Child & Adolescent ADHD Assessment
Aged 9-17 years
Start Your Child’s ADHD Assessment
Our Assessment Approach
We understand that seeking answers about your child’s ADHD symptoms can be complicated, which is why our assessments evaluate both ADHD and other conditions that might affect their wellbeing. This ensures your child receives the most accurate diagnosis and appropriate support for their needs.Â
Initial Assessment Process For Adhd Diagnoses
Signs Your Child May Have ADHD
Every child is different, and many children will occasionally display behaviours such as forgetfulness, restlessness or difficulty concentrating. However, when these behaviours are persistent, occur across different settings and begin to affect daily life, it may be worth considering an ADHD assessment.
Common signs of ADHD in children and adolescents may include:
- Difficulty paying attention in school or during everyday activities
- Frequently becoming distracted or struggling to stay focused
- Forgetting instructions, homework or daily tasks
- Difficulty organising schoolwork or personal belongings
- Excessive fidgeting, restlessness or difficulty sitting still
- Acting impulsively without considering consequences
- Interrupting conversations or finding it difficult to wait their turn
- Frequently losing items such as books, school materials or personal belongings
- Difficulty managing emotions, frustration or disappointment
- Challenges maintaining friendships or social relationships
It is important to remember that experiencing some of these behaviours does not necessarily mean a child has ADHD. Many factors can influence behaviour, concentration and emotional wellbeing. A comprehensive assessment helps determine whether ADHD may be contributing to these challenges and whether additional support or treatment may be beneficial.
Children with ADHD often possess many positive qualities, including creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm and strong problem-solving abilities. An assessment is not simply about identifying difficulties, but about gaining a better understanding of how a child learns, thinks and experiences the world so that appropriate support can be provided where needed.
Child ADHD Assessment & Diagnosis Information
Neuromed provides child and adolescent ADHD assessments for families across Ireland. The majority of our assessments take place online over Zoom, with in-person appointments available at our Galway clinic. The information below answers some of the most common questions parents have about ADHD assessment and diagnosis.
Both of our child and adolescent consultant psychiatrists are based in Galway and hold in-person clinic days at Neuromed Clinic in Galway a few times a month, depending on demand. If you would like your child to be seen in person, you must request this from the outset, otherwise, we will assume you wish to have your child assessed over Zoom.
Please note that we do not offer in-person ADHD assessments, for adults or children, at our Dublin clinic, as it caters to a completely different service.
When Should You Consider An ADHD Assessment?
Many parents seek an ADHD assessment after noticing ongoing difficulties with attention, concentration, impulsivity or emotional regulation that appear to be affecting their child’s daily life. Whilst all children may experience these behaviours from time to time, ADHD symptoms are typically persistent, occur across different settings and may begin to impact education, relationships or overall wellbeing.
You may wish to consider an ADHD assessment if your child:
- Is consistently struggling to concentrate at school or at home
- Finds it difficult to follow instructions or complete tasks
- Appears unusually restless, impulsive or easily distracted
- Frequently loses items or forgets important information
- Experiences difficulties with friendships or social situations
- Is finding school increasingly challenging despite appropriate support
- Has been identified by teachers or healthcare professionals as potentially requiring further assessment
Parents seeking ADHD assessments in Dublin, Galway and throughout Ireland often seek clarity about whether ADHD may be contributing to these challenges and what support options may be available.
How Is ADHD Diagnosed In Children?
ADHD is diagnosed through a comprehensive clinical assessment carried out by an experienced specialist. There is no single test that can diagnose ADHD. Instead, diagnosis is based on gathering information from multiple sources and assessing how symptoms affect a child’s day-to-day functioning.
At Neuromed Clinic, our Consultant Psychiatrists provide comprehensive child and adolescent ADHD assessments for families attending our Dublin and Galway clinics. The assessment process includes a detailed review of developmental history, educational experiences, behavioural patterns and current symptoms.
Information from parents, schools and other relevant professionals may also be considered where appropriate. The assessment explores whether symptoms are consistent with ADHD and whether other factors may be contributing to the child’s presentation.
