If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD, getting tested does not have to mean joining a waiting list or travelling to a clinic. Online ADHD assessments conducted by GMC-registered consultant psychiatrists offer the same clinical standard as in-person appointments, often providing faster access to specialist assessment than traditional referral pathways, without the need for a GP referral.
Key Takeaways
The short version
- Online ADHD assessments in the UK are conducted via secure video consultation by GMC-registered consultant psychiatrists.
- They follow the same NICE-aligned clinical standards as in-person assessments.
- No GP referral is needed to book a private online ADHD assessment.
- Following assessment and medication stabilisation, a Shared Care Agreement may allow your GP - whether NHS or private - to take over routine prescribing.
- Online assessments are available for both adults and children.
What is an online ADHD assessment?
An online ADHD assessment is a comprehensive clinical evaluation conducted via secure video consultation. It is not a self-report quiz or a screening questionnaire. It is a full diagnostic appointment carried out by a qualified consultant psychiatrist, following the same structured process and clinical standards as an in-person assessment.
During the appointment, the psychiatrist conducts a detailed clinical interview covering your symptoms, personal and family history, how difficulties present across different areas of your life, and any co-occurring conditions that may need to be considered. Before the appointment, you may need to complete pre-assessment questionnaires that help the clinician build a clear picture ahead of the session.
The same clinical standard, without the wait
Research consistently shows that online psychiatric consultations are as clinically effective as in-person appointments for assessment and diagnosis. Many patients find that attending from the familiarity of their own home allows them to speak more openly, leading to a more accurate clinical picture.
How an online ADHD assessment works at Online Psychiatry
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1Book your appointment online
Select a time that suits you from the available slots. No GP referral is required. Appointments with a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist are typically available within a few days. If your situation is urgent, you can book an appointment within 48 hours. -
2Complete your pre-assessment questionnaires
Before your appointment, you will receive secure online questionnaires covering your symptoms, history, and daily functioning. For children's assessments, school observation forms are also included. -
3Attend your video consultation
Log in from any private location using a phone, tablet, or computer. Your consultant psychiatrist conducts a comprehensive clinical interview, typically lasting 75 minutes. At Online Psychiatry, the first 45 minutes are conducted with the patient and the final 30 minutes with a parent or carer. -
4Receive your diagnosis and report
Following the initial assessment, a feedback consultation booking is scheduled. In this appointment your clinician will share with you all the details and outcome of the assessment as well as a comprehensive written report with all the findings. -
5Begin treatment and ongoing support
If medication is recommended, we suggest booking follow-up appointments so your consultant psychiatrist can oversee the titration process and ensure your treatment is optimised. Once your treatment is stable, a Shared Care Agreement may be arranged with your GP for ongoing prescribing.
What the assessment covers
A comprehensive ADHD assessment goes far beyond a checklist of symptoms. The consultant psychiatrist conducting the assessment will explore multiple dimensions of your experience to reach an accurate clinical conclusion.
Areas covered in your online ADHD assessment at Online Psychiatry
- ✓Current symptoms across inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive dimensions, and how they affect daily functioning.
- ✓Evidence of difficulties in childhood, even where no diagnosis was made at the time.
- ✓Impact on work or education, relationships, and everyday life management.
- ✓Personal and family mental health history.
- ✓Screening for co-occurring conditions including anxiety, depression, autism, and sleep disorders.
- ✓Physical health considerations relevant to potential medication.
- ✓Your goals, strengths, and what support would make the most meaningful difference to your life.
Online Assessments Overview vs in-person ADHD assessment: is there a difference?
| Factor | Online assessment |
|---|---|
| Clinical standard | Identical. Both follow NICE-aligned diagnostic frameworks conducted by GMC-registered consultant psychiatrists. |
| Waiting time | Online appointments are typically available within 48 hours, significantly sooner than standard referral pathways. |
| GP referral | Not required. You can book directly without going through your GP first. |
| Location | Attend from any private location using a phone, tablet, or computer. No travel required. |
| Written report | A full clinical report is provided following the assessment, accepted by GPs for shared care purposes. |
| Medication and follow-up | If medication is prescribed, titration and follow-up appointments can be managed online by the treating consultant psychiatrist. |
Who is an online ADHD assessment suitable for?
Online assessments are available for both adults and children, and are suitable for a wide range of presentations. You do not need a prior diagnosis, a GP letter, or any previous contact with mental health services to book.
Adults
Never been assessed before
Many adults reach their thirties, forties, or beyond before recognising that their difficulties with focus, organisation, or emotional regulation may have an underlying cause. An online assessment provides a clear, expert answer without disruption to your daily schedule.
Adults
Previously diagnosed elsewhere
People with an existing ADHD diagnosis may seek ongoing medication management, a second opinion, or support with arranging a Shared Care Agreement through a qualified psychiatrist.
Children and adolescents
School-age children and adolescents
Assessments for young people are typically carried out by clinicians with expertise in child and adolescent mental health. They usually involve parents or carers and incorporate information from school, where appropriate, to build a comprehensive clinical picture.
Women and girls
Often missed by standard pathways
ADHD in women and girls is significantly underdiagnosed. Inattentive symptoms and masking behaviours mean many women reach adulthood without ever receiving the support they need. A comprehensive assessment should be sensitive to these presentations and consider how ADHD may present differently across individuals.
Online ADHD assessment and co-occurring conditions
ADHD frequently co-occurs with other conditions, and distinguishing between them requires specialist clinical expertise that a questionnaire or screening tool cannot provide. A comprehensive online assessment ensures that the full picture is considered.
Commonly co-occurring
Anxiety
Up to 50% of adults with ADHD also experience anxiety. Symptoms overlap significantly, and misattributing one condition for the other can delay effective treatment.
Frequently missed
Autism spectrum
conditions
ADHD and autism frequently co-occur. An assessment by a clinician experienced in both conditions can help ensure an accurate differential diagnosis.
Often linked
Sleep disorders and learning difficulties
Sleep difficulties are both a symptom of ADHD and worsened by it. Dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties also occur more frequently in people with ADHD.
After your online ADHD assessment
Receiving a diagnosis is the beginning of a clearer path, not the end of the process. Following an assessment, ongoing follow-up appointments may be recommended to monitor progress and adjust treatment where needed.
If medication is part of the treatment plan, the treating psychiatrist oversees the titration process through regular online follow-up appointments. Once medication is stable, a Shared Care Agreement may be arranged with the patient's GP, allowing them to take over routine prescribing while the psychiatrist remains available for specialist input.
Acceptance of a Shared Care Agreement is always at the discretion of the individual GP practice. The assessing clinician or service should provide the documentation required to support the request and discuss alternative options if shared care is not available.
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