Comprehensive ADHD assessments for young people aged 16 and over
As teenagers become more independent, difficulties with concentration, organisation, impulsivity and emotional regulation can become increasingly noticeable. Schoolwork gets more demanding, routines become more complicated and young people are expected to manage more of their responsibilities themselves.
For some families, concerns about ADHD have been present since childhood. For others, it may be during secondary school that these difficulties begin to stand out.
At Mind & Body Works, we provide comprehensive adolescent ADHD assessments for young people aged 16 and over. Our psychologists, Keelin Rea and Marc Romero, use a structured assessment process that brings together the young person’s experiences with information from parents or carers and their school.
The aim is to understand the difficulties being experienced, establish whether the diagnostic criteria for ADHD are met, and provide families with clear findings and practical recommendations.
For young people aged 16+ | Full assessment pathway: €1,000
How Does Our ADHD Assessment Process Work?
Our assessment services are exclusively designed for adults and are not available for children or adolescents under 18.
At Mind & Body Works, our private ADHD assessment process is structured to provide clarity and support at every step:
- Initial Pre-Screening Consultation (€80): This online session helps determine whether a full assessment is necessary based on your symptoms.
- Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (€450): If further evaluation is required, this involves clinical interviews, standardised rating scales, and a review of your personal history with an assessment psychologist. You will receive your formal diagnosis at the end of this session. Clinical assessments can be conducted both online and in-person.
- Optional Report for Medications (€250): If needed, you can book in to receive a detailed 30-page report, which is necessary for accessing further psychiatric or medical care, either publicly or privately. In this online session, your assessment psychologist can also assist in referring you to specialised psychiatric services.
Adolescent ADHD Assessment Fees
The complete adolescent ADHD assessment pathway at Mind & Body Works costs €1,000.
- Assessment stage: Fee
- One-hour initial consultation: €100
- Clinical assessment and information gathering: €580
- Written report and feedback call: €320
Total cost: €1,000
Unlike our adult ADHD assessment pathway, the adolescent assessment includes a written report and feedback as required components.
The initial €100 consultation helps determine whether proceeding with the full assessment is appropriate. Families only proceed to the remaining stages where a full assessment is recommended.
Why Are Parents and Schools Involved in the Assessment?
ADHD can affect young people differently depending on their environment.
A teenager might concentrate well on subjects they enjoy but struggle to organise homework, manage deadlines or remember instructions. They may appear relatively settled in school while experiencing considerable frustration and difficulty managing everyday tasks at home.
Parents, teachers and teenagers themselves may each notice different aspects of these difficulties.
Gathering information from multiple sources helps the psychologist understand whether symptoms occur across different settings, how long they have been present and how significantly they affect the young person’s functioning.
It also helps identify differences between what a teenager experiences internally and what other people observe.
This broader picture is particularly important during adolescence, when expectations around independence, academic performance and social relationships are changing rapidly.
How Can an ADHD Assessment Help Your Teenager at School?
For many families, understanding the impact of ADHD on education is an important reason for seeking an assessment.
Difficulties with attention, working memory, organisation and time management can affect a teenager’s ability to manage schoolwork, prepare for examinations and meet academic expectations.
These challenges can become more pronounced during senior cycle, when students are expected to organise revision, manage independent study and prepare for the Leaving Certificate.
An adolescent ADHD assessment can help identify how these difficulties affect a young person’s learning and provide information that families can discuss with their school.
Depending on the findings, recommendations may help inform conversations about:
- Classroom strategies and learning supports.
- Homework planning, organisation and study routines.
- Managing deadlines and examination preparation.
- Attention and executive functioning difficulties affecting academic performance.
- Additional educational supports or examination accommodations that may be worth exploring.
A written ADHD assessment report can provide useful documentation when discussing a young person’s needs with teachers, guidance counsellors and school support staff.
ADHD Assessments and the DARE Scheme
For students planning to attend university or college in Ireland, an ADHD assessment may also be relevant to a future DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) application.
DARE is a third-level admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have negatively affected their second-level education.
ADHD is one of the conditions recognised under the scheme.
Students applying through DARE must provide appropriate evidence of their disability and information demonstrating its impact on their education.
A psychological assessment report documenting ADHD may be used as evidence where it meets the scheme’s requirements. The student’s school also plays an important role in completing the Educational Impact Statement.