This comprehensive approach helps ensure an accurate diagnosis and supports the development of appropriate treatment and support recommendations tailored to the child’s individual needs.
Treatment & Ongoing Care
Consultation With Psychiatrist To Discuss Treatment Options
Following diagnosis, there is an option to book a one-hour consultation with a Child & Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist. The cost for this additional consultation is €500 and the purpose is to explore treatment options including medication. If medication is being considered as a treatment pathway, your child’s GP must complete a medical evaluation before the consultation – we will provide detailed requirements for this evaluation. During the consultation, the psychiatrist will discuss the medication pathway in detail, while also incorporating valuable educational support strategies.
Follow-Up Care
Following best practice guidelines, including those established by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), medication management requires careful ongoing monitoring. Initially, finding the right medication dosage for your child may require 2 to 3 appointments for proper titration and stabilisation, with each titration appointment costing €200.
Once the medication has been stabilised, regular follow-up care continues through scheduled 30 minute online appointments every six months, at a cost of €200 per review appointment. These specialised follow-up consultations are essential for monitoring potential side effects, tracking any changes in weight (to determine if medication needs to be adjusted), and measuring blood pressure. This systematic approach to medication management ensures your child’s safety and optimal treatment effectiveness while following established clinical standards.
Prescription Services
Prescriptions for ADHD medication are subject to strict regulations as these medications are classified as controlled substances. Initially, your child’s prescriptions will be issued monthly until their medication and dosage have been stabilised. Once stabilised, prescriptions can be issued outside of doctor appointments for up to three months (€50), however, due to legal requirements governing controlled substances, pharmacies must dispense these medications one month at a time – they cannot legally provide multiple months of medication in a single dispensing.
All prescription requests must be submitted through our website using the dedicated request form. When requesting your child’s prescription, you must include their current heart rate and blood pressure readings on the form. These vital signs can be measured either at home using a blood pressure monitor or at your local pharmacy free of charge – you don’t need to visit your GP practice specifically for these measurements. This regular monitoring of vital signs is an essential part of your child’s ongoing ADHD medication management.
External Diagnosis Policy
Neuromed clinic only accepts ADHD diagnoses from our own clinical team and HSE Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services. While we value external psychological assessments, we require our own comprehensive psychiatric evaluation before providing treatment through medication. This policy follows NICE guidelines, which emphasises the importance of a comprehensive mental health assessment to identify or rule out conditions that may present similarly to ADHD, such as anxiety and PTSD. This approach ensures appropriate and safe medication prescription while providing optimal care for our patients rather than treating ADHD symptoms in isolation.
Additional Information
Important Service Information:
Our practice focuses exclusively on scheduled ADHD management services rather than acute care delivery. In situations where your child needs immediate support, requires intensive intervention protocols, or would benefit from in-person clinical care, we may recommend transitioning their treatment to local mental health service providers to ensure they receive the most appropriate and timely assistance for their specific needs.
Insurance Coverage:
Dr. Jennifer Keane and Dr. Emma Beatty are registered medical doctors and Consultant Psychiatrists. Dr Jennifer Keane is fully accredited with Laya Health Insurance. For all other insurance providers, your receipt will include the relevant Irish Medical Council registration number required to support your claim. We recommend checking with your insurance provider before booking an appointment to confirm your level of cover for consultant psychiatrist services.
If your child already has an ADHD diagnosis
My child was diagnosed elsewhere and I just need medication - can you simply write a prescription?
Unfortunately, no. ADHD medications are controlled substances, and our consultant psychiatrists must take full clinical and legal responsibility for any prescription. This means they cannot rely on an external assessment alone and must confirm the diagnosis personally before prescribing. In practice, this involves a comprehensive evaluation rather than a single quick appointment.
Why is a full assessment necessary if my child has already been diagnosed?
Does this mean you are questioning or overturning my child's existing diagnosis?
What if my child was diagnosed several years ago?
Whose ADHD diagnoses do you accept?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs an ADHD assessment?
