Free ADHD test for children

What the questions ask about your child

The questions are about how your child behaves day to day. ADHD symptoms fall into three groups: inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness [2]. Most children with ADHD show signs of both the inattentive and the hyperactive-impulsive type, while some show only one [2].

In everyday terms, the three groups look like this:

• Inattentiveness: staying with a task, and taking in what’s been said.
• Hyperactivity: how still or busy your child is, in their body and in their talk.
• Impulsiveness: acting or speaking before thinking it through.

The test also asks about mood, irritability and getting into trouble at school. Think about a typical week, at home and at school, rather than one especially good or bad day. If a teacher has raised concerns, keep their comments in mind as you answer. School often sees a side of your child that home doesn’t.

What your child’s result means

Your child’s score runs from 0 to 48. The screen then tells you whether it shows low to medium, medium to high or high indicators of ADHD traits. Treat it as a prompt to think about what to do next. NICE guidance on ADHD says rating scales are useful added tools, but a diagnosis shouldn’t rest on them alone [3]. A diagnosis also needs symptoms that happen often and cause at least moderate difficulty [3].

Your answers describe one part of that picture, from one point of view. The symptoms must also show up in two or more important settings, such as home and school [3]. The same guidance advises against screening every child for ADHD in schools [3]. A questionnaire like this gives a parent an early look at what they’ve noticed at home.

In an assessment at AuDHD Psychiatry, the clinician looks at the whole picture: development, school reports and other possible reasons for the signs.

Everyday signs to watch for alongside the result

Signs of ADHD usually start before a child turns 12 [2]. Common signs in a school-age child include [2]:

• being easily distracted.
• finding it hard to listen or follow instructions.
• forgetting everyday tasks.
• fidgeting, or tapping their hands and feet.
• finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting.

ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in girls, possibly because inattentive signs are harder to spot [2]. Tiredness, anxiety or stress can look much the same, and a GP may also consider autism, Tourette’s or anxiety [2].

A fuller list sits on our page about signs of ADHD in children.

From the test to an assessment for your child

You can reach an ADHD assessment for your child through the NHS or privately. On the NHS, start with your child’s teacher, who will usually involve the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) [2]. If you’re still worried, see your child’s GP [2]. Your GP decides whether a referral is needed. If difficulties carry on with at least moderate impact, NICE guidance says a specialist should see your child [3]. That might be a child psychiatrist or a paediatrician.

Privately, AuDHD Psychiatry runs a child ADHD assessment for ages 6 to 17, online and without a GP referral. It’s one appointment with your child, and a parent can be present. You’ll get an outcome letter the next day and the full report within two weeks. If you’ve also noticed signs of autism, a child assessment for ADHD and autism together covers both across four appointments.

Before choosing, you can talk it through on a free 15-minute call, which is for information only and doesn’t assess your child. You’ll find the price of each assessment on our fees page.