ADHD Assessment in Sutton Coldfield
Comprehensive ADHD and ASD assessment for adults and children by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist Dr Catherine Field. Cognitive profile, standardised rating scales (Conners, DIVA-5), and a full written report. No GP referral needed. Adult assessment from £450.
The NHS wait for adult ADHD assessment in the West Midlands commonly exceeds 2 years. For children, CAMHS waiting lists of 12–18 months are typical. At The Vesey, Dr Catherine Field provides gold-standard comprehensive assessments within 2–4 weeks — including cognitive testing, structured clinical interview, standardised rating scales, and a full diagnostic report accepted by schools, universities, employers, and psychiatrists.
What we assess
- Adult ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, combined)
- Child and adolescent ADHD
- DIVA-5 structured interview (adults)
- Conners 4 rating scales
- Full written diagnostic report
- Autism in adults and children
- Late-diagnosed autism in women
- ADOS-2 & ADI-R structured assessment
- Masking and camouflaging assessment
- Full written report for school and support services
- Standardised cognitive testing (WAIS-IV, WISC-V)
- Working memory, processing speed, attention
- Executive function assessment
- Learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia) screening
- DSA-ready cognitive profile report
- Dyslexia assessment
- Dyscalculia assessment
- Reading & writing profile
- School exam access arrangements report
- Anxiety disorders co-occurring with ADHD/ASD
- Differentiating anxiety-driven attentional difficulties from ADHD
- OCD screening in tic and ASD presentations
- Referral to therapy as appropriate
- Planning, organisation, task initiation
- Working memory in real-world contexts
- Time management and self-regulation
- Strategies and compensatory approaches
Procedures & transparent pricing
| Procedure | What's included | From |
|---|---|---|
| Adult ADHD assessment | Clinical interview, DIVA-5, Conners, cognitive test, written report | £450 |
| Child ADHD assessment | Parent & teacher interview, Conners 4, cognitive test, written report | £500 |
| ASD assessment | ADOS-2, ADI-R, clinical interview, written report | £550 |
| Follow-up consultation | Results discussion, recommendations, referral letters | £120 |
Prices accurate as of July 2026. All assessments include the written report. Combined ADHD and ASD assessments quoted individually.
Deep-dive: what an ADHD assessment involves
An ADHD assessment at The Vesey is a comprehensive clinical evaluation — not a questionnaire or a 30-minute chat. It gives you an accurate picture of your cognitive and attentional profile, identifies what is and is not ADHD, and provides actionable recommendations.
Clinical interview
The assessment begins with a structured clinical interview covering developmental history (birth, early milestones, school difficulties), current symptoms across home, work, and social settings, family history, and mental health history. For adults, the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults) is used — a structured interview validated for DSM-5 ADHD criteria that explores symptoms in both childhood and adulthood. For children, a structured parent interview and teacher report (via Conners 4 Teacher Form) are obtained.
Standardised rating scales
The Conners 4 rating scales provide standardised self-report (or parent/teacher report for children) scores for ADHD symptoms, executive function, and co-morbid conditions. Scores are compared to age and gender-matched normative samples, providing objective evidence to support or refute a diagnosis.
Cognitive testing
Dr Field administers standardised cognitive assessments (WAIS-IV for adults, WISC-V for children) covering IQ, working memory index, processing speed index, and sustained attention measures. This identifies cognitive strengths and weaknesses, distinguishes ADHD from learning difficulties, and provides the cognitive profile required for DSA and exam access arrangement applications.
Written report
A comprehensive written report (typically 12–20 pages) is provided within 2 weeks of the assessment. It covers: clinical background, assessment methodology, cognitive profile with standardised scores, diagnostic formulation (whether ADHD/ASD criteria are met), differential diagnoses considered, and clear recommendations for management, support and next steps.
