What I wish I knew before my ADHD Assessment

If you’re sitting in The Waiting Room right now, wondering what’s next, you are not alone. 

The journey to an ADHD assessment can feel long, confusing and sometimes overwhelming. Many parents and adults tell us that they wish they’d understood certain things earlier in the process - things that could have made the wait less stressful and more empowering.

Here are some of the most common “I wish I knew…” reflections from people who have been where you are now.

1. A Diagnosis isn’t about a label - it’s about understanding

So many people start out worrying: “Am I just looking for an excuse? Do I really need a label?”. The truth is, a diagnosis is less about a label and more about having language to describe your experiences. It helps schools, workplaces and even families understand what’s going on beneath the surface.

I wish I knew:  I wasn’t “making it up.” My struggles were real, and having a diagnosis didn’t box me in - it opened doors.

2. Support doesn’t have to wait

One of the biggest surprises for parents and adults alike is realising that you don’t need a diagnosis to ask for help.

Schools have a duty under the SEND Code of Practice to provide support based on need, not diagnosis. Workplaces too must make “reasonable adjustments” under the Equality Act 2010.

I wish I knew: I could have started asking for adjustments much earlier. The wait didn’t have to mean “do nothing.”

3. ADHD isn’t just about attention

Before assessment, many people think ADHD = hyperactive little boys who can’t sit still. In reality, ADHD can look like:

• Losing track of time constantly

• Struggling to finish tasks you want to finish

• Forgetting simple things despite being capable and smart

• Feeling “all or nothing” with energy and focus

  
  

I wish I knew: ADHD is about Executive Functioning - the brain’s management system. It touches every part of daily life, not just schoolwork or behaviour.

4. The wait can feel like a rollercoaster

While waiting, it’s normal to swing between:

• Relief (“Finally, I might have answers”)

• Doubt (“What if it’s not ADHD? What if I’m imagining it?”)

• Frustration (“Why is this taking so long?”)

  
  

I wish I knew: These feelings are part of the process, and they don’t mean you’re on the wrong path. Keeping an observation log of challenges and successes can help ground you when the doubts creep in.

5. Life doesn’t suddenly change after diagnosis

An assessment can be hugely validating, but it isn’t a magic wand. 

The real change comes from:

• Understanding your (or your child’s) unique brain

• Using strategies that actually work for you

• Building support in school, work and home environments

I wish I knew: The assessment was the starting point for change, not the finish line.

Final Thought

If you’re in the waiting stage right now, remember: you don’t have to have all the answers yet. You don’t have to wait for a piece of paper to start learning what works for you, advocating for support and reframing how you see yourself (or your child).

You’re not “just waiting” - you are already moving forward.