Private ADHD Assessments at CADS Autism & ADHD for Children, Young People and Adults
Discover a Deeper Understanding of ADHD Assessments for children, young people and adults from our clinic near Market Harborough, supporting families across Leicestershire, surrounding counties and UK wide.
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At CADS Autism, we offer private comprehensive Gold Standard ADHD assessments for both children and adults. Our expert team (Clinical Psychologist, Speech & Language Therapist, and Mental Health Nurse/Psychotherapist are committed to providing thorough, compassionate evaluations that help you gain clarity about ADHD and find the support you need. Whether you're seeking answers for yourself or a loved one, we're here to guide you through every step of the assessment process.
ADHD assessments near Market Harborough
CADS is based near Market Harborough and supports families and adults across Leicestershire and surrounding areas who are seeking a private ADHD assessment. Many families contact us when they would like a clearer understanding of attention and regulation difficulties and practical guidance for moving forward. We are currently booking assessments for June 2026.
When to Consider an ADHD Assessment
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An ADHD assessment could be helpful if you or your child experience challenges such as:
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Difficulty concentrating or staying on task
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Impulsivity: Acting without thinking or making hasty decisions
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Hyperactivity: Difficulty staying still or feeling restless
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Disorganisation: Trouble planning, keeping track of tasks, and managing time
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Forgetfulness: Frequently losing items or forgetting appointments
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Social difficulties: Struggling with interactions or maintaining relationships due to attention or behaviour issues
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If you’re noticing these patterns, an ADHD assessment could help identify if ADHD is the cause and provide guidance on how to manage and support these behaviours.
ADHD Assessments at CADS
ADHD assessments at CADS are carried out by Dr Astrid van Wilsem (Clinical Psychologist), Tania Richards (Speech and Language Therapist) and Alex Centurion Eyre (Mental Health Nurse and Psychotherapist) using a gold-standard, multidisciplinary approach.
The ADHD Assessment Process (Child and Adult)
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Step 1: Initial Assessment Form filled out by parents, carers or the client if over age 18
Step 2: Full Diagnostic Assessment
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If further evaluation is needed, we proceed with a full diagnostic assessment, typically completed within 4-6 weeks. This stage includes:
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Behavioural assessments using tools like the SNAP 4 Rating Scale or the ASRSv1.1 Rating Scale. Our Clinical Psychologist will administer the Young Diva. which is based on the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD for young people aged 5-17 years. For adults the DIVA (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults), is used. Both interviews are widely used in the clinical diagnosis of ADHD.
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Developmental history to understand the long-term pattern of behaviours and challenges
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Observation and parent/teacher/relative questionnaires to gather a holistic view of behaviour across settings
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Review of previous professional reports (if applicable)
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Multidisciplinary Team Meeting (30 mins) which includes both clinicians and our Mental Health Nurse, Alex Centurion-Eyre, Specialist High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CYP) and Registered Mental Health Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist Neurodevelopment)
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This thorough process ensures we have a complete picture of ADHD-related behaviours and the context in which they occur.
Clinical standards
Our assessments follow recognised national guidance and are completed by registered healthcare professionals. Information is gathered from developmental history, structured assessment activities and everyday settings to ensure conclusions are based on a full understanding of the individual’s needs.
What to Expect from Your ADHD Assessment at CADS Autism
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We want the ADHD assessment process to be as smooth and informative as possible. Here’s what you can expect:
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Part 1: Initial Screening
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Duration: 30 minutes if required
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Focus: Discussing presenting issues, developmental history, and screening for other conditions
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Outcome: Determining if a full ADHD assessment is needed
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Part 2: Full Diagnostic Assessment
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Duration: Carried out using 2 part assessment consisting of a 90 mins- 2 hours interview for parents/adult and relative and observation typically 45 minutes-1 hour.
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Focus: In-depth evaluations using behavioural, developmental, and observational assessments
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Outcome: A comprehensive understanding of ADHD symptoms and their impact, along with a formal diagnosis (if applicable)
Who might consider an ADHD assessment for a child?
Families often consider an ADHD assessment when everyday life feels more difficult than expected despite support, structure and encouragement. Many parents describe their child as bright, curious or creative, but struggling to manage attention, organisation or emotional regulation in ways that affect learning or home life.
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Some children find it hard to remain focused on tasks that require sustained attention, particularly when they are not immediately engaging. They may start activities enthusiastically but struggle to finish them, lose track of instructions, or forget what they were about to do. Others appear constantly on the go, talkative, impulsive, or act before thinking, even when they are trying their best to follow rules.
