Specialist ADHD Assessments in North West London (NW6)
Gold Standard ADHD Assessments for Children, Young People & Over 18’s
We only offer Gold Standard Assessments following National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Psychiatrist Guidance and Standards. For Over 18s, we have recently reviewed our processes to meet and exceed ‘The adult ADHD assessment quality assurance standard’ (Adamou et al., 2024) to ensure we provide the highest quality ADHD assessment service.
What Is ADHD?
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. Symptoms usually manifest in childhood but often persist into adulthood.
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The signs of ADHD are broadly divided into three main categories.
1. Inattention
People with inattentive traits struggle to maintain focus, organize tasks, and follow details.
Poor Organization: Trouble keeping track of time, prioritizing tasks, or meeting deadlines.
Distractibility: Easily sidetracked by external noises or unrelated thoughts.
Forgetfulness: Frequently losing necessary items (keys, phones, paperwork) or forgetting appointments and daily chores.
Difficulty Finishing Tasks: Starting multiple projects but struggling to see them through to completion.
Listening Challenges: Often appearing to not listen when spoken to directly.
2. Hyperactivity
This involves excessive physical movement and a feeling of constant internal restlessness.
Fidgeting: Squirming in seats, or constantly tapping hands and feet.
Restlessness: Inability to sit still for long periods, especially in quiet or expected situations.
Excessive Talking: Speaking very quickly, loudly, or constantly.
Difficulty Relaxing: Finding it mentally and physically difficult to wind down or switch off, even when tired.
3. Impulsivity
Impulsive traits involve quick decision-making without considering the consequences or taking turns.
Interrupting Others: Frequently cutting into conversations, speaking out of turn, or finishing other people's sentences.
Impatience: Struggling to wait in lines or slow-moving traffic.
Emotional Dysregulation: Experiencing sudden mood swings, intense frustration, or a low tolerance for stress.
Types of ADHD
While individuals show a mix of traits, clinical diagnoses are usually broken down into three subtypes:
Predominantly Inattentive: Meets the criteria for inattention but not hyperactivity/impulsivity.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive: Meets the criteria for hyperactivity/impulsivity but not inattention.
Combined: Meets the criteria for both categories.
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Many people use the terms ADD and ADHD interchangeably, but they are not actually the same. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is an older, informal term that is now commonly used to describe one specific presentation of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive Type.
In summary:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, behaviour, and executive functioning.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is no longer recognised as an official medical diagnosis. However, the term is still widely used to refer to ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type, and its associated symptoms.
Since 1994, healthcare professionals have used the term ADHD to encompass both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations of the condition.
Despite this change in terminology, many parents, teachers, and adults continue to use the term “ADD” in everyday conversation.
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A QbCheck (or QbTest) is a computer-based assessment tool used by healthcare professionals to help diagnose and monitor ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). It is designed for individuals aged 6 to 60.
The check works by objectively measuring the three core symptoms of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Here is how the test works and how it is utilized:
How the Test Works
The Task: You sit in front of a computer or laptop and are shown a series of symbols on the screen. You are asked to press a button or spacebar only when a specific symbol appears.
The Measurement: While you take this 15- to 20-minute test, a webcam with facial recognition technology tracks your micro-movements to measure hyperactivity.
The Results: Your performance and movement data are compared against an age- and gender-matched control group of people both with and without ADHD.
How It Is Used
Diagnostic Aid: It is never used as a standalone test, but rather as objective, hard data to support a clinician’s diagnosis.
Treatment Tracking: It can be used to monitor how well a patient is responding to ADHD medication.
Administration: It can be taken either in-clinic or remotely from home (provided you have a reliable laptop with a built-in webcam).
For more information, you can explore the QbCheck ADHD Diagnosis page or the official Qbtech overview.
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The primary difference is that psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and treat severe mental illnesses, while psychologists hold doctoral degrees and focus primarily on psychotherapy, behavioral interventions, and psychological assessments without prescribing medication.
