Child and adolescent ADHD assessment cost in the UK: what you pay privately (2026)

A private child ADHD assessment explores attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity through parent interviews, school information and clinical observation, and is used by families seeking an answer without waiting for NHS services.

Because we could not confirm a published price for child and adolescent ADHD assessment, this page does not offer a figure. Each provider sets its own price, so the practical task is to ask several for an itemised estimate and compare what each covers.

Parents describe the child behaviour in different settings, school provides information and the clinician meets the child. A diagnosis is made if criteria are met and day-to-day functioning is affected.

Ask what the monthly follow-up costs, how growth and blood pressure are monitored and whether your GP will share care.

A child ADHD assessment draws on parents, school and the child. Questionnaires such as those completed by teachers help show whether symptoms occur in more than one setting, which is required for a diagnosis.

Other conditions, including autism, anxiety, sleep problems and learning difficulties, can look similar or co-exist, so a good clinician considers them. Ask how the report will be shared with school and how medication, if recommended, would be started and monitored.

A single guide figure for child and adolescent ADHD assessment can mislead, because the final amount depends on factors like these.

• Appointment structure: Psychiatry-UK lists an initial discussion (90 minutes) at £540 and an ADHD appointment (90 minutes) at £700.

• School information: teacher questionnaires and reports.

• Clinician: a child and adolescent psychiatrist or paediatrician.

• Medication follow-up: monthly titration fees of £80 are listed at that provider after diagnosis.

• Report and letters.

Providers define a package differently, so two quotes are only comparable once you line up what each covers. The table lists what is typically in and what is often billed separately for this procedure.

Insurers generally exclude ADHD assessment for children.

Insurers often agree a procedure code and a fee ceiling in advance. Self-pay patients should ask whether instalment finance is offered and what the total repayable would be, as the representative rate and terms differ by lender.

NHS ADHD assessment for children is via GP, school or paediatric referral, with long waits in many areas, and Right to Choose may apply in England.

NHS care is free at the point of use, and for non-urgent consultant-led treatment the standard is 18 weeks from referral. You also have the right to choose where you are referred in England. Local waits differ, so ask what applies near you.

There is no physical recovery. If medication starts, reviews and monitoring of growth, blood pressure and pulse follow.

No one plans for things to go wrong, but a short conversation about extra costs now can save difficulty later.

• Treatment, if recommended, continues over months and years with regular reviews, so budget beyond the assessment fee.

• Behaviour that is new, severe or associated with other concerns needs a broader assessment through the NHS or a specialist service.

Quotes only compare fairly when they cover the same things. Put these questions to every provider you approach.

• Which appointments are in the quoted price?

• What are the monthly review fees?

• Will the GP be asked to share care?

• How is school information gathered?

• Will I receive one price covering the hospital, the consultant and the anaesthetic, or several bills from different parties?