ADHD

When you contact APIS Clinic, you do not need to be certain about what you are experiencing. You may already be quite sure that ADHD is part of your story, or you may simply feel that something about attention, organisation, motivation, emotions or daily functioning has become difficult to manage. Either starting point is valid.

Once we receive your enquiry, a member of our friendly team will get in touch. We will collect some basic details, answer any initial questions, and arrange a convenient time for a specialist triage call. This first step is not about judging you or rushing you into a diagnosis.

It is about understanding what has brought you to us, what you hope for, and whether the ADHD pathway is likely to be the right place to start. During the triage call, we may ask about your current difficulties, previous assessments, mental and physical health, medication history, risk factors, and whether you have support from a GP or other professionals. If another pathway seems more suitable, such as autism, AuDHD, mental health assessment, diagnostic review, or trait-led support, we will explain this clearly.

If the ADHD pathway is appropriate, we will guide you through the next steps. You will be asked to complete questionnaires and provide background information before your appointment. We aim to make this as simple as possible.

Forms and relevant sections can be completed in one place via an app. Where appropriate, objective attention measures may also be used. These do not replace clinical assessment but can provide useful information about attention, response style and cognitive performance.

NICE guidance emphasises that ADHD assessment should involve a trained specialist, a comprehensive clinical and psychosocial assessment, and consideration of symptoms across different settings, such as home, education, work and daily life. Once the information is complete, we will arrange an appointment with one of our specialists. The assessment can usually be accessed via a secure link, including on your phone or other device where appropriate.

We want the setting to feel calm, neutral and manageable. You can choose to attend the assessment alone or with a family member, partner, friend, or another supportive person if you feel this would help. Some people find it useful to have someone present who knew them earlier in life or who understands how difficulties manifest day to day.

We will always respect your privacy and consent. At the start of the appointment, the clinician will take time to help you feel comfortable. They will explain how the session will work and check whether you need anything to make the assessment easier.

You can ask for breaks. You can pause, take notes, gather your thoughts, or ask the clinician to repeat or clarify anything. We recognise that the assessment itself can feel intense or overwhelming, especially when you are discussing years of difficulty.

The clinician will then carefully explore your story. This may include early childhood, school life, education, work, family relationships, friendships, daily routines, emotional regulation, sleep, physical health, mental health, and the impact of your difficulties. They will ask about both challenges and strengths.

The aim is not simply to tick boxes. It is to understand your pattern. ADHD can overlap with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, trauma, autism, hormonal changes, fatigue, pain and other factors.

Sometimes ADHD is the main explanation. Sometimes it is part of a wider picture. A careful assessment helps distinguish these possibilities and build a formulation that makes sense.

Towards the end of the appointment, the clinician will usually discuss their initial impressions with you. They will explain whether ADHD appears to fit, whether more information is needed, and what the next steps may be. Together, you will begin to consider a support and treatment plan.

This may include psychoeducation, practical strategies, workplace or study adjustments, medication discussion where clinically appropriate, cognitive training, ILF neurofeedback, or liaison with your GP or other professionals. You do not need to remember everything from the session. We will reassure you about this.

You may wish to take notes, but the key findings and recommendations will also be included in your report. After the assessment, the clinician will prepare a written report. This will usually be sent to you within 7 days.

The report will summarise the assessment, formulation, diagnostic opinion where appropriate, and personalised recommendations. Our aim is for you to leave the process with greater clarity and insight, not simply a diagnosis. We want you to feel understood, informed, and supported as you choose the next step that suits your life.