ADHD Assessments

We understand that deciding to have an ADHD assessment can feel like a big step. Our aim is to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible, from your first enquiry through to receiving the outcome of your assessment.

Our assessments are delivered by appropriately qualified clinicians with extensive experience in assessing adults and who expertly combine professional expertise with a compassionate, person-centred approach.

Whether you’re looking for answers, seeking greater self-understanding, or ready to take the next step, we’re here to help guide and support you throughout your journey.

Needing an online assessment

Sometimes, you reach a point where things that have always felt different or difficult start to make more sense.

You may have wondered why concentrating, managing your time or staying organised feels harder than it seems to for others.

You may be asking yourself whether ADHD could explain some of these experiences.

Getting an online ADHD assessment can give you a clearer understanding of how you think and experience the world. For some people, it can provide an explanation for things they have struggled with for years. For others, an assessment can help rule out ADHD and identify other factors that may be contributing to their experiences.

Our online assessment service is designed to make the process straightforward, respectful and easy to understand.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect the way a person manages attention, activity levels and impulses.

ADHD can look different from one person to another. While some people may experience hyperactivity or impulsivity, others may mainly experience difficulties with attention, organisation or managing everyday tasks.

Adults with ADHD may experience things such as:

• Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
• Being easily distracted
• Forgetting appointments, tasks or important information
• Difficulty organising or prioritising
• Procrastinating, even when something is important
• Frequently starting projects but finding it difficult to finish them
• Feeling restless or finding it difficult to switch off
• Acting or speaking impulsively
• Difficulty managing time
• Becoming particularly focused on things that interest them

Having some of these experiences does not necessarily mean you have ADHD. Similar experiences can be associated with other conditions, life circumstances or changes in your mental health. An assessment looks at the wider picture.

Could I have ADHD?

There is no single experience that means someone has ADHD.

You may have recognised certain characteristics in yourself, read something online or spoken to someone who suggested that an assessment could be helpful.

It is natural to want answers. A professional assessment can look at your experiences in more detail and consider how they have affected different areas of your life. It can also consider other possible explanations for what you are experiencing.

You do not need to be certain that you have ADHD before seeking an assessment.

Why seek an ADHD assessment?

For many adults, the decision to seek an assessment comes after years of trying to understand why certain things feel more difficult than they seem to for other people.

An assessment may help you:

• Better understand your experiences
• Make sense of difficulties you have experienced throughout your life
• Understand your strengths as well as areas you may find challenging
• Identify strategies that may help
• Explain your needs to family, friends, employers or education providers
• Access appropriate support where available
• Understand what you can do next

An assessment does not define who you are. It is one way of gaining a better understanding of yourself.

ADHD: common misconceptions

1. “ADHD is just being easily distracted.” – ADHD can affect much more than attention. Adults may experience difficulties with organisation, time management, impulse control, motivation and managing everyday responsibilities.
2. “ADHD only affects children.” – ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. Many adults are diagnosed later in life, particularly if their difficulties were not recognised when they were younger.
3. “If I have a successful career, I can’t have ADHD.” – People with ADHD can have successful careers, relationships and family lives. Being successful in one area of life does not rule out having difficulties in another.
4. “I’m too old for a diagnosis.” – There is no upper age limit for an ADHD diagnosis. Some people reach adulthood without their differences being recognised. A diagnosis later in life can help you better understand yourself, your experiences and the support or adjustments that may be helpful.

Screening questionnaires

These can be useful for helping you think about your experiences, but a screening questionnaire cannot tell you whether you have ADHD.

Only a full clinical assessment can provide a diagnosis.

If you are considering an assessment, we will provide further information about the screening questionnaires used as part of our assessment pathway.

Who is our ADHD assessment service for?

Our assessment service is for adults (18+) who would like to explore whether they may have ADHD.

You do not need to have a previous diagnosis or referral from your GP to enquire about the service.

Before an assessment takes place, we will confirm that the service is appropriate for you and explain what you can expect.

