Do I need a GP referral to book a private ADHD assessment?

No. You can self-refer directly to Harley Mind Care without a GP referral. Simply book online or contact the clinic.

How much does a private adult ADHD assessment cost?

A private adult ADHD assessment at Harley Mind Care costs from £800. This includes a full diagnostic report, the first prescription if medication is recommended, and a shared care agreement with your GP.

How much does a private child ADHD assessment cost?

A private child or adolescent ADHD assessment at Harley Mind Care costs from £1,245. This includes a full diagnostic report, the first prescription if medication is recommended, and a shared care agreement with your GP.

How much does a private autism assessment cost?

A private adult autism assessment costs from £1,600. A child or adolescent autism assessment costs from £1,850.

Are in-person ADHD and autism assessments available?

Yes. In-person assessments are available at 10 Harley Street, London, and at Gravesham Community Centre in Kent. All in-person appointments are by arrangement — contact the clinic to confirm availability.

Can a private autism or ADHD diagnosis be used for an EHCP?

Yes. Harley Mind Care produces detailed diagnostic reports suitable for EHCP applications, accepted by schools and local authorities.

Does Harley Mind Care accept private health insurance?

Yes. Harley Mind Care works with Vitality Health, Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Alliance Health Group and other major insurers. Patients should confirm coverage with their insurer before booking.

Is Harley Mind Care CQC registered?

Yes. Harley Mind Care Psychiatrists Ltd is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

My child seems fine at school but completely different at home. Is it still worth getting them assessed for ADHD?

Yes — and this contrast between school and home is one of the most clinically meaningful patterns we see. What you are describing has a name: masking. Many children with ADHD expend enormous effort holding themselves together in structured environments like school, and then completely decompress once they are home and feel safe enough to let go. Teachers saying 'we do not see it here' does not mean there is nothing to assess. It means your child is working very hard to appear neurotypical in public. At Harley Mind Care, we look at your child's functioning across all settings — home, school, social situations, and unstructured time. Your account as a parent carries equal clinical weight to the school questionnaire. Our pre-assessment Conners 4 questionnaires collect input from you as a parent AND from a teacher, so we can compare presentations across settings.

My daughter is quiet and dreamy, not hyperactive. Could it still be ADHD?

Yes. The hyperactive picture of ADHD is predominantly male. Girls are far more likely to present with the inattentive subtype: daydreaming, losing track of conversations, forgetting things, struggling to start or finish tasks, and feeling internally chaotic while appearing outwardly calm. Girls also tend to be significantly better at masking — what gets noticed instead is anxiety, low self-esteem, or a child who seems to be trying hard but never quite keeping up. Our consultants at Harley Mind Care are experienced in identifying ADHD in girls, including presentations that have been missed for years. ADHD in girls is not rare — it is underrecognised.

My child was already seen by an educational psychologist. Do they still need a psychiatric assessment?

It depends what you are hoping to achieve. An educational psychologist (EP) assessment maps your child's cognitive profile and identifies learning needs, but educational psychologists cannot diagnose ADHD and cannot prescribe medication — they are not medical doctors. At Harley Mind Care, assessments are conducted by consultant child psychiatrists — medically qualified doctors who can make a clinical ADHD diagnosis, recommend medication if appropriate, initiate prescriptions, and set up a shared care agreement with your GP. If your child already has an EP report, please share it with us before the assessment. It is genuinely useful background, but it does not replace a psychiatric diagnostic assessment.

How do I prepare my child for their ADHD assessment? Should I tell them what it is for?

We recommend being honest with your child, calibrated to their age. For younger children (under 10), keep it simple: 'We are going to meet a doctor who helps understand how different brains work.' For older children and teens, saying 'we are going to see someone who can help us understand why some things feel harder for you' tends to land well. One important note: please do not coach your child on what to say or try to suppress their behaviour beforehand. We need to see an accurate picture of how they are. Our consultants are experienced at working with children who are not thrilled to be there.

My child's difficulties seem connected to anxiety. Should we deal with the anxiety before seeking an ADHD assessment?

