Preparing for your appointment: what helps

An ADHD assessment depends heavily on history, and history is easier to give when you have thought about it beforehand. An hour of preparation genuinely improves the quality of the assessment.

Before the appointment

You will receive forms to complete before your visit. Do these properly rather than quickly. They shape the conversation, and rushing them means the appointment starts from a less accurate picture.

Answer honestly rather than as you would like things to be. There is no advantage in appearing to cope better than you do, and it makes the assessment less useful.

Think about childhood

This catches people out. ADHD is diagnosed partly on evidence that difficulties were present before age twelve, and many adults have not thought about their childhood in these terms.

Worth considering beforehand:

• What teachers said about you, particularly recurring comments
• Whether homework was a struggle, and why
• Whether you were described as dreamy, disruptive, disorganised or forgetful
• Whether you lost things constantly
• How you managed as school became more demanding

School reports are genuinely useful if you can find them. Comments like “could do better if she concentrated” carry real weight in an assessment.

If a parent is available, a conversation with them can fill in a great deal. Parents often remember things you have forgotten entirely.

Think about the present

Try to bring examples rather than generalisations. “I am disorganised” is less useful than “I missed two deadlines last month and I have three unopened bills on the kitchen table.”

Think about where the difficulties show up — work, home, relationships, finances, driving — and what they actually cost you. Impact matters as much as symptoms in reaching a diagnosis.

What to have to hand

• A list of medications you take, including doses
• Any relevant medical history, particularly heart conditions, seizures, thyroid problems or psychiatric history
• Family history, since ADHD frequently runs in families
• Notes on how you sleep
• Any previous assessments or reports
• School reports if you can find them

For a child's appointment

Most of the conversation will be with you rather than your child. Useful to bring: your child's developmental history including any delays, school reports and any communication from the school, a description of what a difficult morning or homework session actually looks like, and how things compare with siblings if relevant.

The teacher form matters enormously. Send it to school as early as you can, since the assessment cannot be completed without it.

Practical points for a video appointment

Find somewhere private where you will not be interrupted and can speak freely. Test your camera and microphone beforehand. Have water, and something to write with.

If a partner or parent can add useful history, they are welcome to join for part of the appointment. Other people often notice things we do not notice about ourselves.

Questions worth asking

It is your appointment. Reasonable things to ask include what the diagnosis is based on, what the treatment options are and how they compare, what happens if the first approach does not work, how often you will be reviewed, and what to do if something concerns you between appointments.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. It cannot diagnose ADHD or any other condition. Only a licensed clinician can make a diagnosis, after a full assessment. If you are concerned about yourself or your child, please speak to a healthcare professional. If you are in crisis, call 911. For mental health support, call or text 988 at any time.