An ADHD diagnosis does not automatically qualify a student for DARE. Eligibility depends on the evidence provided and the applicable educational impact criteria.
Families considering DARE should review the current requirements and application deadlines through Access College, particularly if arranging an ADHD assessment during fifth or sixth year.
ADHD and State Examination Accommodations
Some students with disabilities or additional educational needs may qualify for reasonable accommodations in State examinations through the RACE (Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations) scheme.
Applications are generally coordinated through the student’s school and assessed according to the State Examinations Commission’s criteria.
An ADHD assessment can help families and schools understand a student’s difficulties and consider whether examination accommodations should be explored.
Eligibility for specific accommodations is assessed separately and is not guaranteed by an ADHD diagnosis alone.
Families are encouraged to speak with their school’s guidance counsellor or additional-needs team when considering examination arrangements.
Keelin Rea – ADHD Assessment
Location:
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Online Therapies,Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Marc Romero – ADHD Assessment
Location:
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Online Therapies
Recognising ADHD in Teenagers
ADHD doesn’t always look the way people expect it to.
Some teenagers struggle with restlessness, impulsivity or staying focused during lessons. Others experience difficulties that are less immediately visible, such as losing track of assignments, forgetting instructions, struggling to start tasks or feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities.
Common reasons families seek an adolescent ADHD assessment include:
- Persistent difficulties concentrating, listening or following instructions.
- Forgetfulness, disorganisation and regularly losing belongings or school materials.
- Difficulty starting tasks, managing time or completing assignments.
- Restlessness, impulsivity or difficulty managing emotional responses.
- Feeling overwhelmed by academic demands, deadlines or everyday responsibilities.
- Difficulties affecting school performance, family relationships or social life.
These experiences don’t necessarily mean a teenager has ADHD. Anxiety, sleep difficulties, learning differences and other factors can sometimes produce similar difficulties.
A comprehensive ADHD assessment helps explore these possibilities and develop a clearer understanding of the young person’s individual needs.
How Does an Adolescent ADHD Assessment Work?
Assessing ADHD in teenagers involves looking at more than their current symptoms. Our psychologists consider developmental history, experiences at home and school, and the impact of difficulties on everyday functioning.
The adolescent ADHD assessment pathway at Mind & Body Works involves three stages: an initial consultation, a clinical assessment, and a written report with feedback.
Stage 1: Initial Pre-Screening Consultation
One-hour online appointment | €100
The process begins with a one-hour consultation involving both the young person and their parent or carer.
The psychologist spends approximately 30 minutes speaking individually with the teenager, followed by 30 minutes with their parent or carer.
This allows both to share their experiences and concerns. The psychologist will explore the reasons for seeking an assessment, gather initial developmental and educational history, and consider whether a full ADHD assessment would be appropriate.
The consultation also provides an opportunity for families to ask questions about the process and understand what the next stages involve.
Stage 2: Questionnaires and Clinical Assessment
Clinical assessment and information gathering | €580
If proceeding with a full ADHD assessment is recommended, the psychologist begins gathering more detailed information.
Questionnaires are provided to the young person, their parent or carer, and their school. Parents or carers also complete a developmental history questionnaire.
Families may be asked to provide relevant school reports, previous psychological assessments or other documents that describe the young person’s experiences over time.
This information is reviewed and scored by the psychologist before the clinical appointment.
The clinical assessment includes a structured DSM-5 clinical interview, which explores ADHD symptoms, developmental history and the impact of difficulties across different areas of life.
The interview lasts approximately two hours:
- 90 minutes with the young person, exploring their experiences, symptoms and everyday difficulties.
- 30 minutes with the parent or carer, clarifying developmental history and any outstanding questions.
The psychologist considers these findings alongside the questionnaires, school information and other available evidence to form a comprehensive picture.
Stage 3: Written Report and Feedback
Detailed report and feedback call | €320
Following the clinical assessment, the psychologist brings together the information gathered throughout the process and prepares a detailed written report.
A feedback call is arranged to explain the findings, discuss the assessment outcome and provide recommendations based on the young person’s needs.
The report records the assessment findings and provides information that families can refer to when considering educational supports or further professional input.
Because information from schools and other sources can sometimes take longer to arrive, the report may initially remain in draft form.
Where outstanding information is necessary to confirm the assessment outcome, the psychologist will explain this clearly and finalise the report once the essential evidence has been considered.