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ADHD Assessments at West Hampstead Child & Young Person Clinic are £1,000 and is inclusive of specialist questionnaires, appointments, feedback meeting(s) and report.
Our wait time is approximately between 3 - 8 weeks, depending on the clinician and time of year. Please get in touch if you would like an up to date wait time for an ADHD Assessment
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As a first step, we would suggest booking an initial 15-minute free consultation with a senior clinician. During this consultation, you’ll be able to discuss any presenting concerns and discuss options for the assessment.
Following the consultation, the admin team will be in touch to guide you through the process and arrange the assessment.
You can book an initial consultation here via the online link, or via telephone and email.
ADHD Assessments for Under 18’s
For under 18s, the clinician (Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, or Clinical Psychologist) will review detailed clinical forms from home and school that we have sent prior to the assessment.
The clinician will meet with you and your child both together and separately; if required, your child will complete a Qb Check. In the Feedback Session, the clinician will provide a diagnosis (if applicable), recommendations and collaboratively you will develop a plan. A Report will be provided.
Assessment Steps Under 18’s…
ADHD assessments here at the clinic are £1,000 and are inclusive of the following:
(Expandable Sections, press + for more information)
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We will send you and your child’s school key specialist mental health measures before your meeting and the Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist will review these before you meet.
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On the day you will first meet the Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist together with your child.
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The Consultant will then meet you (parents) on your own to allow you time to speak without your child being there.
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The Consultant will meet with your child on his/her/their own to get to know your child and to complete a Mental State Assessment.
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The child or young person will complete a Computerised Assessment looking at signs of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.
*(The QB Check is available as an optional add-on for an additional fee)
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At the end of the assessment period, your Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist will put the information together and provide any diagnoses that he/she thinks your child meets. You will agree together a Plan to take forward.
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You will receive a detailed Report with Recommendations.
We proudly tailor our assessments to the individual.
If you would like to add an Autism or Education Psychology Assessment, please visit the Neurodevelopment Assessments Page
We accept WPA and Aviva insurance for ADHD assessments. Please contact your insurer first to check whether the assessment is covered under your policy and whether this benefit applies to you.
ADHD Assessments for Over 18’s
For over 18s, the clinician (either a Psychiatrist, or Clinical Psychologist) will review detailed clinical forms that we have sent prior to the assessment. The clinician will meet with you and conduct a DIVA (a robust clinical interview tool). If required, you will also complete a QB Check (a specialist computerised assessment tool). The clinician will provide a diagnosis (if applicable), recommendations and collaboratively you will develop a plan. A report will be provided.
Assessment Steps for Over 18’s…
(Expandable Sections, press + for more information)
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We will send you key specialist mental health measures before your meeting and the Lead Clinician will review these before you meet.
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Either on one day for a long meeting (2-3 hours) or through a series of meetings, you will meet the Lead Clinician to consider the challenges you are presenting with. You may ask a parent to join you for some of this meeting to help report how you presented when younger.
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The Lead Clinician will use a standardised diagnostic interview schedule called the DIVA to inform the assessment.
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You will complete a Computerised Assessment looking at signs of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Your final report will include the outcomes of this assessment.
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At the end of the assessment period, your Lead Clinician will put the information together and provide any diagnoses that he/she thinks you meet. You will agree together a Plan to take forward.
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You will receive a detailed Report with Recommendations.
We proudly tailor our assessments to the individual.
If you would like to add an Autism or Education Psychology Assessment, please visit the Neurodevelopment Assessments Page
Meet the ADHD Assessment Team
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Julien
Dr Julien Edwards, Clinical Psychologist
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Ieehyok
Clinic Associate - Dr Ieeyok Woo, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
If you are seeking a private ADHD Assessment in West London for your child, contact us.
If you know which service you require, please contact us using the form and we will call you back and arrange the details.