
I am writing to provide feedback following the recent online ADHD assessment regarding my son, Kaiyan. This feedback is offered constructively, with the intention of supporting shared understanding and ensuring the final report reflects the full context.
This appointment was attended at a point of significant exhaustion. As a parent of a child with complex needs, substantial time, emotional energy, and personal resources have been invested over many years in seeking understanding, assessment, and appropriate support. The intention in attending this assessment was to gain clarity, guidance, and support during an increasingly difficult period.
While there was calm engagement with Kaiyan and some review of history, the overall experience did not feel sufficiently grounded in the full developmental, medical, and contextual picture. Key aspects of the urgency of the referral, the cumulative impact on family functioning, and the extent of previous attempts to seek help did not appear to be fully explored.
It was helpful that leg pain, dyspraxia, and a whole-child perspective were considered; however, these observations would have benefited from fuller integration of existing history and context.
Discussion surrounding ADHD diagnosis and medication occurred without clear acknowledgement of the prolonged and often challenging efforts already undertaken to access support. This was particularly difficult, as it was experienced as implying that the pursuit of assessment was primarily medication-focused, rather than reflecting the reality of the situation or the breadth of concerns relating to anxiety, phobias, demand avoidance, and overall functioning.
It was upsetting to hear that the low school ADHD rating was considered to limit evidence across two settings.
When increased conflict between Kaiyan and his father was mentioned, the subsequent focus on punishment and physical discipline—while recognised as part of standard ADHD enquiry—was experienced as misaligned with the context in which the information was shared. The tone of this line of questioning felt difficult, particularly given the absence of any safeguarding concerns, and contributed to a sense that parental actions were being scrutinised rather than the child’s needs being explored. This experience was reminiscent of previous NHS interactions in which parental concern has been perceived as problematic rather than contextualised, including prior paediatric consultations relating to leg pain where concerns were minimised.
It is also important to note that Kaiyan’s father is highly involved in his care and daily regulation needs, including carefully preparing routines such as ensuring his lunchbox is appropriately organised.
During the appointment, there was limited opportunity to convey the extent of prior investigations relating to leg pain, vitamin D, dyspraxia (which has been explored and ruled out), and possible hypermobility, despite extensive engagement with GP, NHS, orthopaedic, and specialist services. Greater exploratory questioning and integration of existing reports may have supported a more complete understanding of this history.
Overall, the assessment appeared to move relatively quickly towards formulation and advice-giving. For a parent already experiencing significant fatigue and pressure, this approach felt misaligned with the need for collaborative exploration and validation of lived experience. Rather than feeling supported or guided, the interaction was experienced as judgement, which contributed to feelings of inadequacy at a time when reassurance and clarity were being sought.
The cumulative developmental history, current level of impact, and constraints faced by the family did not appear to be fully reflected within the appointment. The experience was consistent with interactions where parental concerns and lived expertise are positioned as secondary to professional formulation, rather than integrated as essential clinical information.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this feedback.
Seen for:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)