Deep-dive: ADHD vs ASD — overlapping features and differential diagnosis
ADHD and ASD share many surface features — inattention, impulsivity, sensory sensitivities, social difficulties, emotional dysregulation — and they co-occur in approximately 50% of cases. Getting the differential diagnosis right is clinically important because, while they overlap, the understanding and management strategies differ significantly.
Key distinguishing features
| Feature | ADHD | ASD |
|---|---|---|
| Primary difficulty | Attention regulation, impulse control | Social communication, flexibility |
| Social motivation | Wants social connection, may be impulsive in social contexts | May not be motivated by social interaction in the typical way |
| Repetitive behaviours | Rare as a primary feature | Core diagnostic feature (restricted interests, routines) |
| Sensory sensitivity | Can occur, not a diagnostic criterion | Very common, part of diagnostic profile |
| Response to medication | Stimulants typically effective | Stimulants may worsen anxiety or rigidity |
Why co-occurrence matters
When ADHD and ASD co-occur, management that addresses only one condition often fails. Social communication training (helpful for ASD alone) may be ineffective if ADHD-driven impulsivity is not also addressed. ADHD medication may need to be lower-dose or chosen differently if anxiety — common in ASD — is also present. Dr Field's comprehensive assessment explicitly evaluates both presentations and makes differential and co-morbid diagnoses where evidence supports them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private ADHD assessment cost in Sutton Coldfield?
Adult ADHD assessment £450. Child ADHD assessment £500. ASD assessment £550. Follow-up with Dr Field £120. Prices include clinical interview, cognitive testing, standardised rating scales and a full written report.
What does an ADHD assessment involve?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment involves a structured clinical interview (developmental history, current functioning, symptoms across settings), standardised ADHD rating scales (Conners 4, DIVA-5 for adults), and cognitive testing covering attention, working memory and executive function. A written report is provided typically within 2 weeks.
How long does the assessment take?
An adult ADHD assessment typically requires 2.5–3 hours across one or two sessions. A child assessment may be split across sessions to account for the child's stamina and the need to gather parent and teacher information.
Can I get medication after an ADHD assessment at The Vesey?
Dr Field is a Clinical Psychologist, not a psychiatrist, so she cannot prescribe medication. If the assessment confirms ADHD and medication is appropriate, she will refer to a psychiatrist. Her assessment report is accepted by most psychiatrists and many GPs for medication initiation under shared care.
Can I use the report for school or workplace accommodations?
Yes — the written report from Dr Field is accepted by schools (for EHCPs, SEN support, exam access arrangements), universities (for Disabled Students' Allowance), and many employers for reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
Is the assessment different for adults and children?
Yes. Adult assessment focuses on self-reported symptoms, current functional impairment, and developmental history. Child assessment includes parent interview, teacher reports, observation, and age-appropriate cognitive testing. Both use standardised rating scales for the age group.
What is the difference between ADHD and ASD?
ADHD primarily affects attention regulation, impulse control and activity level. ASD involves differences in social communication, restricted interests and sensory processing. They co-occur in approximately 50% of cases, which is why a comprehensive assessment that considers both is often more clinically useful than a narrow ADHD-only evaluation.
Does insurance cover ADHD assessment?
Some insurers cover psychological assessments. Bupa and AXA Health may cover assessment where there is clinical referral. Check with your insurer before booking; we provide a full clinical report for any insurance claim.
How long is the NHS wait for ADHD assessment vs private?
NHS ADHD assessment waiting times in the West Midlands commonly exceed 18 months to 3 years for both adults and children. At The Vesey, most assessments can be booked within 2–4 weeks.
What happens if I am diagnosed with ADHD?
You will receive a comprehensive written report with the diagnosis, cognitive profile and recommendations. Dr Field will discuss these with you and advise on next steps — psychological strategies, referral to a psychiatrist for medication assessment, and guidance for school, workplace or university accommodations.
Comprehensive ADHD & ASD Assessment in Sutton Coldfield
From £450 · Available within 2–4 weeks · No GP referral needed · Full written report included.
Free reschedule with 48+ hours' notice · CQC reg. 1-13508890408