Getting an ADHD Assessment for Your Child: NHS Waits, Right to Choose, and What Happens Next

The hardest part, for a lot of families, is not deciding to seek an ADHD assessment; it is the long, uncertain wait that follows. A parent I know described the referral as "posting a letter into a void". Knowing how the process works, and what your options are, makes that wait a little less bewildering. Here is a calm guide to getting an assessment and what to expect.

Where Assessment Starts

An ADHD assessment must be carried out by qualified professionals; it is not something a school or a website can do. The usual starting point is your GP, or sometimes the school raising concerns through their own channels. The GP can discuss your concerns, rule out other causes, and refer your child on to the appropriate service for assessment, often a paediatric or child and adolescent mental health service. It helps to go to the GP with specific examples of what you and the school have noticed.

The Reality of NHS Waits

It would be dishonest to pretend the wait is short. In many areas, waiting times for ADHD assessment are long, and they vary considerably depending on where you live and the local service. It is genuinely hard not to know how long you will wait. What helps is to understand that the wait, however frustrating, does not prevent your child getting support at school in the meantime, and to ask the referring service roughly what to expect so you are not left entirely in the dark. Because waits differ so much and change over time, do not rely on any specific figure; ask your local service.

Right to Choose in England

One option many families are unaware of is the Right to Choose. In England, patients generally have a legal right to choose which provider they are referred to for many NHS services, including, in many cases, ADHD assessment, provided the provider has an NHS contract. For some families this can mean a shorter wait by choosing a different qualified provider, still funded by the NHS rather than paid for privately. The rules and what is available locally can be complex and can change, so if you want to explore this, discuss it with your GP and check the current NHS guidance on Right to Choose, rather than assuming it applies in every case.

What an Assessment Involves

An ADHD assessment is thorough and looks at the whole child, not a single test. It typically involves:

• Detailed discussion of your child's development, behaviour and history, with you and often with the school
• Questionnaires completed by parents and teachers, since ADHD traits should show across different settings
• Observation and clinical judgement by the professionals involved
• Consideration of other possible explanations, such as anxiety or sleep difficulties

The aim is to build a rounded picture over time, which is part of why the process is not quick. A diagnosis, if given, should come with discussion of what support and next steps might help.

What to Do While You Wait

• Work with the school on SEN Support now; help does not require a diagnosis
• Keep a simple record of what you notice, which will be useful when the assessment comes
• Look after the whole family's wellbeing; the wait is stressful and support for you matters too
• Use reputable sources such as the NHS website and charities for practical strategies in the meantime

Reliable Support and Your Rights

The NHS website sets out how assessment works, and SENDIASS can advise on school support, while IPSEA provides guidance on SEND law. As England's SEND system is being reformed, check gov.uk and IPSEA for the current position on processes and entitlements, as details may change.

Keeping the Process Organised

Between GP appointments, referrals, questionnaires and school meetings, there is a lot to keep track of during a long assessment journey. My School Agent can pull the school's emails and reminders into a daily briefing and shared calendar, so appointments and meetings stay in one place and nothing gets lost. The wait is hard, but you are not powerless within it: support at school can begin now, and understanding the route ahead makes the void feel a little less empty.