Do you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD? Waiting years for an NHS assessment is not your only option. A private ADHD assessment London can provide answers within weeks rather than years. This gives you the clarity and support you need to move forward. At Abbey Wood Hospital’s Neurodevelopmental Centre, our experienced specialists provide comprehensive assessments for both adults and children. We follow NICE guidelines to ensure your diagnosis is recognised by the NHS and your GP.
In This Article
This guide explains how private ADHD assessments work, what the process involves for adults and children, the costs you can expect, and how to access post-diagnostic support.
Why Choose a Private ADHD Assessment?
The demand for ADHD assessments in the UK has reached unprecedented levels. According to NHS England data, an estimated 2.5 million people in England have ADHD. Yet up to 700,000 people are currently waiting for assessment. In some areas, NHS waiting lists have grown to between two and eight years. Many individuals struggle without diagnosis or support during this time.
A private ADHD assessment London offers several advantages over the NHS pathway. You can typically access an assessment within two to four weeks rather than waiting years. All assessments follow the same NICE guidelines used by the NHS. This means your diagnosis will be recognised by your GP for ongoing care. You also receive a comprehensive report to share with employers, schools and healthcare providers.
Research from Healthwatch England found that receiving an ADHD diagnosis is life-changing for many people. It helps them understand why they have struggled with certain aspects of life. It also opens doors to effective treatment and support strategies. The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can access these benefits.
Adult ADHD Assessment: What to Expect
Many adults discover they have ADHD later in life. This often happens after recognising symptoms in themselves while researching the condition for their child. ADHD in adults can present differently than in children. Hyperactivity often manifests as internal restlessness rather than physical overactivity.
Common Signs of Adult ADHD
Adults with ADHD may struggle with time management and organisation. They often find it difficult to maintain focus during meetings or complete tasks. Impulsivity in decision-making is common. Many adults report difficulty following through on projects and frequently losing important items. You can learn more about the rising trend of adult ADHD diagnosis in the UK.
The Assessment Process
The adult assessment process at Abbey Wood Hospital begins when you contact our team to book your appointment. We send you two questionnaires to complete before your assessment. The first is a detailed self-report form. The second should be completed by someone who knows you well, ideally from before you were 12 years old. This could be a parent, sibling or partner who can provide insight into your developmental history.
Your private ADHD assessment London appointment lasts approximately 80 minutes. During this session, our specialist reviews your completed questionnaires. They conduct a comprehensive clinical interview exploring your symptoms, developmental history, and social functioning. The assessment also considers any coexisting conditions. We follow NICE quality standards for adult ADHD diagnosis. We use validated rating scales and structured diagnostic criteria.
Video or In-Person Assessment
There is no difference in quality between video call and in-person assessments. We may request an in-person appointment if clinically necessary. Many adults find video assessments convenient. This is particularly true for those with busy work schedules or who live further from our North London clinic.
Child and Adolescent Assessment Pathway
For children and young people, our neurodevelopmental pathway begins with an initial virtual consultation. This free triage conversation lasts 15 to 30 minutes. It helps our team understand your child’s needs. We then recommend the most appropriate assessment pathway. This could be ADHD assessment, autism assessment, a combined assessment, or referral to another service.
Before the Assessment
Once you decide to proceed, our team determines the necessary questionnaires. We also decide whether the assessment should take place virtually or in person. Before the assessment, we ask you to provide any relevant reports. These might come from educational psychologists, speech therapists or paediatricians who have worked with your child.
The pre-assessment questionnaires for children include the Child Development Questionnaire and School Functioning Questionnaire. We also use the Social Responsiveness Scale-2. Where applicable, we include Conner’s Questionnaires for ADHD. For children aged eight and above, we add the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale. This helps us assess for coexisting conditions.
The Assessment Day
Consultant Paediatricians or CAMHS Consultants conduct child assessments. All have expertise in neurodevelopmental conditions. The assessment typically lasts around two hours. We usually provide feedback on the same day. Our team uses clinical observations alongside ICD-11 and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. This determines whether your child meets the criteria for ADHD, autism or both.
Private ADHD Assessment Costs
We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our private ADHD assessment London costs are competitive compared to the UK average of £1,267 for private assessments. We provide comprehensive, specialist-led evaluations at accessible prices.
Adult Assessment Fees
Adult ADHD or autism assessment costs £800 for in-person appointments. Video call assessments cost £750. This includes the full 80-minute assessment session and review of your pre-assessment questionnaires. You also receive a detailed diagnostic report. The cost of your first prescription is included if medication is appropriate.
Child and Adolescent Assessment Fees
ADHD assessment costs £990. This includes the comprehensive evaluation, same-day feedback and detailed report.
Autism assessment costs £2,100. This includes both the ADI-R diagnostic interview and ADOS-2 observational assessment. These represent the gold standard in autism diagnosis.
Combined ADHD and autism assessment costs £2,800. This offers a thorough evaluation of both neurodevelopmental conditions for children who may have both.
Additional assessment options include general developmental assessment at £990 and learning assessment at £900. Language assessment costs £450 for children over five or £350 for children under five. Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) assessment costs £500.
Post-Diagnostic Support Costs
Following diagnosis, various support services are available. Psychology assessment costs £150 for initial appointments and £100 for reviews. Speech and language therapy sessions cost £110 individually. You can purchase a block of six sessions for £600.
Occupational therapy assessment costs £500 for initial appointments and £125 for reviews. Blocks of six sessions cost £700. We also offer post-diagnostic parent workshops at £200 for autism and £150 for ADHD.
Review assessments cost £250. Repeat prescriptions cost £50. Our physical check package costs £595. This includes height, weight, ECG, vital signs and blood tests.
