ASSESSMENTS FOR ADULTS
For many adults, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not a new presence, it is a pattern that has quietly shaped how they work, relate to others and feel about themselves, often long before anyone gave it a name. It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, yet it remains frequently misunderstood, underdiagnosed and, particularly in women, easily missed.
Our assessment process is thorough, evidence-based and conducted with discretion, considering developmental history, current functioning and the wider impact on daily life, because a meaningful diagnosis requires real depth of understanding rather than a surface-level evaluation. The pathway is self-referring and open from age 17.5, and runs in two stages so that a full diagnostic assessment happens only when it is clinically right for you.
CHILD & ADOLESCENT ASSESSMENT
Under 17.5s follow a separate multidisciplinary pathway, with reports written for schools and educational accommodations.
WHAT BRINGS ADULTS TO THE SOKE
Many adults come here because they want to understand whether ADHD may be affecting their life. You may be struggling with:
Focus
Procrastination
Organisation
Motivation
Restlessness
Impulsivity
Emotional regulation
Relationships
Work or study demands
Burnout
Feeling overwhelmed
by everyday tasks
At The Soke, we do not look at ADHD in isolation
We consider the whole person, including your mental health, developmental history, relationships, work life, emotional wellbeing, strengths, challenges and any other neurodevelopmental traits, such as Autism. Our aim is to help you understand yourself more clearly and to create a practical plan for support.
UNDERSTANDING ADHD
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ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition. This means the brain develops and processes information differently.
ADHD can affect attention, concentration, planning, time management, impulse control, motivation, emotional regulation, activity levels and task completion.
ADHD is not laziness, poor discipline or lack of intelligence. Many people with ADHD are capable, bright and hardworking, but may still find everyday organisation, focus and consistency unusually difficult.
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ADHD is the current diagnostic term. ADD is an older term that people still use informally.
When someone says “ADD”, they often mean ADHD without obvious hyperactivity. This is usually called ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation.
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ADHD can look different from person to person. Some adults mainly struggle with focus and organisation. Others experience restlessness, impulsivity or emotional intensity. Many experience a mixture.
Inattention may show up as losing focus easily, starting tasks but struggling to finish them, procrastinating even when something matters, missing deadlines, forgetting appointments or admin, avoiding boring or detailed tasks, making careless mistakes, misplacing things, feeling overwhelmed by planning, or struggling to follow long instructions.
Impulsivity may show up as interrupting people, speaking before thinking, making quick decisions that are later regretted, spending impulsively, becoming impatient quickly, struggling to wait, reacting strongly in the moment, or finding it hard to pause before acting.
Hyperactivity in adults is not always obvious. It may feel more internal than physical. A person may fidget, feel unable to relax, feel mentally “switched on” all the time, need constant stimulation, feel uncomfortable doing nothing, work best under pressure, swing between boredom and hyperfocus, or feel driven by urgency rather than routine.
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Adult ADHD is often less visible than childhood ADHD. It may show up as chronic procrastination, inconsistent performance, underachievement despite ability, difficulty managing admin, emotional reactivity, burnout, poor sleep, relationship strain, difficulty keeping routines, feeling constantly behind, or relying on last-minute pressure.
Some adults feel they are working twice as hard as other people just to keep up. Over time, this can affect confidence, self-esteem and mental health.
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ADHD in women is often missed. This may be because symptoms are less disruptive and more internal, girls often learn to mask early, difficulties may be mistaken for anxiety or depression, women may appear organised while struggling privately, motherhood can make ADHD difficulties more visible, and hormonal changes may affect ADHD symptoms.
Some women recognise their own ADHD only after a child is assessed. Others notice symptoms worsening around premenstrual changes, pregnancy, postnatal life, perimenopause or menopause.
At The Soke, ADHD can be considered alongside wider mental health, emotional wellbeing and hormonal factors where relevant.
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Some adults with ADHD look as though they are coping well. They may have strong academic results, demanding jobs, successful careers, busy family lives, high standards and a polished social presentation.
Behind the scenes, however, they may rely on overworking, anxiety, perfectionism, rigid systems, avoidance, last-minute panic, exhaustion or other people compensating for them. This is sometimes called masking. Masking can delay diagnosis and increase burnout.
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ADHD can overlap with, or sit alongside, other difficulties. These may include anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep problems, trauma, OCD, substance use, emotional dysregulation, eating difficulties and Autism.
This is one reason why The Soke starts with a broader neurodevelopmental screening rather than moving straight to a diagnosis. Sometimes ADHD is the right explanation. Sometimes another difficulty may be affecting concentration, motivation or processing speed. Sometimes both are true.
THE PATHWAY & FEES
Every pathway begins with Stage 1. Available from age 17.5.
