Can I refer my child myself?

Some NHS services accept parent referrals, but most require a GP, paediatrician or school referral. Check your local service's page before booking the GP.

Does Right to Choose apply to children?

In England it can apply to a first outpatient appointment for children too, though the range of providers is smaller than for adults.

How do I get my child assessed for ADHD?

Usually through your GP or the school’s SENCO, with information gathered from home and school. Recognition draws on how a child functions across settings rather than one report.

For parents

Getting an ADHD referral for your child

Reading time: 6 min
Written for: Parents
Sections: 3

The short answer

Children are usually referred by a GP, a paediatrician or the school to a community paediatric or CAMHS neurodevelopmental service. Bring a written history, examples from home and school, and school evidence — this is what stops a referral being sent back.

On this page (3 sections)

01Prepare before the appointment
02Who assesses children
03While you wait

Prepare before the appointment

Write one page: what you notice, since when, in which settings, and what it stops your child doing. Add a teacher's note or a copy of the school's SEN record if you have one.

Standard questionnaires such as Conners or SDQ are often requested from both home and school. Asking the school to complete theirs early saves weeks.

Who assesses children

A community paediatrician, child psychiatrist or specialist neurodevelopmental team, drawing on parent interview, school information and direct observation.

Assessment also looks for co-occurring conditions — autism, learning difficulties, anxiety, sleep disorders — because these change what support helps.

While you wait

Push on school support in parallel: it does not depend on the assessment. Keep the diary going, and keep copies of every letter.

If the wait is long, ask what interim support the service offers and whether a parent programme is available locally.

Questions

Common questions

01
Can I refer my child myself?: Some NHS services accept parent referrals, but most require a GP, paediatrician or school referral. Check your local service's page before booking the GP.
02
Does Right to Choose apply to children?: In England it can apply to a first outpatient appointment for children too, though the range of providers is smaller than for adults.

Reviewed answers

Reviewed questions on this page

How do I get my child assessed for ADHD?: Usually through your GP or the school’s SENCO, with information gathered from home and school. Recognition draws on how a child functions across settings rather than one report.Do thisWrite two specific examples from home and ask the school for two from the classroom before the appointment.What this does not settleA school cannot diagnose ADHD, and neither can a checklist.
Why we say this
UK guidance says: Recognition and referral consider impairment across settings and information from people who know the child. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Clinical guideline · UK)
UK practical guidance: ADHD UK sets out current UK pathway information. ADHD UK (Practical guidance · UK)

See every reviewed question on this topic

Next step

Parent and school supportSupport a child can get at schoolSENCO conversations, classroom support and what to ask for.

Keep going