What Does a Comprehensive Adolescent ADHD Assessment Consider?
An ADHD diagnosis is not based on a single questionnaire or how a teenager behaves in one particular setting.
A comprehensive assessment examines several important areas.
Developmental history
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition. The psychologist explores whether relevant difficulties were present during childhood, even if they were not recognised as ADHD at the time.
Current ADHD symptoms
The assessment examines patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity using structured clinical interviews and standardised questionnaires.
Impact on daily life
The psychologist considers how symptoms affect education, relationships, family life and everyday responsibilities.
Information from different settings
Parent and school questionnaires help establish how difficulties present across different environments.
Other possible explanations
Attention and organisational difficulties can also be associated with anxiety, sleep problems, learning differences and other factors. The assessment considers these possibilities rather than assuming that every difficulty is caused by ADHD.
What Happens After an Adolescent ADHD Assessment?
The feedback stage is an opportunity for families to understand the assessment findings and discuss what they mean for their teenager.
Where ADHD is identified, the psychologist will explain how the young person’s experiences meet the diagnostic criteria and discuss appropriate recommendations.
The assessment may also identify other factors contributing to the difficulties being experienced. Understanding these can be equally valuable when deciding what support may be useful.
Recommendations are informed by the young person’s needs and may include strategies for managing everyday difficulties, educational supports, psychological interventions or onward referral to other professionals where appropriate.
For families navigating school difficulties, the assessment findings may provide a clearer basis for discussing additional support with teachers and other education professionals.
The aim is for families to leave the process with a better understanding of their teenager’s experiences, a written record of the findings and practical guidance about possible next steps.
Why Choose Mind and Body Works for an Adolescent ADHD Assessment?
Our adolescent ADHD assessments go beyond a single questionnaire or consultation. Our psychologists use structured clinical interviews, standardised assessments, developmental history and information from parents and schools to build a thorough understanding of each young person’s experiences.
Every assessment includes a detailed written report, personalised recommendations and feedback, helping families understand the findings and make informed decisions about educational supports and next steps.
FAQ
Our adolescent ADHD assessment service is available for young people aged 16 and over.
The assessment uses age-appropriate clinical interviews and questionnaires, alongside information from parents or carers and schools.
For clients seeking our separate adult assessment pathway, please visit our Adult ADHD Assessment service page.
If your teenager has ongoing difficulties with attention, organisation, impulsivity or other ADHD-related symptoms that affect their everyday life, an assessment may be worth considering.
The initial consultation gives you and your teenager an opportunity to discuss these concerns with a psychologist and explore whether a comprehensive assessment would be helpful.
Yes, Mind & Body Works offers flexibility in appointment settings. You can choose to have your adult ADHD assessment in person at our Dublin or Galway clinic or opt for an online assessment accessible from anywhere in Ireland.
Yes. Parents or carers play an important role in the assessment, particularly when providing developmental history and describing the young person’s experiences at home.
The initial consultation and clinical assessment both include dedicated time for the young person and their parent or carer.
Our assessment process includes requesting information from the young person’s school. Teacher questionnaires and relevant school reports provide valuable information about attention, organisation and everyday functioning in an educational setting.
If information is delayed or unavailable, your psychologist will discuss whether additional evidence is needed and how this may affect the assessment timeline.
Yes. Assessment findings can help identify how ADHD-related difficulties affect learning, organisation and academic performance.
The written report can inform discussions between families and schools about appropriate support strategies and whether additional educational arrangements should be considered.
Specific accommodations are determined by the relevant school or educational authority.
A report prepared by an appropriately qualified psychologist may provide evidence for a DARE application where it meets the scheme’s requirements.
Students must also meet the educational impact criteria, and their school is required to provide supporting information.
Families should check the current DARE documentation requirements before applying.
An assessment can help identify the educational impact of ADHD and provide information that families may discuss with their school.
Eligibility for State examination accommodations is determined separately under the RACE scheme and depends on the relevant criteria.
The initial online consultation lasts one hour, while the structured clinical assessment interview lasts approximately two hours.
Additional time is required for collecting questionnaires, reviewing school information, preparing the written report and arranging feedback.
The overall timeline can vary depending on how quickly supporting information is received.
The complete assessment pathway costs €1,000.
This includes a one-hour initial consultation (€100), clinical assessment and information gathering (€580), and a detailed written report with feedback (€320).