ADHD Assessments
Private ADHD Assessments
For Children and Young People Aged 6 Plus
Sphere offers private assessments for ADHD, for children and young people age six and above, completed by our Consultant Paediatrician and our Educational Psychologist. Our assessments use the same tools as the NHS, but without the long wait.
​If you feel your child may have ADHD, contact us today to discuss an assessment and help them receive the support they need.
How do I refer for an ADHD Assessment?
If you have any questions, or if you'd like to make a referral, just send us a message. We'll answer any queries you have, and send you a copy of the referral form.​
​Following this, our clinical team conduct a free screening to confirm an ADHD assessment with Sphere is the service for you. We will then book your assessments in for the first available date - this is often within 8 weeks.
How does an ADHD Assessment work?
When we book your referral in, we'll send some initial questionnaires out to you and your child's school or college. These help us to build a picture of their strengths and needs in different settings.
The child or young person will then attend a QbCheck, which is a computerised test used for people aged 6 to 60. It is a standardised, objective, and comprehensive way to measure the core signs of ADHD – hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.
The QbCheck is a screening tool designed to determine whether ADHD may be present, and whether further assessment would be helpful. This test, which was developed in America, is FDA-approved and is widely used by the NHS. The QbCheck can be done online, but we recommend that you attend the centre for the appointment, which allows our clinician to observe your child and collect observational information to contribute to the assessment
The second step is for a full diagnostic assessment. We will send additional ADHD-specific questionnaires (Conners questionnaires) to you and your child’s school; these are designed to measure symptoms like inattention and impulsivity, and demonstrate how significantly symptoms impact your child’s functioning at school, and with family and peers. Your child will then meet with our Consultant Paediatrician for a General Developmental Assessment (GDA), and a detailed history will be taken using the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in young people (Young DIVA-5), in line with recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE).
In cases where a diagnosis is still unclear following these assessments, we may also recommend carrying out a school observation to gather additional information.
What happens after the assessment?
Following your assessments, we will meet with you to provide feedback and recommendations specific to your child. These may include additional assessments, referrals to local services, signposting to support information, or advice on medication. In cases where medication is recommended, we can refer you to your local NHS service to discuss this (though please be advised there can be considerable wait times for NHS ADHD clinics). The Sphere team is working on being able to provide private prescriptions in the near future. Where medication is prescribed, appointments to monitor effectiveness and physical health will also be required.
The clinical team will then send you a comprehensive written report which details the referral information, the assessment process and findings, any diagnoses which have been given, and recommendations for support. With your consent, we also send this to your GP and your child's school or college, so they can provide appropriate support.