If you’re looking for an ADHD assessment for yourself, your daughter, or someone you care about, you want to know you’re in safe hands. Get more information about our AuDHD (autism and ADHD) assessment

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) publishes guidance that sets the standard for high-quality ADHD assessments across the UK. At our service, these guidelines shape what we do—but we also believe that a truly good assessment goes beyond meeting clinical standards.

We know that many of the ADHD girls and women we meet have spent years feeling misunderstood, masking their difficulties or being told that they’re, “lazy”, “away with the fairies”, “too emotional”, or “just anxious”. That’s why we’ve developed an assessment process that combines clinical expertise with genuine curiosity about each person’s lived experience.

Below, we’ve explained how our ADHD assessments align with the NICE guidelines—and how we bring those recommendations to life.

Please note that ADHD is always assessed in the context of autism in our service, but we follow both sets of guidelines, which overlap but do have some distinct areas.

Here’s the link for the NICE guidelines if you want to read through them in more detail: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87

How We Meet the NICE Guidelines for ADHD Assessment

NICE Guideline	How We Put This Into Practice
Recognising who may have ADHD (1.2.1)	NICE highlights that ADHD is more common in certain groups, including people born prematurely, children in care, adults who were previously looked after, and people with other mental health conditions. During our initial screening call, we explore these factors carefully so we can build a full picture from the very beginning.
Recognising ADHD in girls and women (1.2.2)	NICE recognises that girls and women are often overlooked, diagnosed later in life, or mistakenly diagnosed with anxiety, depression or other conditions first. Supporting girls and women is at the heart of our service. We understand the more internal presentation of ADHD and create space for people to describe experiences they may never have been asked about before.
Assessment by experienced ADHD clinicians (1.3.1)	Every assessment is completed by appropriately qualified clinicians with specialist expertise in ADHD. Every person we assess is seen by a Clinical Psychologist as part of our multidisciplinary assessment, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of both ADHD and the wider emotional, developmental and psychological picture.
Looking beyond questionnaires (1.3.2)	ADHD cannot be diagnosed from a questionnaire alone. While rating scales are helpful, they are only one part of the picture. We combine interviews, developmental history, clinical expertise and information from different settings to reach our conclusions. Every child in primary school has a school observation, and girls in secondary school are also seen by an Educational Psychologist to better understand how ADHD presents within the classroom and their internal experiences.
Using recognised diagnostic criteria (1.3.3)	We assess against the recognised DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, carefully considering how symptoms affect daily life across home, education, work and relationships. Diagnosis is never rushed—it is based on a thorough understanding of the whole person.
Understanding the whole person (1.3.4)	ADHD rarely exists in isolation. We explore emotional wellbeing, physical health, family relationships, education, work, strengths and any co-existing conditions. We don’t simply ask questions—we help people understand themselves. For children, we also consider parents’ and carers’ wellbeing, recognising that supporting the family benefits everyone.
Recognising how ADHD changes across the lifespan (1.3.5)	ADHD looks different at different ages. Whether we’re assessing a young child, a teenager, a university student, an adult or an older adult, we consider developmental stage, life experiences and the impact of hormonal changes throughout life.
Listening to children and young people (1.3.6)	We believe every child deserves to feel heard. We spend time getting to know each young person, understanding not only what others see but also what life feels like from their perspective. Their voice is central to the assessment process.
Supporting people after diagnosis (1.4.3)	An assessment shouldn’t end with a diagnosis. Everyone receives a personalised feedback appointment with their lead clinician. We explain the outcome, answer questions, discuss strengths and challenges, and help individuals and families understand what the diagnosis means for everyday life.
Providing personalised recommendations (1.4.4)	Every report includes practical, tailored recommendations based on the individual’s needs—not generic advice. We also provide carefully selected resources and signpost you towards further support where appropriate.
Supporting parents and carers	Parents often tell us that they need support too. During feedback sessions, we explore how ADHD has affected the family and discuss ways parents and carers can look after themselves as well as supporting their child.
Working with schools, colleges and universities (1.4.12)	Education plays a huge role in a child’s wellbeing. Our Educational Psychologists work closely with schools throughout the assessment process, and where appropriate we liaise with colleges and universities to ensure recommendations are realistic, practical and supportive—particularly during periods of transition.
Working alongside other professionals (1.4.13)	ADHD often overlaps with other health needs. With consent, we can work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals involved in a person’s care to ensure recommendations are joined up and person-centred.

More Than a Diagnosis

Following the NICE guidelines is important—but for us, it’s only the beginning.

An ADHD assessment should never feel like a checklist. It should be an opportunity to understand who someone is, why life has felt difficult, and what support will make the biggest difference going forward.

That’s why we take the time to get to know every individual. We explore their strengths as well as their challenges, helping them build a clearer understanding of themselves—not simply whether they meet diagnostic criteria.

For many of the girls and women we work with, this is the first time they’ve felt truly understood.

Whether we’re carrying out an ADHD assessment for a child, an ADHD assessment for a teenager, or an adult ADHD assessment, our goal is always the same: to provide a thorough, compassionate and evidence-based assessment that meets NICE guidelines while putting the individual at the centre of everything we do.

Because understanding yourself is about much more than receiving a diagnosis—it’s about knowing how to move forward with confidence.

If you'd like to explore an autism or AuDHD (autism and ADHD assessment) with us, book a screening call here.