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.

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.

What is an EHCP and how does a private assessment help?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document produced by your local authority that sets out your child's educational, health and social care needs and the support they must receive. A private assessment report from a consultant psychiatrist or paediatrician can be submitted as evidence when applying for an EHCP. Local authorities are legally required to consider evidence from all qualified clinicians under the SEND Code of Practice 2015. You do not need to wait for an NHS diagnosis to apply for an EHCP — a private report from Harley Mind Care carries equal legal weight and includes specific recommendations for educational adjustments and support.

Can I apply for an EHCP without an NHS diagnosis?

Yes. Many families commission a private assessment specifically to support an EHCP application while they wait on NHS waiting lists. The assessment report provides the clinical evidence the local authority needs to consider your application. At Harley Mind Care, our reports are written by consultant psychiatrists and paediatricians, follow NICE guidelines, and include specific recommendations for educational adjustments and support — the detail that local authority panels look for when making EHCP decisions. You can request an EHCP assessment directly from your local authority at any time, without a GP referral.

What is a Phase Transfer and why does it matter for ADHD?

A Phase Transfer is when a child moves from one educational phase to another — most commonly from primary to secondary school at Year 6. This is one of the most common trigger points for ADHD to become apparent or to worsen significantly. Primary school provides a structured, single-classroom environment that can mask ADHD for years. Secondary school removes that scaffolding overnight — multiple teachers, subjects, and an expectation of independent organisation. If your child has an existing EHCP, the Phase Transfer must be reviewed by the local authority before the move. If they do not have an EHCP but are struggling, a Phase Transfer is a critical moment to seek a private assessment, as early support in secondary school can significantly affect long-term outcomes.

My child's school says they do not qualify for SEND support. What can I do?

Schools can put support in place based on observed need without a formal diagnosis. You can ask the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) directly to place your child on the school's SEND register. If the school is not responding adequately, you have the right to request a statutory Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment from your local authority directly — this right belongs to parents, not schools, and does not require the school's agreement. A private clinical assessment report from a consultant psychiatrist significantly strengthens an EHCP application and often changes a school's position. At Harley Mind Care, our reports are specifically written to support educational applications and include the detailed functional recommendations that schools and local authorities require.

How do annual EHCP reviews work and can Harley Mind Care help?

EHCPs are reviewed annually by the local authority. At each review, updated evidence about your child's needs can be submitted by parents, schools, and clinicians. If your child's needs have changed, if the current plan is not working, or if they are approaching a Phase Transfer, an updated clinical assessment from Harley Mind Care can provide the evidence needed to request amendments to the plan. We can also write specific supporting letters for annual reviews, transition meetings, and tribunal proceedings on request. Please speak to our team about what your review requires.

Where can I find support after my child's autism diagnosis?

Following diagnosis at Harley Mind Care, your report includes specific recommendations for next steps and support. Beyond our clinic, key organisations include the National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk), your local authority SEND team who can advise on EHCP applications, and your child's school SENCO who can put adjustments in place immediately. We are always available to write supporting letters for school, EHCP applications, and annual reviews. Please contact hello@harleymindcare.com

How to Choose a Private ADHD Clinic — What to Look For and What to Avoid

Introduction

Choosing a private clinic for ADHD assessment is an important decision clinically and financially. There is a rapid growth in the market over the last five years and with this growth comes a considerable variation in quality of assessment. Some clinics provide thorough assessments which are widely accepted by GPs, schools, universities, and employees. While other clinics offer a much shorter process that leaves patients struggling to access support later on.

Before you choose a private clinic for your assessment, it is essential to ask a few simple questions. The answers will usually tell you a lot about the standard of care you can expect.

In this guide, we will describe questions that help you tell the difference before you commit to booking. It is written by the clinical team at Harley Mind Care, but it applies to any provider you are considerin

1. Check CQC registration first

In England, private healthcare providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is an organisation which inspects services and monitors standards around safety, governance, and patient care.

It is important for you to check whether a clinic is registered by visiting cqc.org.uk and searching for its name.

However, keep in mind that CQC registration does not automatically mean a clinic is outstanding. But if a provider is not registered when it should be, that is a serious concern and one that deserves careful thought before booking.

2. Ask who will carry out the assessment

This is one of the most useful questions you can ask because it reveals the most about a clinic’s standards. Ask them about the qualifications of the clinicians who are going to conduct your assessment.

A consultant psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed a minimum of 13 years of specialist training, passed the Royal College of Psychiatrists examinations, and is listed on the GMC Specialist Register. They are qualified to diagnose mental health conditions independently and make prescribing decisions. This qualification allows a doctor to practice independently as a specialist.

Some clinics conduct assessments using psychologists, nurses, or other clinicians. Although these practitioners can be experienced and skilled, psychiatrists’ involvement is needed when there are complex presentations of ADHD combined with anxiety, depression, and autism. A psychiatrist can distinguish between conditions that can look very similar and make prescribing decisions safely.

A reputable clinic should be happy to explain its assessment team clearly.