What Happens After Your Assessment
After your private ADHD assessment London, our specialist discusses the findings with you directly. If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, we explain what this means. We outline the treatment options available to you. Our team prepares a comprehensive report within three to four weeks. We can arrange expedited reports if you need them sooner. We recommend reading your report before sharing it with your GP.
Medication and Treatment
If medication is appropriate, our specialist may prescribe it during the initial visit or shortly after. Your assessment fee includes the first prescription cost. Starting medication typically requires one to three follow-up appointments. This process, called titration, optimises your dosage.
Before prescribing any medication, we may need to conduct health checks. These include blood pressure, height, weight and pulse measurements. If you have a family history of heart conditions, we may require additional tests. These could include blood tests and an ECG.
Ongoing Prescriptions
When your dosage is stable, we can issue repeat prescriptions. We process prescriptions within approximately one week. We send them to our pharmacy, who contacts you regarding cost and delivery. Our specialists explain any possible side effects. We provide information leaflets with your prescription.
Support for Children
For children diagnosed with autism, we offer a multidisciplinary autism information workshop. We can provide ongoing support through speech and language therapy, clinical psychology and occupational therapy. We also provide information about local support groups and charities.
Understanding Shared Care Agreements
A shared care agreement allows your GP to take over prescribing your ADHD medication. This happens once your dosage is stable. This arrangement can make ongoing treatment more convenient and affordable. You may be able to access your medication through NHS prescriptions rather than private prescriptions.
Before You Book
Before booking a private ADHD assessment London, we recommend discussing shared care with your GP. Your GP must provisionally agree to the arrangement before you proceed. Under a shared care agreement, we formally refer you to your GP once your medication dosage is stable. Your GP then manages your prescriptions. However, you remain under specialist care and should attend regular reviews.
Important Considerations
Your GP has the right to decline prescribing. This may happen if they lack necessary information to monitor treatment safely. It may also occur if there are concerns about adherence. If we discharge you from specialist care, the shared care agreement will no longer be valid.
These practices align with guidelines from the General Medical Council, NHS England and the British Medical Association. If your GP cannot enter into a shared care agreement, you can continue receiving prescriptions privately through our service.
Meet Your Specialist Team
Our Neurodevelopmental Centre comprises highly experienced professionals. All have extensive experience diagnosing neurodevelopmental conditions within both the private sector and NHS. Our team embraces a neuroaffirmative approach. We honour the unique strengths of neurodivergent individuals. We conduct thorough assessments that consider both strengths and areas of need.
Our Lead Specialist
Dr Ibrahim Yahli leads the service. He is a Consultant Psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD and autism assessment. Dr Yahli is known for his compassionate approach to complex cases. He delivers high-quality care following NICE guidelines.
The Wider Team
Our team also includes Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatricians, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Psychologists and Occupational Therapists. They provide comprehensive post-diagnostic support. All assessments are conducted by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals with specialist training in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Our diagnoses are recognised by the NHS. You can use your report to access support through your GP, employer or educational institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I wait for a private ADHD assessment?
At Abbey Wood Hospital, you can typically access a private ADHD assessment London within two to four weeks of booking. This compares to NHS waiting times that can extend to several years in many areas.
Will my GP accept a private ADHD diagnosis?
Yes. Our assessments follow NICE guidelines (NG87). Qualified specialists conduct all assessments. Your diagnosis will be documented in a comprehensive report. You can share this with your GP for ongoing care and shared care agreements.
Do I need a GP referral for a private assessment?
No GP referral is required for a private assessment. However, we recommend discussing shared care arrangements with your GP before booking. This is particularly important if you anticipate needing medication. It will streamline your ongoing treatment.
What is the difference between ADHD and autism assessments?
ADHD and autism are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions. They can co-occur in the same person. ADHD primarily affects attention, hyperactivity and impulse control. Autism affects social communication and involves restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Our combined assessment package evaluates both conditions thoroughly. This is useful when there is uncertainty about which condition may be present.
Can adults receive an ADHD diagnosis without a childhood diagnosis?
Absolutely. Many adults with ADHD were not diagnosed in childhood. This is particularly true for women whose symptoms may have been overlooked. ADHD is a developmental condition that begins in childhood. However, diagnosis can occur at any age. Our adult assessments include gathering information about childhood symptoms. Family members complete questionnaires to provide this information.
What support is available after diagnosis?
Following diagnosis, our team offers comprehensive post-diagnostic support. This includes medication management, parent workshops, speech and language therapy, clinical psychology and occupational therapy. We can also provide letters for employers or educational institutions. These support requests for reasonable adjustments. For those experiencing related challenges, we provide specialist support for conditions like ADHD-related skin picking and dermatillomania management strategies.
How does ADHD affect relationships?
ADHD and autism can both affect interpersonal relationships in various ways. Understanding your neurodevelopmental profile can help you and your loved ones. You can develop strategies for better communication and connection. Read our guide on neurodiversity and relationships for more information.
Book Your Private ADHD Assessment
If you are experiencing symptoms of ADHD or suspect your child may have ADHD or autism, a private assessment can provide the answers you need. You do not have to wait years for clarity and support. Our experienced team at Abbey Wood Hospital’s Neurodevelopmental Centre is ready to help. We can guide you on your journey to understanding and managing your neurodevelopmental profile.
Contact Abbey Wood Hospital at Page Street, Mill Hill, London NW7 2ED. We are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm at weekends. Call 020 8358 7100 or book an appointment online to arrange your assessment.
This article provides general health information and does not constitute medical advice. ADHD and autism assessments should be conducted by qualified healthcare professionals. Please consult a specialist for diagnosis and treatment recommendations tailored to your individual needs.