ADHD Assessment

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it develops alongside brain development during childhood. ADHD is often associated with, or co-morbid with, other neurodevelopmental conditions such as dyspraxia, dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome, and what are generally referred to as autistic spectrum disorders. These conditions can easily mask or counteract some of the more obvious symptoms of ADHD, and an experienced clinician will be well aware of this.

In addition to being a neurodevelopmental condition, ADHD in adults is commonly linked or co-morbid with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. In these cases, the underlying ADHD may have been masked for years by the associated problems it has caused.

The widespread perception of ADHD as simply involving badly behaved boys causing disruptions in class significantly influences how many parents and teachers respond to a diagnosis, or even the suggestion of seeking an assessment for their child.

This perception focuses on the most visible symptoms of ADHD, which can be most pronounced in young boys. Girls, both young and older, can also have ADHD, but they are less likely to be diagnosed. This is partly because their difficulties can be more subtle, or ‘masked’ and partly due to historical biases. Current statistics show that ADHD is diagnosed in boys two to three times more often than in girls.