How to prepare for your child’s ADHD assessment

Preparing for your child’s ADHD assessment is very similar to preparing for your own ADHD assessment, as many of the same steps are involved. Here we will talk you through everything you need to know before your child’s assessment, what to expect, and answer some common questions.

What a Children's ADHD Assessment Involves

1. Pre-Assessment Forms

After booking your child’s appointment with Mentalwell, you’ll receive access to our secure online portal. Here, you’ll be asked to complete several questionnaires that help our clinicians understand your child’s experiences, challenges, and overall development. This is to provide context before the assessment itself.

This will include:

• A background and developmental history form

• A well-being and risk assessment questionnaire

• Medical and mental health history

• Questionnaires that identify ADHD symptoms

• Teacher (third-party) informant questionnaire

How to prepare:

You do not need to prepare anything in advance to complete the forms; you can do so at your convenience before the booked appointment. It can be helpful to reflect on your child’s day-to-day challenges, strengths, and how long any symptoms have been present. It may also be useful to prepare for questions about any family history of ADHD or other mental health conditions, as well as any medication your child is currently taking.

Consider speaking with your child’s school ahead of time, as you may need teachers to provide supporting information. For example, requesting recent school reports or teacher feedback through a questionnaire can offer valuable insight and support your responses during the assessment process.

2. Video Conference Assessment

The assessment will take place via a secure Zoom call with a qualified Mentalwell clinician, which typically takes between 90 and 120 minutes. The clinician will take a detailed developmental and clinical history to determine whether your child meets diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

This may include:

• Your child’s current symptoms at home and in school

• Their early development, behaviour, and temperament

• Medical and family mental health history

• Academic history and social interactions

• Observations from teachers or other adults

How to prepare for your child's ADHD assessment:

Ensure your child is nearby if participating and that the environment is calm and quiet. Have a photo ID ready for verification. Prepare a list of your child’s current medications (if any) and gather any relevant documents, such as past assessments, school reports, or early developmental notes. Think of specific examples of challenges or behaviours that concern you. It can be useful to keep a notepad handy in case anything comes to mind during the appointment. Our assessments are made to be as straightforward as possible. With everything taking place from your own home, you can fill out the pre-assessment questionnaires in your own time, and the clinician will guide you through the online assessment.

What Happens After Your Child's Assessment?

Shortly after the assessment, within 7 working days, you will receive a written summary letter outlining the clinician’s findings, including whether a diagnosis of ADHD has been made. If your child is eligible and you’re interested in pursuing treatment, we’ll guide you through the next steps in our care pathway.