Over 500,000 people in England alone are awaiting ADHD diagnosis. With NHS services grinding to a halt, the demand for private assessments is growing quickly. Read our guide on how to land a job as an ADHD assessor now.

The Demand for ADHD Assessors

The rising demand for ADHD assessors in the UK is undeniable. Last year, the BBC reported there was an average eight year waiting list for ADHD patients across the country, with many trusts halting all or some of their referral services. The facts speak for themselves. Many people who suspect they may have ADHD simply don’t have access to the services they need.

If you’re looking for a career change, or a way to strengthen your existing career, training as an ADHD assessor could be the answer. The shortcomings of the available services mean that there’s never been a higher need for private ADHD assessors.

What Does an ADHD Assessor Do?

As an ADHD assessor, you will conduct diagnostic evaluations. To do so, you use standardised tools like the Conners' Rating Scales, Continuous Performance Tests (CPT), and structured clinical interviews. Here’s what the job includes:

• Assessing attention span, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and executive function

• Look at developmental history and daily functioning

• Reviewing academic records, previous psychological reports, and medical history

• Diagnostics, report writing, and feedback

• Collaborating with families and offering ongoing support

Your work may see you collaborating within multidisciplinary teams that include psychiatrists, educational psychologists, and occupational therapists. For many, an ADHD diagnosis can be affirming and life-changing. For that reason, working as an assessor can be fulfilling.

How to Get Qualified and Land a Job

Most of the time, ADHD assessors hold advanced degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, or psychiatry. Clinical psychologists typically complete a doctorate followed by supervised practice hours before specialising in ADHD assessment.

If you already have a clinical background, training in ADHD-specific diagnostic tools strengthens your qualifications. Here’s a rundown of how you can get qualified:

Focus on lived or professional experience

Practical experience gives you the insight you need to carry out ADHD assessments. You may have professional experience of working with ADHD people, or bring your own lived experience to the table. Either way, if you are looking to get qualified, your background matters.

In a professional setting, you may want to seek out opportunities where you can support with assessments, score tests, or write report sections under supervision.

Gain ADHD assessment qualifications

Understanding ADHD diagnosis and management takes real skill, and you need the knowledge to back it up. Our intensive two-day course offers an understanding in the gold-standard assessment using tools like the ADHD Powerbank (DIVA Foundation), Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1. 1), and master practical clinical care, including pharmacological management.

Connect with local clinics and services

When you have experience and qualifications, the next step in how to get an ADHD assessor job is networking. You will need to put yourself out there, connecting with local clinics or setting up by yourself. Reach out to NHS trusts, private clinics, and multidisciplinary practices to get started. You may also benefit from building your professional network.

As there is a growing demand for ADHD assessors in the UK and Ireland, there are plenty of opportunities in this sector. Joining recruitment agencies or referral networks, such as Hunter Gatherer, is a good strategy, allowing you to connect with employers and clients.

Follow social feeds for updates

Looking for the latest news and opportunities? Following social accounts including ADHD Today and Autism Services Group. That way, you will have the chance to connect with like-minded professionals and stay in the loop when it comes to openings.

Takeaway

The current demand for ADHD assessors in the UK provides an opportunity for those looking for a new aspect of their career. Working to offer people neuroaffirmative diagnoses is both meaningful and fulfilling. At Autism Services Group, we offer expert-led clinical training to help you meet your professional goals.