ADHD Support / Advice & next steps
What evidence may help an ADHD assessment
You do not need to make every example sound severe. Accurate patterns, including times when the child functions well, help the clinician understand context.
Quick answer
ADHD-assessment evidence should describe persistent attention, activity, impulse-control or executive-function difficulties, their impact and how they appear in more than one setting. Include developmental information, school observations, family examples, strengths, support tried and any relevant health or emotional factors. Evidence informs a clinical assessment; it does not diagnose by itself.
What this means
Assessment services often seek information from parents and education because ADHD symptoms must be understood across daily life. Useful examples explain the task or situation, what the child did, what support was available and the consequence for learning, relationships, safety or wellbeing. Clinicians may also consider sleep, anxiety, autism, learning needs, trauma, medication and physical health.
Rating scales are one source of information, not a standalone result. Differences between home and school should be explored rather than treated as proof that one account is wrong.
Masking, highly structured environments or intense interest can change how difficulties appear. Record the effort and recovery involved, not only visible behaviour.
Questions to ask
Which patterns are persistent and present across more than one setting?
What is the impact on learning, relationships, safety or wellbeing?
Which strategies help, and what effort or structure do they require?
What other health, developmental or learning factors should the clinician consider?
Local Northamptonshire route
ADHD referral arrangements are health-service pathways and may change, so confirm the current route with the GP, school or commissioned service. North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire Local Offers and SENDIASS services provide separate education information. School support can continue while assessment is pending.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Families and schools can gather evidence without paying. Private assessment is optional. If considering it, check clinician qualifications, professional registration, full costs, prescribing arrangements where relevant and how information from different settings will be obtained.
What happens next?
The clinician should consider the combined evidence, discuss possible explanations and explain the outcome. Whatever the decision, ask what needs were identified and which school, health or family support steps are appropriate.
Support that may help
GP or NHS ADHD service · School SENCO · Appropriately qualified ADHD clinician · SENDIASS
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.