The assessment and diagnosis of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) typically occur during school-age years
The Diagnostic criteria used by all Clinicians for ADHD are designed for school-aged children rather than earlier in childhood for several reasons:
ADHD symptoms may be developmentally appropriate in very young children. Young children often exhibit high levels of activity, impulsivity, and inattention as part of their normal development. These behaviours become more distinguishable from ADHD as children grow older and reach school age.
Observing a child’s behaviour in a structured school environment provides valuable context. The interaction with teachers, peers, and academic demands can help in determining whether the observed behaviours are consistent across different settings.
An ADHD diagnosis requires evidence of symptoms causing impairment in more than one area of life (e.g., school, home, social settings). Assessing children when they are in a structured school environment helps evaluate this impairment comprehensively.
Teachers can provide valuable information about a child’s behaviour and attention patterns in the classroom, which is an essential part of the diagnostic process.
And so assessing children for ADHD when they are in a school setting can provide a more accurate and reliable assessment due to the availability of multiple perspectives and a standardised environment for evaluation.
Thus we would only assess a child after they have completed at least one term of School
You will probably find other service that may tell you they will assess your child earlier and all I would suggest is that if this is the case that you are wary of this (As it would be out with the guidelines)
I would always strongly recommend ensuring that any service you go to is subject to independent regulation.
In Scotland, this would involve oversight by NHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland, while in England and Wales, it would be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Such regulatory measures ensure that clinicians possess the necessary qualifications and adhere to national standards of care.
As you may be aware, a prominent issue within the ADHD community pertains to the reluctance of other services to acknowledge a diagnosis if it originates from an unregulated source and in my opinion, this is absolutely fair. There are numerous unregulated services in the UK presently providing assessments, often with clinicians who might lack the necessary qualifications, training, or oversight. It’s advisable to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before making any decision as it’s a lot of money to spend, to then find out that the person who assessed you is unqualified to do so.
