ADHD Knowledge Centre
The ADHD Path Guide
Every guide starts with a direct answer, is written and reviewed by a named clinician, and cites its evidence. Screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment are clearly distinguished throughout.
ADHD Assessment
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Private ADHD Assessment UK
An ADHD assessment is a structured clinical evaluation used to determine whether a person's symptoms and history meet recognised diagnostic criteria for ADHD. A comprehensive assessment considers current symptoms, childhood history, functional impairment, other possible explanations and relevant coexisting conditions.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Assessment Process
During an ADHD assessment, a specialist gathers information about your current symptoms, childhood development, how difficulties affect daily life across settings, and other possible explanations. A structured interview is used to organise this evidence, and the clinician then forms a diagnostic conclusion, gives feedback and writes a report.
Reviewed September 2026
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Online ADHD Assessment UK
Yes. For many adults and some young people, an ADHD assessment can be carried out by secure video with the same structured clinical interview, developmental history and collateral information as a face-to-face appointment. Online assessment is not suitable for everyone, and the clinician may recommend meeting in person.
Reviewed September 2026
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What Happens at an ADHD Assessment?
An ADHD assessment is a structured clinical conversation, usually lasting two to three hours, in which a specialist explores your current difficulties, childhood history, the impact on daily life and other possible explanations. It typically includes pre-assessment questionnaires, a structured interview such as DIVA-5, information from someone who knew you as a child where possible, and ends with a diagnostic outcome and written report.
Reviewed October 2026
ADHD Diagnosis
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ADHD Diagnosis UK
In the UK, NICE NG87 states that ADHD should only be diagnosed by a specialist psychiatrist, paediatrician or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in ADHD, following a full clinical and psychosocial assessment. GPs do not usually diagnose ADHD themselves.
Reviewed September 2026
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How Is ADHD Diagnosed in the UK?
ADHD is diagnosed in the UK by a specialist clinician after a full clinical and psychosocial assessment. The clinician gathers evidence of current symptoms, childhood onset, impairment across more than one setting and alternative explanations, often using a structured interview such as DIVA-5, then decides whether recognised diagnostic criteria are met.
Reviewed September 2026
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What Is the DIVA-5 ADHD Assessment?
DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, version 5) is a structured clinical interview that guides a clinician through each DSM-5 ADHD symptom criterion for both childhood and adulthood, and through areas of impairment. It is a tool for gathering evidence within a comprehensive assessment — it is not an automated test and does not produce a diagnosis by itself.
Reviewed September 2026
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What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis?
After an ADHD diagnosis you receive a written report and a follow-up discussion. Next steps may include information and support about ADHD, practical adjustments at work or in education, psychological approaches and — where clinically appropriate — a medication assessment followed by titration and monitoring.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Diagnostic Criteria
ADHD is diagnosed when a clinician finds a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that began in childhood, is present in more than one setting, clearly impairs everyday functioning and is not better explained by another condition. In the UK, clinicians use DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 criteria within a full clinical and psychosocial assessment, as NICE NG87 recommends.
Reviewed October 2026
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Who Can Diagnose ADHD in the UK?
In the UK, NICE NG87 says ADHD should be diagnosed only by a specialist psychiatrist, paediatrician or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in diagnosing ADHD, following a full clinical and psychosocial assessment. GPs, teachers and online questionnaires can raise the possibility of ADHD but cannot diagnose it.
Reviewed October 2026
ADHD Symptoms
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ADHD Symptoms
The core symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. To be clinically significant, symptoms must be persistent, begin in childhood, occur in more than one setting and cause meaningful impairment. Many people experience some of these symptoms occasionally — only a comprehensive assessment can determine whether they reflect ADHD.
Reviewed September 2026
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Inattentive ADHD Symptoms
Inattentive ADHD symptoms are persistent difficulties sustaining attention, following through, organising, keeping track of things and resisting distraction — beyond what is expected for a person's age and present since childhood. When enough of these symptoms are present without significant hyperactivity-impulsivity, it is called predominantly inattentive presentation.
