Independently regulated.
ADHD Direct Ltd is regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the GMC and the NMC - the same regulatory standards applied to NHS-equivalent specialist care. We are also registered with the RCGP, RCN and MDDUS.
A careful, evidence-based ADHD assessment for children and young people aged 6 to 17 - considering the whole child, not just their behaviour.
ADHD Direct Ltd is regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the GMC and the NMC - the same regulatory standards applied to NHS-equivalent specialist care. We are also registered with the RCGP, RCN and MDDUS.
We understand that many families come to assessment after months or years of concern, uncertainty or frustration. Sometimes difficulties are very visible. Sometimes they are quieter, masked or misunderstood.
Specialist appointments available online to families across the whole of the UK, or in person at our Glasgow clinic.
"Our role is to provide a careful, evidence-based assessment that considers the whole child, not just their behaviour."
It is not caused by poor parenting, lack of discipline, laziness or a child simply "not trying hard enough". ADHD can affect many areas of a child's life.
Difficulty staying focused on tasks, especially when interest fades.
Movement, fidgeting or finding it hard to stay seated.
Acting or responding without pausing first.
Feelings shifting quickly, sometimes more intensely than peers.
Tasks taking far longer than they "should" do.
Difficulty navigating peer relationships or fitting in.
A growing sense of "I can't do this" that doesn't match capability.
Daily friction, conflict or feeling misunderstood at home.
Some children are visibly hyperactive or impulsive. Others may appear quiet, anxious, daydreamy, perfectionistic or overwhelmed. Some children manage to hold things together at school but become exhausted or dysregulated at home.
A good assessment helps to understand the pattern properly.
An assessment may be worth considering if your child has persistent difficulties across home, school or social settings. Parents often describe concerns such as:
These difficulties do not automatically mean a child has ADHD. They can also occur with anxiety, autism, trauma, sleep problems, learning difficulties, sensory differences, family stress, physical health problems or other developmental needs.
This is why a full clinical assessment is important.
Some children, particularly girls and some quieter-presenting boys, may not show the loud or disruptive presentation that people often associate with ADHD. They may appear polite, capable or well behaved at school, while privately struggling.
Our assessments consider these patterns carefully.
Start with ADHD screeningYou answer for your child based on what you've noticed at home and at school. Private to your device. Not a diagnosis - a starting point.
Actually here for yourself? Take the adult ADHD Check
Think about the past 6 months. For each statement, choose the answer that best describes how you've felt and conducted yourself.
Answer all 18 questions to see your result.
For each statement, choose the answer that best describes your child. Think about how they've been across the past 6 months.
Answer all 26 questions to see the result.
We'll email it to you (and only you) right now.
At ADHD Direct, we believe ADHD should be understood within the context of the whole child and their family. During assessment, we consider:
The aim is not simply to decide whether ADHD is present. The aim is to understand what your child needs in order to feel safer, better understood and better supported.
ADHD Direct provides specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support for ADHD and related neurodevelopmental needs. We are a whole-person service - we consider the child's physical health, mental health, development, family life, education and wider wellbeing, rather than focusing only on symptoms.
Our team includes clinicians with experience across ADHD, mental health, general medicine, paediatrics and neurodevelopmental care.
We aim to help children and families move forward with clarity, confidence and a better understanding of what support is needed.
We aim to make the assessment process calm, supportive and child-friendly.
Online forms and questionnaires gather context.
Before the assessment, parents or carers complete online forms and questionnaires. These help your clinician understand your child's symptoms, development, health, school functioning and family context before the appointment.
Where appropriate, we may also request information from school, nursery or another professional involved in your child's care. This helps us understand whether difficulties are present across different settings.
A specialist assessment, usually around two hours, with a parent or carer present throughout.
The child ADHD assessment usually lasts around two hours and is completed by a qualified ADHD clinician. For older teenagers, the clinician may also spend some time speaking with them directly, where appropriate and with agreement.
The assessment may include:
There are no questions your child can "fail". The appointment is designed to help us understand them, not to test or judge them.
A clear explanation of your child's outcome, and a conversation about what comes next.
If ADHD is diagnosed, we will discuss treatment and support options. These may include:
Following assessment, you will receive a written clinical report. Where ADHD is diagnosed, the report may help support discussions with school, college, local authority services, employers for older teenagers, or other agencies involved in your child's care.
A diagnosis can be helpful in supporting applications or discussions around additional educational support, but final decisions about school provision, local authority support or formal plans are made by the relevant school, education authority or statutory body.
Medication is not the right choice for every child, and it is never something families have to decide immediately.
If ADHD is diagnosed, your clinician will discuss the full range of support options. Medication may be considered where it is clinically appropriate, safe and in line with the child's needs and family preferences.
If medication is started, careful monitoring is important.
Medication can be prescribed privately through ADHD Direct where appropriate. Some patients may later move to shared care with their GP once stable, but this is always the GP's decision.
A deposit may be required at the time of booking to secure your appointment.
One specialist clinical assessment for children aged 6 to 17, with a written diagnostic report. Online across the UK or face-to-face in Glasgow.
Medication review appointments and follow-up appointments are charged separately. Review costs are explained clearly at the time of booking.
Additional psychometric testing may be used if clinically required.
Real reviews left by parents on Google. We have selected those that describe the service and process, not outcomes. Individual experiences vary.
"The clinic has been amazing. Charlotte was really patient and kind with my son. She really reassured us and listened to everything we had to say."
"Katie was absolutely lovely - she made our daughter feel at ease right away. It was clear she really understood how to connect with young people."
"The clinician took the time to really listen to our concerns without judgment or rushing us. It was such a relief to finally feel heard and understood."
If you have a question not covered here, please get in touch.
Book a child ADHD assessmentWe assess children and young people aged 6 to 17.
For children under 6, ADHD symptoms can be more difficult to separate from typical early childhood development. If you are concerned about a younger child, we would recommend seeking advice about appropriate early support.
No. Parents and carers can book a private child ADHD assessment directly.
As part of safe clinical care, we may ask for information from your child's GP and, with your consent, we can share relevant clinical information with them after the assessment.
Yes. Child ADHD assessments are available virtually across the UK or in person at our Glasgow clinic.
A parent or carer must attend the appointment with the child.
We aim to make the assessment calm and supportive. The appointment is not a school test and your child cannot fail it.
The clinician will adapt the conversation to your child's age, developmental stage and communication style.
If ADHD is not diagnosed, we will still aim to explain the outcome clearly. Where possible, we will identify other factors that may better explain the difficulties or suggest other support that may be helpful.
Not necessarily.
Medication is only one possible treatment option. Some families choose medication, some do not, and for some children it may not be clinically appropriate. If ADHD is diagnosed, your clinician will discuss options carefully and without pressure.
The report can be used to support discussions with school about your child's needs and possible adaptations.
Schools and local authorities make their own decisions about support arrangements, but a clear diagnostic report and recommendations can help guide those conversations.
Yes. ADHD and autism can co-occur, and some children have features of both. If your clinician notices traits that may suggest autism or another neurodevelopmental difference, this will be discussed and reflected in the clinical recommendations where appropriate.
For children under 16, consent from those with parental responsibility may be required. If family circumstances are complex, please contact us before booking so we can advise on the most appropriate next step.
Choose a time below that suits you. Appointments are available online across the UK or in person at our Glasgow clinic. Prefer to take the free check first? Start the ADHD screening.