Often the anxiety is not separate from the ADHD — it is a consequence of it. Years of struggling to focus, falling behind, and being told off for things you cannot control reliably produce anxiety. In many children, treating the underlying ADHD reduces the anxiety significantly. Anxiety and ADHD can also look similar on the surface — both cause difficulty concentrating, irritability, and avoidance of tasks. A proper diagnostic assessment considers both possibilities and helps distinguish what is driving what. You do not need to choose which to assess first. Our consultants are trained in diagnosing and treating co-occurring conditions.

Can I stay in the room with my child during the ADHD assessment?

The assessment has two distinct parts. In the parent interview — which covers your child's developmental history and your observations — you are a central part of the process. For the one-to-one session with your child, we ask parents not to be present in the room, as children often present differently when a parent is watching. Your child may need you for the first minute or two to settle, and you will remain nearby throughout. If your child has additional needs that make separation particularly difficult — significant anxiety, autism alongside ADHD, or a very young age — please let us know before the assessment so we can make appropriate arrangements.

What does the Conners 4 questionnaire measure? What are you looking for?

The Conners 4 is a standardised rating scale and one of the most widely used and clinically validated tools for assessing ADHD in children and adolescents. It comes in three versions: one completed by you as a parent, one by a teacher, and one by the child themselves if old enough. It covers inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, executive functioning, and peer relations. It also screens for anxiety and mood difficulties that commonly co-occur with ADHD. Results are scored against age and gender norms. The Conners 4 generates a profile rather than a single number, meaning our consultants can see which specific domains are most affected — shaping both the diagnosis and the personalised recommendations in your child's report. Please complete the questionnaires based on how your child actually is, not on their best days.

What happens if the ADHD assessment does not result in a diagnosis?

A thorough assessment always has value — even when the outcome is not a diagnosis. If our consultant concludes that your child does not meet the criteria for ADHD, you will receive a clear explanation of what they found, why the diagnostic threshold was not met, and what the difficulties you are observing are most likely to reflect instead. In many cases where ADHD is not the primary diagnosis, assessments reveal something equally important: significant anxiety, processing differences, emotional dysregulation, or traits consistent with autism that warrant further investigation. You leave with answers, not just a negative result. If a different condition is identified or suspected, our consultant will outline the appropriate next steps.

How do I tell my child they have ADHD without making them feel labelled or different?

The worry about labelling is natural, but the evidence consistently shows that children who understand their diagnosis almost always do better than those kept in the dark. The label does not create the difficulty — it explains it. For younger children, frame it around brain differences: 'Your brain is wired in a really interesting way — it is brilliant at some things and needs a bit more support with others.' For older children and teens, many feel immediate relief at finally having a name for something they have struggled with silently. Avoid framing it as something that needs to be fixed. The goal is self-understanding. We will always spend time with you in the feedback session discussing how to have this conversation with your specific child.

Could my child have both ADHD and autism? How do you assess for both?

Yes, and it is more common than many parents realise. Research shows that around 50–70% of autistic children also meet criteria for ADHD. Our consultant will consider both possibilities during the assessment regardless of your initial referral reason. ADHD primarily affects attention regulation and impulse control; autism primarily involves differences in social communication, sensory processing, and rigid or repetitive patterns of behaviour. If significant autistic traits are identified alongside ADHD, our consultant will discuss whether a separate autism assessment is indicated. Harley Mind Care offers autism assessments for children and adolescents, so both pathways can be supported here. Please tell us about any sensory sensitivities, communication differences, or rigid routines — everything is relevant.

My child is about to start secondary school. Is now a good time to get assessed for ADHD?

Now is an excellent time — and arguably one of the most important windows. Secondary school transition is one of the most common triggers for ADHD that was previously manageable to suddenly become unmanageable. The demands on independent organisation, self-directed study, managing multiple teachers and subjects, and navigating far more complex social dynamics are exactly the areas where ADHD creates the most difficulty. Children who coped in primary school often hit a wall at Year 7. Getting a diagnosis before or shortly after the transition means support can be put in place at the new school from the outset. If your child is in Year 5 or 6 and you have concerns, do not wait — getting support established before secondary school starts is significantly easier than retrofitting it after a difficult first year.

How do I tell my child's school about the ADHD diagnosis, and what should I ask them to do?