Inclusion criteria:

• Adults aged 18 years and over
• Presenting for ADHD assessment
• Self-referral, GP, psychiatrist, psychologist or employer referrals accepted

Exclusion criteria:

• Acute mental illness requiring secondary care
• Diagnosis of a significant Learning Disability
• Significant history of self-harm and high risk of suicide
• Severe substance misuse preventing accurate assessment
• Under-18s

Please be assured that if you do not meet the criteria for an assessment, we will ensure you are referred to the appropriate services.

How does the online ADHD assessment work?

1. Make an enquiry – If you’re considering an assessment for ADHD, our team is here to help. Please enquire online.
2. Complete the initial information – You will be asked to provide some information about yourself and your reasons for seeking an assessment. This helps us understand your needs and determine whether the service is suitable.
3. Complete questionnaires – You will be asked to complete questionnaires about your experiences. These form part of the wider assessment and are not used on their own to make a diagnosis.
4. Meet your clinician – Your assessment will take place with an experienced clinician. You will have the opportunity to talk about your experiences, including your current circumstances and, where relevant, your life experiences. There is no need to prepare. Your clinician will guide you through the assessment and give you the opportunity to ask questions.
5. Receive your outcome – Following the assessment, your clinician will explain the outcome and what it means for you.

You will receive information about the next steps and any recommendations or support that may be appropriate. Next steps could involve medication but please be assured this will be discussed thoroughly with you.

What happens during an online assessment?

All of our ADHD assessments are delivered online, allowing you to speak with your clinician from somewhere that is comfortable and convenient for you.

You will need access to a suitable device, a reliable internet connection and a private space where you can speak openly.

Your clinician will explain each stage of the assessment and give you opportunities to ask questions.

Being assessed online does not mean you have to work everything out yourself. Your clinician will guide you through the process.

How long does an assessment take?

ADHD assessments take up to 75 minutes, inclusive of discussing next steps and treatment options.

How much does an assessment cost?

We believe you should have clear information about the cost of your assessment before you decide whether to proceed.

ADHD assessment: £850

Why choose Cygnet?

Choosing to have an assessment is a personal decision.

At Cygnet, our aim is to provide a professional service that is clear, accessible and focused on the individual.

You will be supported by experienced, qualified clinicians throughout the assessment process, with time to discuss your experiences, ask questions and understand the outcome.

As part of Cygnet, our private assessment and therapy service sits within an organisation with extensive experience of providing health and social care services across the UK.

What happens if I receive a diagnosis?

Receiving a diagnosis can bring a mixture of emotions. Some people feel relieved to have an explanation for experiences they have had throughout their lives. Others may have questions about what the diagnosis means for them or what happens next.

Your clinician will explain your diagnosis and discuss the recommendations arising from your assessment, including any medication needs.

A diagnosis is not the end of the process. It can be the starting point for understanding what works for you and identifying ways to make everyday life easier.

What if I don’t receive a diagnosis?

An assessment may conclude that you do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

This does not mean that your experiences or difficulties are not real.

Your clinician will explain the outcome and, where appropriate, discuss other factors that may be relevant and any recommendations for further support.

Is an assessment right for me?

The assessment could be the right step for you if:

• You want to avoid long waiting lists and a GP referral
• You’d prefer a flexible, online assessment that you can attend from home
• You’re seeking answers and professional support
• You want a written report to share with your GP, employer or other professionals if you choose

Some people choose a private assessment because they want to access an assessment outside the NHS pathway or because they want greater choice over when their assessment takes place.

Preparing for your assessment

There is no special test you need to revise for before an assessment. However, it can be helpful to think about what has led you to seek an assessment and the things you find difficult in everyday life. Your clinician will guide you through the process.

After your diagnosis

A diagnosis can leave you with lots of questions. You may want to learn more about ADHD, think about what the diagnosis means for you, or explore strategies that could help with things you find difficult.

Our post-diagnostic resources will provide information and signposting to further support.

There are a number of organisations that provide information, advice and support for people with ADHD and their families.

Ready to take the next step?

You can enquire online: Fill out our simple online enquiry form and a member of our team will get back to you shortly to discuss your options.

You do not need to have a referral from your GP and assessment can begin as soon as you are ready, often within a few days.

If you have questions, our team is here to help.

Frequently asked questions