“Our challenges become our superpowers when we embrace them, rather than hide them.”
— Ari Ne’eman
Best Practice Methods
We believe you deserve transparency and trust in your care. That’s why we follow internationally recognised ADHD assessment and management guidelines, often called the “gold standard”. These are the best-practice, research-backed approaches used by leading clinical bodies worldwide.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what that means for you, so you can stay informed and know what to expect every step of the way. If you do choose another assessment service, be sure to ask them how they adhere to these standards so you get the best quality support.
Gold‑Standard ADHD Assessment & Management Guidelines
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Our DSM‑5‑Aligned Assessment Approach
We align with the DSM-5 diagnostic manual for the standard classification of ADHD used by mental health professionals in the UK & US. We follow the DSM‑5’s recommended multi‑method, multi‑informant framework to deliver an accurate and personalised ADHD diagnosis.
Rigorous Clinical Interview
We conduct a structured clinical interview that explores each symptom in detail, both how you experience it today and how it showed up in childhood. By using semi‑structured tools we ensure every criterion is covered thoughtfully, not just ticked off a list.
Validated Rating Scales
You’ll complete validated rating scales that quantify how often and how intensely you experience core ADHD symptoms.
We screen for other conditions that can overlap with or mimic ADHD, such as anxiety, depression. This step ensures we understand whether any symptoms might be better explained by another issue.
Nuanced Process
We bring all the pieces together interview insights, questionnaire scores, and use our clinical judgment to interpret how ADHD affects your daily life. Rather than focusing on a rigid symptom count, we describe each criterion with real‑world examples and tailor our findings to your unique profile. This thorough, nuanced process is the gold standard for reliable ADHD assessment.
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The ICD‑11: The Global Framework for ADHD Assessment
We adhere to the World Health Organisation’s ICD‑11 framework, which stresses cultural and developmental sensitivity, so that every behaviour is understood in the context of your age, background, and life experience.
Holistic Symptom Exploration
We examine both your current challenges and childhood history, walking through each ICD‑11 symptom with real‑life examples and structured rating scales to capture the full picture.
Contextual Clinical Judgment
Instead of a simple checklist, we talk through how symptoms affect your work, home life, and relationships, and we interpret them against culturally expected norms to ensure accuracy.
Adaptive Diagnostic Coding
When you don’t fit neatly into classic subtypes, we use ICD‑11’s “Other Specified” or “Unspecified” categories, assigning the precise description that best represents your unique pattern.
Dual‑Framework Reporting
Your final report references both ICD‑11 and DSM‑5 criteria, guaranteeing it is recognised by GPs, employers, educational institutions, and international bodies.
British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology & National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health: ADHD Assessment Framework
This framework (Assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with clinical populations) outlines a structured, multi-source approach, including developmental history, behavioural observations, standardised rating scales, and differential diagnosis, tailored to adult contexts. It's aimed at practitioners and emphasises measurement integrity and clinical judgment.
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines
We adhere to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s NG87 guideline, which ensures your care is both thorough and personalised:
Comprehensive Assessment First
Once a person completes a full evaluation confirming DSM‑5 and ICD‑11 criteria, reviewing your mental health and life circumstances (work, study, relationships), and conducting basic physical checks (height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and cardiovascular screening), an appropriate private doctor to prescribe a trial of ADHD medication can be considered.
Multimodal Treatment
We recommend, as part of this guideline that when medication is indicated, this is always prescribed as part of a holistic plan and we highlight that this includes psychological support, behavioural strategies, and educational or occupational interventions, never medication alone.
Individualised Medication Choices
Our reports recommend, aligned to this guideline, that medication is tailored in terms of type and dosage depending on your needs, and draws on the latest evidence to select stimulants or non‑stimulants, and ensuring you have clear information on how they work.
Ongoing Review & Monitoring
Our reports advise, as part of this guideline that at least every six months a medication review takes place to reassess symptom control, side effects, and physical health markers, adjusting your treatment plan as needed to maintain safety and effectiveness.
British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) Consensus Guidelines & The Royal College of Psychiatrists Good Practice Guidance
Combined Modalities: Emphasises the value of behavioural interventions alongside medication, especially to optimise dosing, reduce side‑effects, and support adherence.
We follow the The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommendations for safe, collaborative care by ensuring that we recommend any medication trials you may seek after diagnosis are managed alongside appropriate monitoring and support. This means we recommend in our reports regular checks of physical health markers with your GP, and extra attention to special circumstances such as pregnancy or later‑life considerations. The guidance also promotes an integrated service model, linking your diagnostic assessment directly to medication prescribers who encourage ongoing psychological support, so you always have a coordinated pathway of care.