment.
The report
You receive a written formulation that explains how and why your child experiences the world the way they do, with a clear management plan. This is a document you can share with school to unlock support, and one that grows with your child rather than freezing them at a point in time.
If medication is recommended
We take physical health seriously. Baseline cardiovascular, growth, and sleep checks are carried out before starting. Titration is slow and closely monitored. A medical expert in the team reviews physical health throughout. If a previous medication trial was unsuccessful, we will look carefully at whether re-titration is appropriate before assuming medication isn't the right path.
Aftercare
Psychology, executive function coaching, and speech & language therapy are available in-house. Girls going through puberty have a dedicated review pathway. At 16+ we plan the transition to adult services with you.
Our promise
No one-off label. No generic letter. A team who stays with your child.
Our Clinicians
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
- HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist
- Neurodiversity Trainer for Clinicians — supervision, training and clinical CPD
Fees & Pricing
Children and Adolescent ADHD and Autism Combined assessment
A Consultant‑led combined ADHD and Autism assessment for under‑18s: parent, young person and school questionnaires, developmental history, direct clinical assessment with validated ADHD and Autism tools, careful evaluation for masking and high‑IQ compensation, an integrated report for GP, school/EHCP and CAMHS, and a feedback session with tailored recommendations.
What's Included
- Full Diagnostic Report including Neurodevelopmental & Collateral History
- Reasonable Adjustment and personalised plan for school
- Direct liaison with GP
Disclaimer A diagnosis is only made where clinical criteria are met; the fee covers the full assessment and report whether or not a diagnosis is confirmed. Medication, prescriptions, shared‑care agreements and follow‑up appointments are charged separately.
ADHD Assessment (Child & Adolescent)
Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and treatment for children and adolescents aged from age 4 by GMC-registered Consultant child & adolescent psychiatrists — includes a written report, reasonable adjustment recommendations, and autism screening where clinically indicated.
What's Included
- Comprehensive ADHD assessment and Written Report based on strength and need of the young person.
- Reasonable Adjustment and personalised plan
- Review of multi source developmental and educational history
- Screening for co-existing conditions
- Full NICE compliant assessment
Educational Psychology Assessment
Private dyslexia or educational psychology assessment is essentially a "deep dive" into how a brain processes information. It isn’t a pass/fail exam; rather, it’s a series of puzzles and tasks designed to map out cognitive strengths and identifies exactly where the "bottlenecks" in learning occur.
At Eton, we move away from the traditional "deficit model." We don’t believe in the limiting label of a learning disability; instead, we view these assessments as a vital tool to help you understand your unique learning profile. Our goal is to uncover your innate strengths and identify your specific needs so that you can navigate your education with confidence and truly thrive.