DR GILL WALKER - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHOTHERAPIST & SUPERVISOR

ADHD assessments for adults & children

If you or your child has spent years being told to try harder, focus more, or just get organised, and it never quite worked, you're not lazy and you're not making excuses. ADHD is real, it's common, and in adults especially it's frequently missed. An assessment can bring real clarity and open doors to the right kind of support.

SEND ASSESSMENT ENQUIRY

What is an ADHD assessment?

An ADHD assessment is a structured psychological evaluation that explores attention, concentration, impulsivity, executive functioning, emotional regulation and how these affect daily life. It goes well beyond a checklist,  a thorough assessment considers your full history, looks at how you function across different settings, and rules out other explanations.

ADHD presents differently in different people. Some struggle primarily with inattention and distractibility. Others experience hyperactivity and impulsivity. Many experience both. A good assessment captures this complexity.

Who is ADHD assessment for?

Signs you may recognise

These vary widely from person to person. You don't need to recognise every one of them - if several feel familiar, it's worth getting in touch.

Assessment may be helpful if you or your child:

  • Has significant, persistent difficulties with attention or concentration
  • Is impulsive - acts or speaks before thinking
  • Struggles to organise tasks, manage time or prioritise
  • Has intense, highly focused interests
  • Is easily distracted, even by internal thoughts
  • Has a history of underachievement relative to their ability
  • Experiences emotional dysregulation — big feelings that arrive quickly
  • Has always needed to work harder than others to achieve the same results

For children

Common reasons for referral include ongoing difficulties with focus and attention at school, disruptive or impulsive behaviour, emotional dysregulation, struggling to complete tasks, or underperforming despite obvious intelligence.

For adults

ADHD often goes unrecognised for years. Many adults reach their 30s, 40s or beyond wondering why they can't seem to do what everyone else seems to manage - staying organised, following through, managing time, keeping on top of responsibilities. ADHD in adults often looks less like "bouncing off the walls" and more like chronic underperformance, frustration and exhaustion.

What does the assessment involve?

ADHD assessment at INPSYGHT is comprehensive and evidence-based. Tools are selected according to your specific history and may include:

  • Conners 4 (children/adolescents) or CAARS (adults) - standardised rating scales
    BRIEF - Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function
  • Cognitive assessment of attention, working memory and processing speed
  • Structured clinical interview and developmental history
  • Rating scales completed by a parent, partner or teacher to capture functioning across settings

The requirement that symptoms be present across more than one setting (home and school or work) is a core part of a valid ADHD assessment - this is why multi-informant data matters.

What will I receive at the end

You'll receive a comprehensive written report that includes:

  • Clear summary of assessment findings and diagnosis where appropriate
  • A detailed profile of strengths and areas of difficulty
  • Practical recommendations for school, university or the workplace
  • Support for accommodations (exam conditions, workplace adjustments) where relevant
  • Documentation that can be shared with GPs, schools or employers as needed

ADHD in women and girls

ADHD in females has historically been significantly under-recognised. Girls often present with inattentive (rather than hyperactive) symptoms, and are more likely to internalise difficulties and mask effectively - meaning they're frequently missed at school age and don't receive diagnosis until adulthood, if ever.

Dr Gill SH Walker has specific experience assessing ADHD in women and girls, and understands the particular ways it presents across the lifespan.

How the process works

Assessment takes place across several appointments and includes a consultation, rating scales, direct assessment sessions and a feedback meeting. A written report is delivered within six weeks. See our full step by step guide here. 

SEND ASSESSMENT ENQUIRY 

Further assessments & resources

Autism Assessments | Adults & Children

Autism Assessments | Adults & Children