Reviewed October 2026
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Hyperactive ADHD Symptoms
Hyperactivity in ADHD means persistent, excessive motor activity or restlessness that is inappropriate to the situation — such as fidgeting, leaving one's seat, running or climbing in children, talking excessively and difficulty relaxing. In adults it often becomes an inner sense of restlessness rather than visible over-activity.
Reviewed October 2026
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ADHD and Impulsivity
Impulsivity in ADHD means acting or speaking before thinking, with difficulty waiting or holding back — for example blurting out answers, interrupting others or finding it very hard to wait in turn. In adults it may also show as impulsive spending, decisions or risk-taking. It is assessed together with hyperactivity as one symptom domain.
Reviewed October 2026
ADHD Medication
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ADHD Treatment UK
ADHD treatment in the UK follows NICE NG87 and is tailored to the person. It usually starts with information and support about ADHD, practical and environmental adjustments, and may include psychological approaches and — where clinically appropriate — medication, started by a specialist and carefully titrated and monitored.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Medication UK
ADHD medications licensed or recommended in the UK include stimulants (methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine) and non-stimulants (atomoxetine and guanfacine). NICE NG87 sets out which to consider first by age. Medication must be started by a specialist with ADHD expertise after a physical health assessment.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Medication Titration
ADHD titration is the process of starting medication at a low dose and adjusting it gradually, with regular reviews of benefit, side effects, blood pressure, pulse and weight, until the most effective tolerable dose is found. It typically takes several weeks to a few months.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Shared Care
ADHD shared care is an arrangement in which a specialist starts and stabilises ADHD medication and a GP then agrees to continue prescribing, with the specialist retaining responsibility for review. Shared care arrangements are subject to individual GP practice agreement and cannot be guaranteed.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Medication Monitoring
Once ADHD medication is stable, NICE NG87 recommends at least an annual review by a healthcare professional with ADHD expertise, and regular checks of blood pressure, pulse, weight (and height in children), side effects, and whether medication is still needed and effective.
Reviewed September 2026
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Methylphenidate for ADHD
Methylphenidate is a stimulant medicine licensed in the UK for treating ADHD. It increases the availability of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, which can improve attention and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. It works within an hour or so and lasts several hours depending on the preparation. It is prescribed only after diagnosis, when clinically appropriate, and the dose is adjusted gradually during titration with regular monitoring.
Reviewed October 2026
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Lisdexamfetamine for ADHD
Lisdexamfetamine is a stimulant medicine (a prodrug of dexamfetamine) licensed in the UK for treating ADHD. It is converted in the body to dexamfetamine, giving a smooth, long-acting effect through the day that can improve attention and reduce impulsivity. It is prescribed only after diagnosis, when clinically appropriate, and the dose is adjusted gradually during titration with regular monitoring.
Reviewed October 2026
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Atomoxetine for ADHD
Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant medicine (a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) licensed in the UK for treating ADHD. It increases noradrenaline levels and works gradually, so the full effect may take several weeks. It provides continuous cover rather than wearing off during the day. It is prescribed only after diagnosis, when clinically appropriate, and the dose is adjusted gradually during titration with regular monitoring.
Reviewed October 2026
Informational
Guanfacine for ADHD
Guanfacine is a non-stimulant medicine (an alpha-2A adrenergic agonist) licensed in the UK for treating ADHD. It acts on receptors in the prefrontal cortex involved in attention and impulse control. In the UK it is licensed for children and young people aged 6–17; use in adults is off-label and a specialist decision. It is prescribed only after diagnosis, when clinically appropriate, and the dose is adjusted gradually during titration with regular monitoring.
Reviewed October 2026
ADHD in Adults
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Adult ADHD Assessment (16+)
Adult ADHD is assessed through a comprehensive clinical interview with a specialist, covering current symptoms, evidence that symptoms began in childhood, how they affect daily life, and whether other conditions better explain them. A structured interview such as DIVA-5 is used to organise this evidence against recognised diagnostic criteria.
