Children 6–11 · Adolescents 12–15

Child ADHD Assessment

Clinically reviewed by Hamza Khairkhwah(GPhC) Last reviewed September 2026

Direct answer

How is ADHD assessed in children and young people?

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.

Parents/carers are central to the assessment
School information is requested with your consent
Symptoms must be present across settings (e.g. home and school)
Led by an ADHD specialist clinician

Parent and carer involvement

A parent or carer with parental responsibility attends the assessment and provides detailed information about the child's development, behaviour, health and family history. Where parents live separately, we welcome input from both where appropriate.

Who assesses children and young people?

Children aged 6–11 are assessed by two named ADHD Path clinicians: Shamir Patel (MPharm, independent prescriber, GPhC 2049338), our CQC Registered Manager, and Kamran Fazal (MPharm, independent prescriber, GPhC 2228174).

Adolescents aged 12–15 may also be seen by Mark Thornton-Jones or Hamza Khairkhwah. Every clinician's registration links directly to the public GPhC register so parents can verify it.

Developmental history

The clinician asks about pregnancy and birth, early milestones, speech and language, sleep, social development, early school experiences and any previous concerns. This helps distinguish ADHD from other developmental or environmental explanations.

School information and multiple settings

With consent, we send standardised questionnaires to the child's school and request any relevant reports. Rating scales from parents and teachers help show whether difficulties occur across settings, but they support clinical judgement rather than replacing it.

The child's or young person's perspective

The clinician spends time with the child or young person — for older children and teenagers, partly on their own — to understand their experience, strengths and worries in an age-appropriate way.

Age considerations

ADHD Path assesses children from age 6. In younger children, typical developmental variation can make assessment less reliable. For teenagers, the assessment also considers mood, self-esteem, risk-taking, substance use and the transition to adult services.

Differential diagnosis

Autism, specific learning difficulties, language disorders, anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, hearing or vision difficulties, attachment difficulties and adverse experiences can present similarly to ADHD or coexist with it. These are considered carefully and may lead to further recommendations.

Safeguarding

All clinicians working with children hold enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding training. If a safeguarding concern arises during assessment, we follow statutory guidance and our safeguarding policy, led by our named safeguarding lead.

Child assessment pathway

The steps below describe the child assessment journey and are the text equivalent of the pathway diagram.

ADHD assessment pathway — 11 steps

1
Initial information
questionnaires, consent, identity check and, where available, school reports or previous records.
2
Developmental history
early childhood, school years and family history, ideally with input from someone who knew you as a child.
3
Current symptoms
inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity explored in detail with real-life examples.
4
Functional impairment
how symptoms affect work, education, relationships, finances, driving and daily life.
5
Assessment across relevant settings
evidence that difficulties occur in more than one setting (e.g. home and school/work).
6
Differential diagnosis
considering whether anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep problems, substance use or other conditions better explain symptoms.
7
Structured interview
DIVA-5 for adults or age-appropriate structured interview for children, used to organise evidence against diagnostic criteria.
8
Clinical formulation
the clinician integrates all evidence using clinical judgement.
9
Diagnostic outcome
whether recognised criteria (DSM-5-TR / ICD-11) are met, not met, or further information is needed.
10
Written report
formulation, outcome, reasoning and recommendations.
11
Next steps
psychoeducation, support options, medication assessment where appropriate, or signposting.

Price

The child and young person assessment includes all sessions, school information review, written report and follow-up call.