Difficulties may be more noticeable in certain environments. For example, school may report distractibility, unfinished work or difficulty waiting their turn, while at home parents may notice emotional outbursts, frustration, bedtime struggles or exhaustion after a day of concentrating. Some children work very hard to cope during the school day and release tension once they feel safe at home.
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Parents sometimes wonder whether their child is simply energetic, sensitive or immature, and many try a wide range of strategies before seeking advice. An assessment may be helpful when these patterns have been present over time and are beginning to affect learning, friendships, confidence or family wellbeing.
The purpose of assessment is not to label behaviour, but to understand how your child’s attention and self-regulation develop, and to identify practical ways to support them both at home and in school.
What Families Say About CADS
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"We are incredibly grateful for the support and care we received from Tania and Astrid at CADS Autism during our child’s recent ADHD and autism assessment. After facing a long wait for support elsewhere, we decided to pursue a private assessment and are so glad we did. The process was thorough, professional, and handled with real sensitivity, which made a potentially stressful experience much easier for our family.
We felt listened to and reassured throughout, and the kindness and understanding shown to both our child and us as parents meant a great deal. The assessment was explained clearly, and the outcome gave us the clarity and confidence we needed to move forward. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this service to other families seeking timely, compassionate support. Thank you again Tania and Astrid." (parent of 16 year old daughter)
ADHD Assessments at CADS (Child & Young Person)
Our child ADHD assessments aim to understand how your child manages attention, activity level and impulse control in everyday life, rather than focusing on behaviour in a single situation. We look at patterns across home and school because many children experience different levels of demand in different environments.
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The assessment includes a detailed developmental history with parents or carers, questionnaires and information from school, and a structured clinical discussion. We explore areas such as attention, listening, organisation, emotional regulation, transitions and relationships with peers and adults. This helps us understand not only where a child may be finding things difficult, but also where their strengths lie.
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We recognise that many children try very hard to meet expectations and may feel frustrated when they cannot manage tasks that appear easy for others. The purpose of the assessment is to understand how your child’s brain processes attention and self-regulation, so that support can be better matched to their needs both at home and in school.
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The process is conversational and supportive, and parents and children are encouraged to ask questions throughout.
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CADS provides gold-standard private ADHD assessments, which are accepted by the NHS.
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The ADHD assessment pathway includes:
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Detailed developmental and clinical history
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Structured ADHD interview (e.g. Young DIVA for children and adolescents)
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Standardised rating scales (home, school, or self-report)
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Direct observation and clinical interview
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Multidisciplinary diagnostic review
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After the assessment
Following the assessment, you will receive a detailed written report and we arrange a feedback discussion to explain the findings clearly and to talk through what they mean for your child. We take time to answer questions and to ensure you understand how conclusions have been reached.
Our report outlines your child’s strengths, areas of difference and practical recommendations for home and school. The report can be shared with school to help staff understand your child’s needs and to support appropriate adjustments and strategies. The assessment report can be shared with your GP and other services to support ongoing care and adjustments.
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If ADHD is identified, we will discuss next steps and possible pathways. Some families choose to explore medical advice through their GP or paediatric services, while others focus on environmental adjustments and supportive strategies. We can guide you on available options so you can decide what feels right for your child and family.
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Even when diagnostic criteria are not met, families still receive a clear explanation of their child’s profile and helpful recommendations. Many parents find that understanding why certain situations are difficult allows them to support their child with greater confidence and reduces worry for both parent and child.
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Medication
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CADS does not prescribe medication directly. If families wish to pursue medication via the NHS, private diagnostic reports are reviewed and it is at the GP’s discretion whether to refer onto the medication pathway. CADS also works in partnership with an external prescribing service for individuals aged 11 years and over, should private prescribing be preferred.
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Who might consider an adult ADHD assessment?
Adults seek assessment for many different reasons, and often after a long period of uncertainty. Some have wondered for years whether their experiences have an underlying explanation, while others begin to explore ADHD after a child or family member is identified.
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You might consider an assessment if you have noticed long-standing patterns such as difficulty maintaining attention, starting or finishing tasks, managing time, or organising everyday activities despite making considerable effort. Some adults describe feeling constantly busy but rarely on top of things, frequently misplacing items, or needing deadlines and pressure in order to focus.
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Others notice mental restlessness, racing thoughts, impulsive decision-making, or becoming easily overwhelmed by multiple demands. Many report cycles of overworking followed by exhaustion or burnout, particularly in education or employment. Difficulties are often more noticeable during life transitions, such as moving to higher education, starting work, or managing a household.
