Of all the neurodivergent conditions, we believe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the least understood. Members of our team have specific expertise in assessing and working with people with ADHD. We also have lived experience within our team, which has led to a deeper understanding of the experiences of a person with ADHD.
What we have discovered is that ADHD is not just a condition that impacts the way a person’s brain functions, but there are often a range of secondary problems that result from the person trying to navigate through life with a brain that works a little differently from those around them. So, when we provide an ADHD assessment, we do not just consider the primary symptoms that are listed in the diagnostic assessment manual, but we also consider the impact these have had on the person and any secondary problems that have resulted. This is called the formulation approach.
Being diagnosed with ADHD can uncover a range of emotions, from relief and understanding, to sorrow and loss. Often, when those feelings have subsided, people find the diagnosis helpful because they can focus on managing things differently in the future.
We think it is important to spend time with someone after diagnosis to help them through this process and consider their future options.
Our psychological approach to ADHD assessment, therefore, provides a diagnostic assessment of ADHD, consideration of related psychological problems, a collaborative formulation to help make sense of how ADHD has impacted life, and a post-assessment session to make sense of the diagnosis and discuss practical plans for the future.