What to expect from a private ADHD assessment

Never been through the process before? Here's exactly what happens from first contact to receiving your report — so you can walk in prepared.

One of the biggest barriers to seeking a private ADHD assessment is simply not knowing what you're signing up for. The process varies slightly between clinics, but most follow a broadly similar structure. Here's what to expect at each stage.

Step 1: The initial enquiry and self-referral

Most private ADHD clinics accept self-referrals — you don't need a GP letter to get started. You'll usually complete an online intake form covering your main concerns, any previous diagnoses or mental health history, and basic demographic information.

Step 2: Pre-assessment preparation

Before your assessment appointment, you'll typically receive a comprehensive questionnaire to complete in your own time. This covers your current symptoms, how they affect your daily life, your childhood and education, your work and relationship history, and any other mental health conditions or concerns.

Step 3: The clinical assessment appointment

This is the main event. For most clinics, the assessment is a structured clinical interview lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. It's conducted by a psychiatrist, specialist nurse, or clinical psychologist.

• ✓Review of your pre-assessment questionnaire responses
• ✓Detailed exploration of your current ADHD symptoms and their impact
• ✓Developmental history — looking at whether symptoms were present in childhood
• ✓Psychiatric history, including any previous diagnoses or treatments
• ✓Differential diagnosis discussion — ruling out other conditions that can present similarly

Step 4: The outcome and report

Some clinics will give you a provisional outcome at the end of the assessment appointment. Others will take a few days to prepare their findings. Either way, you'll receive a written report.

"A good report is detailed enough that your GP can use it to prescribe medication and refer for further support. Ask the clinic what their report includes before you book."

Step 5: What happens after diagnosis

If medication is recommended, the process varies. Some clinics offer medication titration as part of their service. Others will write to your GP with a recommendation, and your GP can initiate prescribing under a shared care agreement.