How do I get adult son tested for ADHD

[Pippetypoppity]

Exactly this really. Son is 18 and struggling with concentration and organisation at A level college. NHS waiting list will be too long so how do I get him tested and get help now.? Do they offer medication that helps straight away? Is any other help on offer? I don’t know where to start!

Support at college is based on needs, not diagnosis. Have you &/or DS spoken to the college?

If DS wants an assessment and affording ongoing private prescriptions will be an issue, you should check the GP will take on shared care first. Not all will. If diagnosed medication can be offered (check the private provider prescribes medication as well as assesses).

Who ever you use you need to use someone that the nhs /education settings etc will trust. I used https://psychiatry-uk.com/ via the nhs for asd assessment but they do private too. Was 13 months from referral to diagnosis. They do adhd too.
Can you speak to the college senco department to see what they advice (as they'd need to support the diagnosis process)?

Does he want to be assessed?

Yes he’s very keen to be assessed.

Hi sorry for not answering sooner I thought comments has stopped. Thanks for replying. Yes he wants very much to he assessed. Hes talked to someone in student services in college but it’s like rolling a wheelbarrow with a square wheel. That was 10 days ago and nothings followed. I’ll get back to them myself. I just want to know who to go to for the assessment and how to ask. We can pay privately.

Student services at a college won't be able to refer him for an ADHD test, and is unlikely to be allowed to recommend anyone to do an assessment. My son is currently part way through an assessment with a psychologist, although if he is considering medication if diagnosed it's probably better going with a psychiatrist who can then prescribe. Please don't go down the super cheap online route like ADHD 360 as with ADHD anyone with any sort of medical qualification can technically diagnose ADHD and still meet the NICE guidelines, ADHD 360 have been known to use pharmacists to do their assessments. I would look around at local companies, check out the qualifications of the people doing the assessments and how long they take. Do they have a detailed discussion and history as well as the QB test or are they largely going to rely on questionnaires? Also if going private and considering taking medication if diagnosed he may want to discuss with the GP if they will offer shared care after. Lots of info online such as https://adhduk.co.uk/private-diagnosis/

Right to choose NHS

Thanks so much for the above. That is super useful.