GP Appointment

NB: First, an important message on diagnosis

Although GPs are often the first port of call in the pathway to ADHD assessment, GPs are seldom specifically trained or qualified to diagnose ADHD.

REALITY: The only people who can formally diagnose OR rule out ADHD are trained specialists, such as; clinical psychologists, paediatricians, or psychiatrists.  Occasionally neurologists may be able to diagnose.

NB: An educational psychologist is not able to diagnose OR rule out ADHD, neither is an occupational therapist, or a mental health practitioner (counsellor/nurse/therapist). If one of these people (or a teacher or RTLB) says something like "it's not ADHD" they are not acting within their scope of practice.

Prior to the appointment:

Screeners/questionnaires that you could fill out and brig along or send to your GP prior to your first appointment:

 Vanderbilt ADHD Screener (Parents)
Vanderbilt ADHD Screener (Teachers)

Also: Consider noting down and sharing some concrete examples of experiences (observable or reported internal experiences), e.g. forgets chores, has lost 3 school jumpers, can't sleep because there are too many thoughts in their mind.

The teacher might like to write down how your child experiences school, any specific examples of difficulties and how these affect their work.

The appointment - you might like to book a 30 minute session if your GP practice offers them.

A GP with good practice in ADHD/neurodiversity care would;

•  listen to descriptions of experiences;

• ask clarifying questions;

• provide paperwork (like screeners) for parents and teachers to fill out (or accept ones already completed);

• give advice on the most appropriate pathway to be seen by a specialist;

• make a referral to a public or private specialist if that is what you would like.

Your GP should not;

•  dismiss your concerns; 

• talk about how ADHD is a "trend" these days;

• say that it is "boys just being boys" or "just a bit of anxiety" similar;

• rule out ADHD due to: perceived intellect, achievement, success, lack of observable hyperactivity;

• refuse to talk about or prescribe recommended, suitable medication following diagnosis - if that is your choice;

• make you feel bad in any way for asking about ADHD as a possibility;

• refuse to consider making a referral to a specialist.

Your GP might;

• Want to consult someone with more knowledge;

• Want to look at other factors that could explain the ADHD-like experiences, e.g. trauma, some medical conditions;

• Want to treat common accompanying conditions first, e.g. anxiety, depression;

• Want information from teachers, to check if the experiences are common across school and home;

• Look at when the experiences started and how they are interfering in the life of the patient;

• Be reluctant to consider ADHD if the patient is very young, (e.g. a preschooler);

• Warn you of wait times for specialists through the public health system;

• Discuss whether a private pathway would be possible, suitable.

• Discuss other lifestyle changes that might help support with ADHD, e.g. diet, exercise, stress levels, sleep.