We know the journey to getting an assessment can be long and stressful. Wait times can cause anxiety and distress for you and your family. We understand that a diagnosis or a non-diagnosis can produce mixed emotions for both individuals and their families. 

There are several different stages as part of your ADHD assessment process. The assessment takes approximately 3-4 hours in total; however, we administer your assessment in different components as below.

·  Pre-assessment questionnaires

Our secure system will send you some different questionnaires to complete about your history, strengths and challenges. We will also ask you for details of someone who knows you well such as a relative, partner or close friend to provide some information too. Information gathered from questionnaires is reviewed and analysed by our clinical team before your assessment.

·  Case history interview

Your clinician will complete a phone call with you to gather information on the development, behaviour, and skills since birth. The call systematically covers your developmental history but will also cover your medical, psychiatric and educational history. Some individuals may feel comfortable with having a familiar person with them who knew them during early childhood such as a parent/carer or sibling to provide more information on their early life. This appointment is approximately 1 hour.

·  QbCheck (if indicated or requested)

QbCheck is a reliable computer-based test designed to objectively measure and assess various aspects of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. It is administered remotely using your computer’s web browser and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Our support team will send you detailed instructions and a voucher code to remotely access the QbCheck test. 

·  ADHD Observational Interview

Your clinician will arrange a convenient time and day for an online video session using Microsoft Teams with you. You are welcome to have somebody with you for this appointment. The clinician will ask you questions relating to various daily living elements and focus on ADHD characteristics, usually lasting up to 90 minutes. The clinician will also ask you about additional topics such as your sleep, mental health and behaviour during this session. In addition to gathering information from you, the clinician will make observations on how you present during the session. 

We complete the majority of these appointments online; however, we can offer face-to-face appointments in South Manchester. There are many benefits to online assessments, including reduced change of routine, being in a familiar and comfortable environment, reduced communication demand with an online call, and no travel required. We can provide support and strategies to help you access the appointment online if this is something you think you will find difficult. We understand that you might find it difficult to engage in the session, so you are welcome to take regular movement breaks throughout the session.

·  Feedback and report

After the assessment sessions, the clinician will agree on an appropriate outcome based on all the information and evidence from all components of the assessment as well as the diagnostic criteria from the DSM-V-TR. On occasion, we may request additional information from you to help with formulating an outcome. The clinician will arrange a phone appointment with you to give the outcome, provide a summary of the overall assessment and provide suggestions for appropriate strategies or interventions that may be beneficial. A comprehensive, detailed assessment report will be shared with you within two weeks of your feedback phone call. You are welcome to have somebody with you for this appointment. This appointment is typically 30-45 minutes.

Local Authority Guidance: Any ADHD assessment carried out by The Owl Centre's team complies fully with the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Clinical Excellence). However, some local authorities prefer to carry out the ADHD assessments themselves. Therefore, clients should contact their local health authority to discuss this before making a booking with us.

Assessment Duration: An ADHD assessment usually takes between 3-6 weeks to complete.

If you are considering medication, we will place you on our short waiting list. Our team will review your information as additional information or further investigations may be required before we can start medication. We will inform you if this is required and ask your GP to provide information.

We understand this can feel frustrating for some as it might mean a longer wait; however, your safety is our utmost priority, and we must ensure that medication can be safely administered. We also advise you to discuss medication with your GP before as we will request that your GP takes over the 'shared care' for repeat prescribing when you are stabilised. Your GP does not need to accept this request.

Shortly before your first titration (medication) appointment, you will be asked to provide information such as your height, weight, blood pressure and heart rate. You will receive a blood pressure monitor from us before you are asked to do this. You will be sent a date and time for the titration appointment. This appointment will be done in an online session on Microsoft Teams with one of our prescribing team. Your prescriber will discuss medication options and talk you through your medication. They will arrange regular follow-up appointments to check your progress. You will need to provide measurements before each appointment.

When it is felt that you are stabilised on your ADHD medication, we will ask your GP to accept shared care, meaning that they continue prescribing your medication; however, we will need to complete yearly reviews with you. If your GP rejects our request for shared care, we can continue to issue monthly prescriptions; however, we will still need to complete yearly reviews with you to monitor your medication.

Includes pre-screening questionnaires, developmental history interview, clinical observation interview, feedback session & comprehensive report with advice, strategies and recommendations.

Includes pre-screening questionnaires, developmental history interview, clinical observation interview, feedback session, QbCheck assessment & comprehensive report with advice, strategies and recommendations.

Includes pre-screening questionnaires, developmental history interview, clinical observation interview, feedback session & comprehensive report with advice, strategies and recommendations. The assessment will be delivered in one day.

Includes pre-screening questionnaires, developmental history interview, clinical observation interview, feedback session, QbTest assessment & comprehensive report with advice, strategies and recommendations. The assessment will be delivered in one day.

Includes blood pressure monitor, up to five titration appointments with a designated prescriber to discuss and review medication, issue and distribution of prescriptions, medication letters to your GP and shared care documentation.

Additional titration appointment to review medication (if needed in additional to medication titration package). This appointment may include the issue of a prescription and appointment letter to your GP.

If you already have a diagnosis of ADHD & want to start medication, this is an initial consultation to review your diagnosis & discuss medication options. Please note we will require evidence of a formal diagnosis and information from your GP.

Includes an appointment to review your progress and efficacy of your medication. We will write a letter to your GP to inform them & will advise of any management plan changes. Please note that changes to medication will require a new titration package.

If shared care is refused by your GP, we can issue monthly prescriptions to you.