Stage 1 · Neurodevelopmental Screening
Clinical Psychologist · 60 minutes · questionnaires from you and an informant reviewed beforehand · findings are reviewed in a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting · a recommendation regarding the next stage of assessment provided within 1–2 weeks
£900
Stage 2 · Diagnostic ADHD Assessment (if clinically recommended)
Consultant Psychiatrist · DIVA-2 structured interview across adulthood and childhood · 60 minutes · comprehensive report usually within 2–3 weeks
£1,025
Stage 2 · Diagnostic Autism Assessment (if clinically recommended)
Clinical Psychologist · ADOS-2 · 90 minutes · report plus a 30-minute feedback session · clients may proceed to either assessment, or both, depending on the Stage 1 recommendation
£1,845
POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER STAGE 1
Following the Neurodevelopmental Screening Assessment (Stage 1), the team may recommend proceeding to Stage 2, which might include a Diagnostic ADHD Assessment, a Diagnostic Autism Assessment, or a combined ADHD and Autism assessment.
However, a diagnostic assessment is not always the most helpful immediate next step. Difficulties associated with anxiety, low mood, burnout, trauma, or other mental health concerns can sometimes present in ways that overlap with traits commonly associated with ADHD and Autism, including challenges with concentration, motivation, executive functioning and emotional regulation.
Depending on the individual’s presentation and most pressing areas of need, the team may instead recommend alternative specialist support, such as therapy, psychiatric input, or further medical investigation, before proceeding with a diagnostic ADHD and/or Autism assessment.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ASSESSMENT AT THE SOKE
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After your Stage 1 appointment, your practitioner’s findings are reviewed by The Soke’s Neurodevelopmental Multi-Disciplinary Team. This helps determine the most appropriate next step.
The Clinical Triage and Liaison Team will usually contact you within 1–2 weeks of your Stage 1 appointment to discuss the recommendation. If Stage 2 is recommended, the information gathered in Stage 1 forms the first part of your final assessment report.
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Yes. After a full ADHD diagnostic assessment, you will receive a comprehensive report. The report will usually include the findings from the assessment process, whether diagnostic criteria are met, your strengths, areas of difficulty, clinical formulation, practical recommendations, suggested strategies and possible next steps for support.
Reports are usually provided within 2–3 weeks after the Stage 2 ADHD assessment.
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Sometimes, a full diagnostic assessment is not the most helpful next step immediately. This may happen if your current difficulties are better understood through another explanation, such as anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, emotional distress, cultural context, life circumstances, thinking style or past experiences.
These factors can affect concentration, motivation, processing speed and day-to-day functioning. They can sometimes resemble ADHD traits. In this situation, The Soke may recommend support first, before deciding whether to continue with diagnostic assessment later.
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Some adults seeking ADHD assessment may also have traits associated with Autism. If this is clinically relevant, The Soke may recommend an Autism assessment or a combined ADHD and Autism assessment. A formal Autism assessment is completed separately from the ADHD assessment.
The Stage 2 Autism assessment lasts 90 minutes and costs £1,845. It is completed by a Clinical Psychologist using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). This is a structured, face-to-face assessment looking at communication patterns, responses to social cues, social interaction, rigid or repetitive behaviours, coping strategies, strengths and areas that may feel challenging.
After the Autism assessment, you will receive a comprehensive report and a 30-minute feedback session.
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We are recognised by Bupa, WPA, Healix and Cigna Insurance. Coverage depends on your individual policy, and neurodevelopmental assessments are often not covered.
We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to confirm whether your policy covers neurodevelopmental assessments.
TREATMENT AND SUPPORT AFTER ASSESSMENT
The right plan depends on your needs, goals and clinical picture.
Psychoeducation
Understanding how ADHD affects focus, motivation, impulsivity and emotional regulation.
Medication
Discussed with one of our psychiatrists where appropriate; always a decision, never an obligation.
Therapy for ADHD
For self-esteem, self-criticism, anxiety and the impact of a late diagnosis.
Lifestyle support
Sleep, exercise, routine and structure to reduce the day-to-day load.
ADHD coaching
Planning, prioritising, time management and motivation. Practical and skills-based.
Strengths and ADHD
ADHD brings strengths as well as difficulties. The aim is never to change who you are.
HOW THE SOKE CAN HELP
The Soke can support adults who are wondering whether they have ADHD, seeking a formal assessment, exploring ADHD and Autism together, struggling with work, study or relationships, experiencing anxiety, depression or burnout alongside ADHD traits, or looking for practical recommendations after diagnosis. The pathway begins with a Stage 1 neurodevelopmental screening; from there our Multi-Disciplinary Team will recommend the most appropriate next step.
Next step
Contact our Clinical Triage & Liaison Team on 020 7139 5051 or referrals@thesoke.uk — they can explain the pathway, answer practical questions and help you understand which route is most appropriate.
We are recognised by Bupa, WPA, Healix and Cigna Insurance.