ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment for Children

ADHD assessment

An ADHD journey often begins with a lightbulb moment. For some families, this may be when a teacher explains the difficulties a child may be having in class. For others, it may be when you become aware that your child may struggle and need assistance in ways that their peers don’t, especially in school. For others, it may be watching something on television, reading an article, a social media post or becoming aware of someone you know being diagnosed with ADHD, that prompts your lightbulb moment.

Whatever your journey, when you have decided to know whether your child has ADHD or not, due to its complexity an ADHD assessment requires expertise in child neurodevelopment.

Regarding costs, please note that assessments for ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions are very time and resource intensive. These conditions overlap in many cases and require significant expertise in assessment. 

At Ghosh Medical we have Dr Rashad Nawaz. He is a Consultant Paediatrician with a long and broad experience of child health and development and now specialising in ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr Nawaz follows NICE guidance on ADHD assessment and applies a holistic approach, seeing every child as a whole rather than a single symptom to be treated.

Dr Nawaz views ADHD within the context of the neurodiversity paradigm and the natural diversity in how children's brains work and function with the endless possibilities and untapped potential each one possesses, rather than something that is 'puzzling', 'piece missing' or needs 'fixing'.​

He is keen on working with parents and professionals in providing the right evidence-based support and strategies, and occasionally medication, to help children learn how to navigate their own unique and powerful minds, transforming potential chaos into a symphony of productivity and innovation.

Dr Nawaz’s assessment and report are comprehensive, holistic, and fully compliant with standards set by NICE and expected by local NHS services.

Read feedback on Dr Nawaz at https://www.iwantgreatcare.org/doctors/dr-rashad-nawaz

ADHD Assessment Process

The age referral criteria is between 6 to 18 years.

• If you want to go ahead with a formal ADHD assessment, then this will require gathering as much information as possible about your child before seeing Dr Nawaz in clinic. This will include detailed health, development and learning need questionnaires to be completed by parent and teacher and a QbTest. These will be shared and booked when you call.
• The assessment will consider and evaluate factors such as family / schooling / lifestyle/ health and co-existing conditions on your child. This holistic and detailed neurodevelopmental assessment is vitally important because, although getting a timely diagnosis of ADHD is important, it is also crucial that a child or young person isn’t wrongly diagnosed with ADHD. As such, an ADHD assessment is not a simple or tick box exercise and should never be diagnosed on the basis of just a behavioural checklist.
• Depending on evidence gathered and complexity, Dr Nawaz will then aim to give his opinion on diagnosis at that first appointment. However, in some cases, a second or third appointment may be required if Dr Nawaz requires additional information or assessments, for example psychology, psychiatry, speech/language therapist and occupational therapist.
• If diagnosed with ADHD, Dr Nawaz will then tailor a treatment plan to your child's specific needs. Not all children with ADHD require medication but if indicated and agreed, Dr Nawaz will then issue a personalised prescription for your child's medication.
• If, however, you just wanted to discuss the possibility of ADHD and any other concerns, then the first step will be booking an appointment with Dr Nawaz. At this point there is no commitment to further assessments or tests.
• Dr Nawaz and the team understand that there is no 'one size fits all' solution for supporting children with ADHD, and that's why we are committed to making sure every step of the process puts your child and their needs front and centre, with a unique, tailored patient led approach.
• Dr Nawaz is also happy to see young people with an established diagnosis of ADHD that now wish to considermedication. However, please note that Dr Nawaz will need to ensure the diagnosis is valid first by interviewing you and your child in clinic and reviewing all the primary assessment reports.
• Dr Nawaz is also happy to see children for screening assessments for autism, dyspraxia as well as other concerns regarding development and behaviour.

Qb Testing For ADHD In Liverpool

The QbTest is the industry standard screening test for ADHD. It is a 20-minute computer test that measures the three core symptoms of ADHD: hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. The QbTest reduces delays in the diagnostic process, lowers the chances of an over or under diagnosis, and minimises the possibility of age or gender bias, so you can access better treatment faster. 

Why get a stand-alone QbTest in Liverpool?

• A QbTest cannot be used alone to diagnose or exclude ADHD, this requires a formal holistic assessment by an experienced clinician. However, a QbTest is very good in indicating whether ADHD is likely or not. A QbTest, may then help you to decide whether to go ahead for a formal ADHD assessment with Dr Nawaz.
• Alternatively, you may simply want a QbTest for yourself, or to take to your NHS GP to be referred to a specialist locally. As Dr Nawaz doesn't see adult patients, this may be something for you if you're looking for a diagnosis later in life. However, if you are booking a QbTest for a child, we strongly recommend seeing Dr Nawaz for your follow up. Not only is he one of the best paediatricians in the country, but the continuity of care from seeing the same clinician from start to finish will provide faster, higher quality treatment and minimise the risks of a misdiagnosis or receiving the wrong treatment.