Start with the SENCO — not the class teacher. Request a meeting specifically to share the diagnostic report and discuss what support will be put in place. Schools are legally required under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for children with a disability, and ADHD qualifies. Reasonable adjustments can include preferential seating away from distractions, written instructions alongside verbal ones, extended time for tasks, movement breaks, a quiet space for tests, and more frequent check-ins from a key adult. If you want exam access arrangements such as extra time in GCSEs, apply through the school's exams officer as early as possible. Our diagnostic report provides the clinical evidence that supports these applications. Our written reports include a recommendations section specifically designed to be shared with schools.

My child's school says they need an NHS diagnosis for exam access arrangements. Is that correct?

This is not accurate. JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) rules — which govern exam access arrangements in England — require a diagnosis from a specialist qualified to diagnose, and evidence of need gathered within the school context. They do not specify NHS versus private. Harley Mind Care is CQC-registered and our assessments are conducted by consultant psychiatrists, exactly the kind of specialist qualified to make a clinical ADHD diagnosis for the purposes of exam access. The report we produce meets the evidential requirements for JCQ applications. If a school tells you they need an NHS diagnosis specifically, ask them to point you to the JCQ regulation that states this — it does not exist.

How long will it take to receive the written ADHD assessment report?

You will receive a verbal summary of findings at the feedback session at the end of the assessment, so you know the key outcome on the day itself. The full written report — which includes clinical history, assessment findings, diagnostic conclusion, and detailed recommendations — is typically delivered within 2 to 3 weeks of the assessment date. If you need the report urgently for a school meeting, EHCP application deadline, or GP appointment, please let us know at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate an expedited timeframe. Letters to schools, GP covering letters, and additional copies of the report can be requested at any time through your secure Harley Mind Care patient portal.

The child ADHD assessment costs £1,245. Can we spread the cost and what does it cover?

Yes — Harley Mind Care offers an instalment plan for families who need to spread the cost. Please contact us before booking to discuss the options available. The £1,245 covers the complete assessment fee for a child or adolescent: the pre-assessment Conners 4 questionnaires (parent, teacher, and self-report forms), the clinical assessment with a consultant child psychiatrist (60–90 minutes), the feedback session, the full written diagnostic report, the first prescription at no additional cost if medication is recommended, a free shared care agreement letter to your GP, and lifetime access to the Harley Mind Care patient portal. If cost is a concern, please speak to us before ruling it out — we would rather find a way to make this work for your family than have a child go without an assessment they need.

Does health insurance cover a private ADHD assessment for my child at Harley Mind Care?

Possibly — and it is worth checking before you pay out of pocket. We work with major UK health insurers, and some policies do cover ADHD or neurodevelopmental assessments for children. Vitality Health, for example, has a specific ADHD and autism pathway that Harley Mind Care works within. The key is to check with your insurer before booking, not after. Ask specifically whether your policy covers child psychiatry or paediatric psychiatry, ADHD diagnostic assessments, and whether pre-authorisation is required. Please call us on 020 7047 8888 or email hello@harleymindcare.com before booking and tell us your insurer — we can advise on whether we are recognised by your plan. Do not assume your policy does not cover this. Many parents discover it does, and one call before booking can save you the full fee.

How Long is the NHS ADHD Waiting List in 2026?

If you have been referred for an NHS ADHD assessment, you must have a question in your mind about how long you will wait. The answer to this question depends on where you live.

Right now, in the UK, NHS ADHD waiting times in 2026 can range anywhere from about 6 months to over 5 years.

Let’s explore why it takes too long and see if there are any options to minimise this wait.

What the data actually shows

According to a 2023 report by ADHD UK on waiting times across England and Wales, the gaps were shocking. For adults, some areas had cleared referrals within 12 weeks, while others took more than 10 years. For children, it ranged from 5 weeks to 5 years.

That is not a few bad postcodes; that is the system.

Why is it taking so long?

It is not just one thing. It’s a pile-up.

More people are recognising ADHD in themselves, especially adults who were missed as kids. Awareness has increased (which is good), but services have not kept pace. Not even close.

And ADHD assessments are not quick checklists. They take time because of specialists, follow-ups, and sometimes input from family or school history. You cannot rush it without cutting corners.

So, the queue keeps growing.

What can you do?

You have a few real options. These may not be perfect, but they are there:

Wait it out.