Reviewed September 2026
Informational
ADHD Symptoms in Adults
In adults, ADHD commonly shows as difficulty sustaining attention, disorganisation, poor time management, forgetfulness, internal restlessness and impulsive decisions. For a diagnosis, these must be persistent, present since childhood, occur in more than one setting and cause meaningful impairment.
Reviewed September 2026
ADHD in Children
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Child ADHD Assessment
ADHD in children and young people is assessed by a specialist through a detailed developmental history, interviews with parents or carers, time with the child, and information from school or other settings. NICE NG87 emphasises that symptoms must be present in more than one setting and must cause impairment before a diagnosis is made.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Symptoms in Children
Signs of ADHD in children include difficulty staying focused, frequently losing things, not following instructions, fidgeting, difficulty staying seated, talking excessively and acting without thinking. To be clinically significant, they must be more marked than expected for the child's age, present in more than one setting and cause impairment.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD in Teenagers
In teenagers, ADHD often shows as difficulty organising schoolwork, missed homework, inconsistent grades, forgetfulness, restlessness and impulsive decisions, rather than the visible over-activity seen in younger children. Because some of this overlaps with typical adolescence, assessment looks for a persistent pattern from early childhood across home and school that is clearly affecting the young person.
Reviewed October 2026
ADHD in Women
ADHD and Mental Health
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ADHD and Autism
Yes. ADHD and autism are separate neurodevelopmental conditions that commonly occur together, and both can be diagnosed in the same person. Some features overlap — such as difficulty with attention or social interaction — so a careful assessment looks at why each difficulty happens. An ADHD assessment can identify possible autistic traits, but autism needs its own specialist assessment.
Reviewed October 2026
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ADHD and Anxiety
Yes. Anxiety can cause poor concentration, restlessness, forgetfulness and difficulty finishing tasks — symptoms that overlap with ADHD. The two also commonly occur together. A clinical assessment distinguishes them by looking at when difficulties started, whether they are present when you are not anxious, and the lifelong pattern since childhood.
Reviewed October 2026
ADHD at Work
ADHD at University
NHS & Private ADHD Care
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ADHD Assessment Cost UK
At ADHD Path, an adult ADHD assessment (16+) costs £499 online or £699 in person. Adolescent (12–15) and child (6–11) assessments cost £649 online or £849 in person. Both include pre-assessment questionnaires, the clinical assessment, a written report and a follow-up call. Titration (with prescriptions included), monitoring and shared care letters are separate, optional and only offered where clinically appropriate.
Reviewed September 2026
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NHS vs Private ADHD Assessment
NHS and private ADHD assessments should both follow NICE NG87 and be carried out by appropriately qualified specialists. The main differences are cost, how you are referred, waiting times (which vary by area), and arrangements for prescribing after diagnosis. The right choice depends on your circumstances.
Reviewed September 2026
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Private ADHD Assessment
A private ADHD assessment buys you a comprehensive clinical assessment by a registered specialist, with self-referral, a choice of clinician and appointment time, a written report and a follow-up discussion. You are paying for the assessment — not for a diagnosis, and not for medication.
Reviewed September 2026
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NHS ADHD Assessment
To get an NHS ADHD assessment you usually speak to your GP, who can refer you to a local specialist ADHD or neurodevelopmental service if appropriate. Children may also be referred via school, a health visitor or a paediatrician. Eligibility criteria and waiting times vary by area.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Right to Choose
Right to Choose is a legal right in England that, in certain circumstances, lets you choose which provider your GP refers you to for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant-led mental health service — including ADHD assessment — provided that provider holds a relevant NHS contract. ADHD Path does not currently accept NHS Right to Choose referrals.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD GP Referral
You need a GP referral for an NHS ADHD assessment in most areas, and for Right to Choose in England. You do not need one for a private assessment, although involving your GP is still recommended — particularly if you might later want shared-care prescribing.
Reviewed September 2026
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ADHD Assessment Waiting Times
ADHD assessment waiting times vary widely between NHS areas and change over time, so there is no single accurate UK figure. Your GP or local ADHD service can tell you the current wait in your area. Private providers show their own availability directly.
Reviewed September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Clinically reviewed guides in this category are in preparation.