ADHD Path price breakdown
Item	What it covers	Price
AssessmentAdult ADHD assessment (16+) — onlineSecure video assessment. Pre-assessment questionnaires, clinical assessment including DIVA-5, review of collateral information, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.	Secure video assessment. Pre-assessment questionnaires, clinical assessment including DIVA-5, review of collateral information, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.Duration: 2–3 hours	£499one-off
AssessmentAdult ADHD assessment (16+) — in personFace-to-face assessment at one of our clinics. Pre-assessment questionnaires, clinical assessment including DIVA-5, review of collateral information, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.	Face-to-face assessment at one of our clinics. Pre-assessment questionnaires, clinical assessment including DIVA-5, review of collateral information, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.Duration: 2–3 hours	£699one-off
AssessmentAdolescent ADHD assessment (12–15) — onlineSecure video assessment. Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.	Secure video assessment. Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours	£649one-off
AssessmentAdolescent ADHD assessment (12–15) — in personFace-to-face assessment at one of our clinics. Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.	Face-to-face assessment at one of our clinics. Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours	£849one-off
AssessmentChild ADHD assessment (6–11) — onlineSecure video assessment. Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.	Secure video assessment. Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours	£649one-off
AssessmentChild ADHD assessment (6–11) — in personFace-to-face assessment at one of our clinics (often recommended for younger children). Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.	Face-to-face assessment at one of our clinics (often recommended for younger children). Parent/carer interview, time with the young person, school information review, developmental history, diagnostic outcome, written report and follow-up call.Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours	£849one-off
ReportWritten clinical reportFull written report with diagnostic formulation and recommendations, sent within 10 working days. Included in both assessments.	Full written report with diagnostic formulation and recommendations, sent within 10 working days. Included in both assessments.	Included
Follow-upPost-assessment follow-up callA 30-minute call to discuss the report and next steps. Included in both assessments.	A 30-minute call to discuss the report and next steps. Included in both assessments.	Included
TitrationTitration reviewDose-adjustment review, usually every 2–4 weeks. Most people need 3–6 reviews, but this varies.	Dose-adjustment review, usually every 2–4 weeks. Most people need 3–6 reviews, but this varies.Duration: 20–30 minutes	£199per review
PrescriptionsPrivate prescription feePrivate prescriptions issued during titration are included within the titration review cost. Your prescription is written on a private prescription form (pink prescription paper) and can either be posted to your home address, so you can take it to a pharmacy of your choice, or sent to our partner pharmacy, Pharmacare in Bolton (GPhC premises 9012877), which will dispense your medication and deliver it directly to your door — typically within 24 hours of receiving payment for the cost of the medicine.	Private prescriptions issued during titration are included within the titration review cost. Your prescription is written on a private prescription form (pink prescription paper) and can either be posted to your home address, so you can take it to a pharmacy of your choice, or sent to our partner pharmacy, Pharmacare in Bolton (GPhC premises 9012877), which will dispense your medication and deliver it directly to your door — typically within 24 hours of receiving payment for the cost of the medicine.	Included
Additional costsShared care agreement letterOnce you have been stable and optimised on medication for 3 consecutive months, if your NHS GP will accept shared care we will complete the forms to request this. Shared care is at your GP's discretion and cannot be guaranteed.	Once you have been stable and optimised on medication for 3 consecutive months, if your NHS GP will accept shared care we will complete the forms to request this. Shared care is at your GP's discretion and cannot be guaranteed.	£150one-off
MonitoringOngoing monitoring reviewSix-monthly review of benefit, side effects and physical health, in line with NICE NG87. If your NHS GP approves shared care, we will still check in with you every 6 months to make sure your medication is being prescribed safely by your GP, and we will write to your GP after each review to confirm whether it remains appropriate to continue.	Six-monthly review of benefit, side effects and physical health, in line with NICE NG87. If your NHS GP approves shared care, we will still check in with you every 6 months to make sure your medication is being prescribed safely by your GP, and we will write to your GP after each review to confirm whether it remains appropriate to continue.	£99per 6 months
PrescriptionsRepeat prescription (clinician approved only)If you are not eligible for a shared care agreement, or your NHS GP declines shared care, an ongoing monthly repeat prescription service is available. The £49 monthly fee covers repeat prescription writing, issued only with clinician approval, and our clinicians will continue to monitor you under our care.	If you are not eligible for a shared care agreement, or your NHS GP declines shared care, an ongoing monthly repeat prescription service is available. The £49 monthly fee covers repeat prescription writing, issued only with clinician approval, and our clinicians will continue to monitor you under our care.	£49per month

Diagnosis and post-diagnostic support

After the assessment, parents receive feedback and a written report suitable for sharing with school and the GP. If ADHD is diagnosed, NICE recommends that families are offered information and support first; medication may be considered for children aged 5 and over where symptoms continue to cause significant impairment after environmental modifications have been implemented and reviewed.

Your child's clinicians (ages 6–11)

Shamir Patel

CQC Registered Manager & Clinical Pharmacist

GPhC 2049338

Kamran Fazal

Advanced ADHD Specialist Practitioner

GPhC 2228174

Book an ADHD Assessment

Structured clinical assessment and written outcome.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the school have to be involved?

School information is strongly recommended because NICE emphasises information from more than one setting. We only contact the school with your consent.

Can a child be assessed online?

Some parts can be completed online. For younger children or complex presentations, a face-to-face appointment is often recommended.

What age can you assess?

We assess children aged 6–11 and adolescents aged 12–15. From 16 we offer adult assessments.

Will the school accept a private diagnosis?

Schools generally consider reports from appropriately qualified clinicians. Support in school depends on need rather than diagnosis alone.

Can a teenager attend without a parent?

For under-16s, a parent or carer with parental responsibility must be involved. From 16, young people are assessed on our adult pathway, with family involvement discussed individually.

What if my child is also being assessed for autism?

Tell us at booking. ADHD and autism can occur together; our clinicians will consider both and advise on any further assessment needed.

Will my child be prescribed medication?

Not automatically. NICE recommends support and environmental changes first; medication is considered only where clinically appropriate.

How is the young person prepared?

We send a short, age-appropriate explanation of what will happen and who they will meet.

Related ADHD Path services

Clinical authorship & review

Written by

Hamza Khairkhwah

MPharm (First Class, Bradford, 2021), Independent Prescriber, ADHD Specialist in Diagnosis (2025), ADHD Specialist in Management (2025) · ADHD Clinical Specialist Pharmacist

GPhC 2228294

Clinically reviewed by