ADHD Assessments at Harley Therapy™ London
Suspect your child or teen has attention deficit?
Is your child struggling at school and acting out at home? Worried he or she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and interested in a professional opinion?
ADHD and ADD symptoms in children
It is now recognised that there are three main symptoms of attention deficit, which are:
- inattention
- impulsivity
- hyperactivity.
Only one of the above symptoms can merit a diagnosis if severe enough to affect several areas of your child or teen's life, such as learning and socialising. A dreamy child always staring out the window is as much a potential candidate as a hyper child constantly disrupting the classroom.
This has led to the use of ‘ADD’, attention deficit disorder, as well as ‘ADHD’, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although here in the UK 'ADHD' is the official diagnostic term.
ADHD assessment for children and adolescents
There is no simple test for ADHD in children and teens. Instead, diagnosis involves a very thorough assessment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that a team of healthcare professionals are involved, working together to evaluate your child's medical, developmental, and psychological history, and his or her current behaviours and symptoms.
This can include a physical exam, several interviews of both you and possibly other family members, having teachers fill out reports, then interviewing, observing, and testing your child.
Educational psychologists and ADHD testing
Part of your child's assessment can involve working with an educational psychologist. An expert in learning and behavioural needs, he or she can test things like your child's problem solving styles and intellectual functioning, as well as assess emotional difficulties.
Unlike adult ADHD, which can only be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, an educational psychologist with expertise in attention deficit is authorised to officially diagnose your child.
Recommended treatment for child ADHD
Your child’s team of healthcare providers work together to create a multidisclipary treatment plan which can include therapy sessions, extra help at school, and support for you as the parents of an ADHD child.
Medication is only offered in serious cases and should be combined with psychological treatments and support. If your educational psychologist feels that medicine should be part of your child or teen's treatment you will be referred to a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
The Benefits of an ADHD assessment for your child and family
A child with attention deficit issues affects your whole family. An assessment can identify or rule out ADHD, as well as spot any other issues like learning differences or developmental disorders.
The benefits of an assessment include:
- understanding your child and his or her behaviour
- recognising and building on your child’s strengths
- optimising your home environment to ease symptoms
- learning parenting strategies that help you cope
- helping your child with social skills, self-control, and problem-solving
- accessing support and services to make things easier for your family.
ADD testing - the Harley Therapy™ approach
We recognise that having your child assessed can be an emotional time. At Harley Therapy you can relax in knowing you are in expert hands. All our educational psychotherapists are trained in top institutions, have many years of experience, and hold chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Find out how an educational psychologist can help your family
Ready to find ways to help your child and your family? And prefer to have a private psychologist carry out testing and observation, so they work directly for you instead of a school board?
Call us now or book online to make a confidential appointment for an ADHD assessment with one of our educational psychologists in the City of London, Harley Street, or London Bridge.
Further reading about ADHD in children
London Psychologist Services
- Psychological Assessment
- Counselling
- Psychotherapy
- Short & Long-Term therapy
- Psychiatrist Referrals