Yeah, not the most exciting plan. But in some areas, the wait is not quite as brutal as the horror stories you see online. Sometimes it is under a year. Sometimes.

The best thing you can do? Ask your GP, or even call the local ADHD service directly, to get a real estimate.

Because knowing you are waiting 8 months feels very different from thinking it might be 3 years and just sitting in that uncertainty.

Use NHS Right to Choose.

This one’s a bit of a hidden door.

If you are an adult in England, you can sometimes ask your GP to refer you to a different provider with a shorter waiting list. Some of these are private clinics that work with the NHS, so you’re not paying out of pocket.

But it’s slightly annoying depending on your area. Some Integrated Care Boards are on board. Others are not.

Still, it’s worth asking. A simple, “Can I use Right to Choose for ADHD?” could shave years off your wait.

Go private.

This is the fastest track.

You could be seen in a few weeks instead of a few years. No endless waiting. No wonder when your turn is coming up.

For example, clinics like Harley Mind Care offer adult ADHD assessments starting from around £800. Not little money, obviously. But for some people, it is the difference between staying stuck and actually moving forward.

So, what do you actually get with a private assessment?

Not just a quick chat and a handshake.

You will get a full, detailed report from a consultant psychiatrist. The kind you can actually use.

Take it to your GP for shared care. Show it to your employer if you need workplace adjustments. Use it for things like the DVLA if it ever comes up. It’s not just a label; it’s documentation that opens doors.

And if medication makes sense for you, that process can start pretty much straight away. No extra year-long queue just to begin treatment.

Most private reports meet NHS standards and are accepted by GPs, though. To be fair, shared care isn’t guaranteed. Some GP practices are great for it. Others hesitate. It varies.

Is going private worth it?

It is a common question.

And honestly, it depends totally on your finances, your day-to-day life and how much this is affecting you right now.

Because here’s the part people don’t always say out loud. Waiting is not neutral.

It’s not just time passing quietly in the background. It is missed deadlines, strained relationships and that constant feeling of “Why can’t I just get it together?”

I’ve seen people put things off for years, thinking they’ll deal with it “once they get assessed.” And then the years go by anyway. Same struggles, same questions just delayed answers.

So, for many people, getting clarity sooner, whether through the NHS or privately, changes things in a real, noticeable way.

Not overnight. But enough.

If the NHS timeline works for you, it’s great. Stick with it.

If it does not, then yeah, going private is a serious option. It may not be an easy option, but it is essential.

Want to know more? Call us on 020 7047 8888 or visit harleymindcare.com.

What is the overall cost of a Virtual Child/Adolescent ADHD Assessment?

No	Description	Cost	Time
1	A virtual Child/Adolescent ADHD assessment 1. This includes a full report, including diagnosis and treatment plan. 2. The first free medication prescription. 3. A free Shared Care Agreement with your GP (if required).	£1,245	60-90 Mins
2	Following diagnosis, medication titration involves follow-up consultations costing. £150 - £325 per 15-minute session. Titration can last between 8 and 12 weeks and potentially require multiple visits, depending on your response. to the medication. Our goal is to complete this process as quickly and safely as possible.	£150 - £325	15 Mins
3	ADHD medication, being a controlled substance, requires a monthly prescription. If the patient isn’t transferred to the NHS under a shared care agreement, there will be an approximate monthly cost of £45 per repeat prescription.	£45 per month
4	According to the NICE guidelines, the treatment response for all ADHD drugs should be reviewed annually at £590 per 30-minute session. (This review includes a comprehensive assessment of clinical needs, benefits, and side effects, taking into account the views of the patient and carers, the effect of missed doses, planned dose reductions, and brief periods of no treatment.)	£590 every 12 Months	30 mins

Once you have subscribed to our secure portal at Harley Mind Care, you will have access for life. We will provide the following services.

No	Type	Patient Portal Lifetime benefits
1	Patient Portal	You will have access to view and upload documents, billing activity, reports, and Educational resources (see below)
2	Automated Reminders	We will send out automated reminders for appointments, questionnaires, and 12-monthly reviews.
3	Educational Resources	We will upload educational videos on managing ADHD and pamphlets to assist you in things like monitoring your blood pressure and other health-related matters.
4	Communications	Portal, Email, Telephone, WhatsApp, Telegram and Messenger.