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Some adults have previously been treated for anxiety or low mood but feel this has not fully explained their experiences. For others, learning about ADHD helps make sense of lifelong challenges with concentration, planning, emotional regulation or sensory overload.
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An assessment may be helpful if these patterns have been present for many years and are affecting daily life, wellbeing, relationships or work. The purpose is not to apply a label unnecessarily, but to understand your individual profile and consider supportive next steps where appropriate.
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Adult ADHD Assessments
Many adults seek an ADHD assessment after years of feeling that everyday tasks require significantly more effort than they do for other people. Some have always experienced difficulties with organisation, time management, attention or overwhelm but may have coped academically or professionally by working extremely hard, often at the cost of exhaustion or anxiety.
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An adult ADHD assessment looks at patterns across your life rather than only your current situation. We explore early development, education, work, routines, attention, impulsivity and emotional regulation, as well as how you manage daily demands such as planning, prioritising and maintaining focus. Wherever possible, we also consider information from earlier life (for example school reports or family observations), as ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition.
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The assessment involves a detailed clinical interview and recognised assessment tools and questionnaires. The aim is not to judge performance but to understand how your brain processes attention and organisation in real life situations, including areas of strength as well as difficulty.
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Many adults report that the process itself is helpful, as it provides an opportunity to make sense of long-standing experiences and consider practical ways forward.
ADHD Adult Assessment Pathway
The ADHD assessment pathway includes:
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Detailed developmental and clinical history
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Structured ADHD interview (e.g. DIVA for adults)
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Standardised rating scales (self-report, family/partner/friends)
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Direct observation and clinical interview
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Multidisciplinary diagnostic review
After the assessment
Following the assessment you will receive a detailed written report, followed by a feedback discussion explaining the outcome in clear terms. Whether or not diagnostic criteria are met, we take time to talk through the findings and answer questions so that you understand how the conclusions were reached.
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The report outlines strengths, areas of difference and practical recommendations for day-to-day life, education or work. Where appropriate, the report can be shared with your GP and may support reasonable adjustments in higher education or employment.
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If ADHD is identified, we will also explain next steps and available options. Some adults choose to discuss medical management with their GP or a psychiatrist, while others focus on environmental adjustments and strategies. We can guide you on possible pathways so you can decide what feels appropriate for you.
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Many people find that understanding their profile, even before making any further decisions, provides significant reassurance and clarity.
Medication
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CADS does not prescribe medication directly. If families wish to pursue medication via the NHS, private diagnostic reports are reviewed and it is at the GP’s discretion whether to refer onto the medication pathway. CADS also works in partnership with an external prescribing service for individuals aged 11 years and over, should private prescribing be preferred.
Why Choose CADS Autism for Your ADHD Assessment?
Comprehensive, Holistic Assessments
We take a thorough approach to ADHD assessments, evaluating not just attention and focus but also the broader aspects of daily living like social interactions. Our goal is to understand the full picture of how ADHD affects you or your loved one, ensuring that we can provide personalised recommendations and support. Our blogs may be a helpful read.
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Neuro-Affirming, Individual-Focused Approach
At CADS Autism, we understand that ADHD is a part of the neurodiversity spectrum. We celebrate each individual's unique strengths and challenges. Our assessments are designed to provide a deeper understanding of ADHD, focusing on the strengths and skills that can be nurtured for success.
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Expert Clinicians with Experience You Can Trust
Our team consists of experienced, qualified clinicians who are dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care. We understand the challenges ADHD can present and are here to signpost you to the support you or your loved one might need to thrive.
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Clear, Actionable Reports
Our detailed assessments are designed to be clear, practical, and easy to understand. We provide comprehensive reports with actionable recommendations, giving you a roadmap for the best possible interventions and support strategies.
Not sure whether to refer?
You are not alone.
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Most people who contact us are not certain whether they are looking at autism, ADHD, or both. Many families worry they must first “work it out” before making contact. You do not. In fact, trying to decide alone is often the hardest part.
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At CADS, the first step is not booking an assessment. The first step is understanding whether an assessment would be helpful and which pathway would be most appropriate.
Benefits of an ADHD Assessment at CADS Autism
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Choosing CADS Autism means choosing a team that’s committed to providing the best possible care. Here’s what you can expect from our ADHD assessments:
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Accurate diagnosis: Clear understanding of whether ADHD is the right diagnosis and the most effective support options
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Clear recommendations: Tailored, practical strategies for managing ADHD symptoms and behaviours
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Experienced clinicians: Our team has the expertise to diagnose ADHD and provide actionable advice for treatment
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Holistic understanding: We consider all aspects of life, from - to social skills and emotional well-being
What Our Clients Say