Many children display behaviours such as forgetfulness, restlessness or difficulty concentrating from time to time. However, if these behaviours are persistent, occur across different settings and are affecting school, home life or social relationships, an ADHD assessment may help determine whether additional support is needed.
As a trusted, consultant-led service, we are regularly recommended to parents by schools. If you are unsure whether an assessment is right for your child, our team will be happy to talk through your circumstances and advise on the best next steps.
How is ADHD diagnosed in children?
At Neuromed Clinic, every child and adolescent ADHD assessment is carried out by a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, either Dr Jennifer Keane or Dr Emma Beatty. As highly trained specialists in child mental health, they have the expertise to assess ADHD alongside other developmental, emotional and behavioural conditions that may present with similar symptoms.
There is no single test that can diagnose ADHD. Instead, diagnosis is based on a comprehensive clinical assessment that considers your child’s developmental history, current symptoms and how these affect their day-to-day functioning.
As part of the assessment, we gather information from parents and your child’s school, as understanding how your child presents across both home and educational settings is an essential part of building a complete and accurate picture. Where appropriate, information from other professionals involved in your child’s care may also be considered.
This thorough assessment helps ensure an accurate diagnosis while allowing our consultant psychiatrists to develop personalised treatment and support recommendations tailored to your child’s individual needs.
Do you provide child ADHD assessments in Dublin and Galway?
We provide online ADHD assessments for children and adolescents throughout Ireland, and we also offer in-person assessments at Neuromed Clinic, Galway.
If you would like your child to be assessed in person at our Galway location, you must specifically request this. Otherwise, we will assume you are happy for your child to be assessed through our online platform. Please note that in-person appointments are held on selected clinic days each month, so the waiting time for an in-person assessment is longer than for an online appointment.
Please note that we do not offer ADHD assessments for children, adolescents or adults at our Dublin clinic, as it caters to a completely different service.
What happens after an ADHD diagnosis?
Following diagnosis, treatment recommendations are tailored to the individual needs of your child. Depending on the assessment findings, these may include medication, educational supports, practical strategies and ongoing clinical review where appropriate.
Beyond the assessment itself, your child can also benefit from the wider team we have at Neuromed:
Our occupational therapist, who also works with CAMHS, takes a limited number of private referrals from Neuromed.
Our study skills coach has a background in psychology and experience working with neurodiversity, supporting children and adolescents to develop effective learning and organisational strategies.
Our mindfulness therapist works with parents of children with ADHD, offering support to those caring for a child with ADHD. Please note she works with parents only and does not see anyone under the age of 18.
We also have a social worker joining our team over the coming weeks, who previously worked with CAMHS.
Together, this means that following diagnosis, your child and your family can be supported by a broad, experienced team – not just through medication, but across the practical, educational and emotional aspects of living well with ADHD.
Will my child's school be involved in the assessment process?
Yes. Input from your child’s school is an essential part of the assessment. Because ADHD affects how a child functions across different settings, we need to understand how your child presents in the classroom as well as at home. As part of the process, we will require school reports, questionnaires or feedback from teachers, as this information is central to building a complete and accurate picture of your child.
We will provide any forms or questionnaires that your child’s school needs to complete, so you will know exactly what is required and what to pass on to their teachers.
What age can a child be assessed for ADHD?
Neuromed provides ADHD assessments for children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years. We can also consider children from the age of 8, with each case reviewed individually by one of our Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Dr Jennifer Keane or Dr Emma Beatty, to determine whether an assessment is appropriate at that age.
If you are unsure whether an assessment may be suitable for your child, our team will be happy to discuss your circumstances and advise on the most appropriate next steps.
Can ADHD medication help children and adolescents?
Do I need a referral for a child ADHD assessment?
Looking for an ADHD Assessment?
Whether you’re looking for an ADHD assessment for your child or would like to learn more about ADHD assessments for adults, our experienced team is here to help. Learn more about our Adult ADHD Assessment service, visit our Dublin Clinic or Galway Clinic pages, or contact us to discuss the most appropriate next steps.
