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Have you been struggling with inattention, overactivity and social regulation? Most people with these symptoms will quickly conclude that they might have ADHD. However, there are other conditions, such as anxiety, that could have similar symptoms and support and treatment are different for each condition.
An ADHD assessment can shed light on your struggles and help determine if you have ADHD or another underlying condition. At My Solution Wellbeing in Birmingham, we offer a private ADHD assessment to help you bypass the long wait times associated with public channels.
Our ADHD Assessment Process
Your first ADHD assessment can trigger anxiety, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Our process is simplified and clearly explained by the clinician to ensure you fully understand what is happening.
Basically, the process follows three primary steps:
Medical History and Screening
We begin the assessment by reviewing your medical history and using standardised screening questionnaires. This helps us learn more about your symptoms and struggles over the years.
This stage is important because ADHD is not diagnosed by one symptom or one difficult period. A proper assessment looks at patterns over time, including how symptoms may have appeared in childhood and how they continue to affect daily functioning. The screening process helps identify whether moving forward to the full ADHD pathway is appropriate.
You will also have a feedback appointment, which gives you the chance to talk through your questionnaire findings, discuss your experiences and ask questions. This appointment may take place face to face or online, depending on your circumstances and the service arrangement available at the time.
During this stage, the clinician may explore areas such as attention, impulsivity, restlessness, organisation, emotional regulation, school history, work difficulties, family patterns and any previous mental health support. If the findings suggest that a full ADHD assessment is suitable, you can then move on to the next phase.
DIVA Assessment
The second stage is the DIVA assessment. DIVA is a structured ADHD assessment tool used to explore ADHD symptoms in both childhood and adulthood. This stage is usually more detailed and focuses on how symptoms have shown up across different parts of your life.
During the DIVA assessment, you will meet with a consultant for an appointment that typically lasts around 90 to 120 minutes. The appointment explores the type of ADHD symptoms present, how they affect you now, and how they may have appeared earlier in life. This is especially important because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning symptoms usually begin in childhood, even if they are not recognised until later.
The DIVA assessment may cover areas such as difficulty sustaining attention, forgetfulness, distractibility, impulsive decisions, interrupting, restlessness, poor time management, emotional intensity and problems completing tasks. The aim is not to judge your behaviour, but to understand it properly.
Many clients find this stage helpful because it gives language to experiences they may have struggled to explain. You may begin to see patterns that have affected education, employment, relationships, confidence and day-to-day responsibilities. The information gathered during the DIVA assessment is then passed to the specialist involved in your diagnostic appointment.
Diagnosis Report and Treatment Pathway
The third stage is the diagnostic appointment, report and treatment pathway. At this point, you will meet with a psychiatrist or Consultant Clinical Psychologist for an appointment of around 60 minutes. They will review the assessment information, ask any further questions and consider whether you meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis.
If a diagnosis is given, you will receive a comprehensive report outlining the outcome, findings and recommendations. This report can help you better understand your needs and may be useful when discussing support with employers, schools, universities or other professionals, depending on your circumstances.
The diagnosis stage is also where the next steps can be discussed. Treatment and support may vary from person to person. Some people benefit from therapy, ADHD coaching, practical coping strategies, lifestyle adjustments, workplace support or educational recommendations. Others may wish to explore medication options, where clinically appropriate, at an additional cost.
The purpose of the pathway is not simply to give a label. It is to help you understand how ADHD affects you and what you can do to support your wellbeing, confidence, and day-to-day functioning.
How Much Does the Private ADHD Assessment Cost?
My Solution Wellbeing’s private ADHD assessment cost is split into two parts. The first part is the medical history and screening stage, which includes screening and one appointment with a counsellor at £300.
The second part is the DIVA assessment, specialist diagnostic appointment, and report, at £1,200. This includes the DIVA assessment, meeting with the relevant specialist and diagnosis with a written report.
