I think my child has ADHD — what should I do?

Start by noting specific examples of the behaviours that worry you, then speak to your child's teacher or SENCO and ask your GP for a referral. Only an NHS specialist (paediatrician or psychiatrist) can diagnose ADHD.

First, write down what you are seeing

Before any appointment, keep a short, dated note of the behaviours that concern you and where they happen. ADHD is diagnosed on a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity that is causing real difficulty in more than one setting (home and school, not just one), so examples from both matter. Note when it started, how often it happens, and the impact: homework not finished, friendships strained, getting hurt through impulsiveness. This is the evidence the specialist will weigh, and it stops the conversation drifting into vague impressions.

Talk to school and to your GP

Tell your child's teacher or the school's SENCO what you have noticed and ask what support they can put in place now. Your child does not need a diagnosis to get help: schools can offer SEN Support straight away while you wait. In parallel, book a GP appointment and ask for a referral for an ADHD assessment. A GP cannot diagnose ADHD, but they are the gateway to the NHS pathway: under NICE guidance the diagnosis is made by a specialist (a community paediatrician for younger children, or a child and adolescent psychiatrist), after a period of watchful waiting and an assessment that usually gathers information from school too.

Take your dated notes to both meetings. If the GP is hesitant, you can say you are requesting a referral for an ADHD assessment and ask for the reason in writing if they decline.

If the NHS wait is long

NHS waiting times for a children's ADHD assessment vary widely and can run from several months to a few years. In England, you can ask your GP to refer your child to a different NHS-funded provider under Right to Choose, as long as the provider holds an NHS contract for under-18s. This route is often faster, though some local NHS budgets in 2026 have paused or limited new Right to Choose referrals, so check current availability with the provider first. Right to Choose does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

If you are stuck, the routes that help most are:

• Your local IPSEA or SENDIASS service for free advice on school support and assessments.
• ADHD UK for a plain-English guide to the Right to Choose referral process.

This page is general information, not clinical or legal advice.