3. Understand what the assessment includes

A good ADHD assessment is much more than filling out a questionnaire.

Most thorough assessments include pre-assessment questionnaires, information from someone who knows you well, where appropriate, a structured clinical interview, consideration of other possible explanations for symptoms, and a written diagnostic report.

You should ask the clinic about the assessment process. Ask how long the assessment lasts, what happens during the appointment, what tools they are using, and if the report is accepted by your GP.

If a process sounds unusually brief or the clinic cannot explain its approach clearly, it is worth looking somewhere else.

If you are looking for an autism assessment, ask ADOS-2 forms part of the process and how it is delivered. ADOS-2 is a standard diagnostic tool, and it requires direct observations rather than relying completely on questionnaires.

4. Look at independent reviews

Another useful way to identify the reputation of clinics is patient reviews. Reviews may not tell you everything, but they can reveal patterns.

You can check reviews on independent platforms such as Google, Doctify, and Trustpilot and read about the patient experience. Look at the overall volume of reviews as well as the rating and read the content of both positive and negative reviews.

You need to be cautious about clinics which have very few reviews, reviews that sound almost identical, or reviews that focus entirely on the booking process rather than the clinical experience. Alos, look for specific comments about the quality of the assessment, the report, and the aftercare.

5. Ask about shared care support

If you are likely to start ADHD medication following your assessment, it is worth discussing shared care arrangements with your GP.

Under a Shared Care Agreement, prescribing responsibilities may be transferred to your GP once treatment is stable. It can help you reduce long-term costs for many patients.

Ask questions such as:

Do you provide shared care documentation?

How does the process work?

What happens if my GP decides not to participate?

A clinic that has experience supporting shared care agreements and can explain the process clearly is a clinic that understands the full patient journey, not just the assessment itself.

6. Understand the fees

Healthcare costs matter to everyone. Transparent pricing not only helps you choose a clinic that suits your budget but also shows that a clinic is open about how its service works.

Before booking, ask exactly what is included in the quoted price. The important things that you ask for are assessment reports, follow up appointments, share care documentations, and prescriptions.

Hidden costs are not only financially frustrating for patients, but they also indicate that a clinic is not operating transparently. On the other hand, a simple and clear fee structure is an indicator of a well-run service.

7. Consider the aftercare

Having an assessment is just the start of a clinical relationship, so you need to ask the clinic what aftercare is available for medication management, titration appointments, follow-up consultations, and letters for employers, schools, or other bodies.

If a clinic provides a diagnosis but has no clear pathway for aftercare has not thought carefully about patient outcome.

Providing good aftercare to patients is a good clinical practice. A clear aftercare pathway is usually a sign that patient care extends beyond the initial appointment.

A note on online-only providers

Online ADHD assessments can be appropriate when they are carried out by qualified clinicians using a proper assessment process. However, some online providers focus heavily on speed, with shorter consultations and limited clinical exploration.

The key question is not simply whether an assessment is online or face-to-face. It is who is conducting it, how detailed the process is, and what evidence supports the diagnosis.

For autism assessments, many clinicians prefer in-person assessment methods that allow direct observation as part of the diagnostic process.

For children and young people, in-person assessment is important for reasons of observation and clinical judgement that a video call cannot fully replicate. For autism assessments at any age, in-person ADOS-2 administration is the standard.

The format of the assessment online or in-person matters less than who is conducting it and how. Ask the same questions of an online provider as you would of an in-person one.

Five questions to ask before booking

Are you CQC registered?

Who will carry out my assessment, and what are their qualifications?

What does the assessment involve?

Do you support shared care agreements with GPs?

What’s included in the fee, and what is aftercare available?

If a clinic answers these questions clearly and confidently, that’s usually a positive sign. If the answers feel vague or incomplete, it may be worth exploring other options.

Book an Assessment at Harley Mind Care

Harley Mind Care is a CQC-registered private psychiatry clinic based at 10 Harley Street, London. Assessments are conducted by consultant psychiatrists or paediatricians, and no GP referral is required.

🌐 harleymindcare.com
📞 020 7047 8888
✉ hello@harleymindcare.com

How much does ADHD medication cost privately in the UK?

The cost of private ADHD medication depends on whether your GP agrees to a Shared Care Agreement. If your GP takes over prescribing — which most do — you pay standard NHS prescription charges (currently £9.90 per item in England, or free if you hold an exemption certificate). If your GP declines shared care and your consultant continues prescribing privately, costs vary by medication but typically range from £80 to £180 per month for stimulant medications including the prescription and any dispensing fees. At Harley Mind Care, your first prescription following diagnosis is included in the assessment fee at no additional cost. We actively support Shared Care Agreements to minimise your ongoing costs.

What is the overall cost of a Virtual Adult ADHD Assessment?

No	Description	Cost	Time
1	A virtual Adult 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).	£800	60-90 Mins
2	Following diagnosis, medication titration involves follow-up consultations costing. £150 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	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 £300 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.)	£300 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.