ADHD

ADHD is a condition that affects between 1% and 5% of people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. 

People with ADHD often have problems with learning or performance because they are less able to regulate and control their attention – meaning that they struggle to get themselves to focus on the right things at the right time. Often, however hard a person with ADHD wants to focus on a specific task, they end up focussing on something altogether different. This is particularly true of tasks that are very lengthy and not immediately stimulating or novel. As a result, people with ADHD may never seem to maintain their interest in a task consistently. They are frequently described as appearing not to listen or follow instructions, and they may also appear impulsive and impatient, e.g. when waiting in line. People with ADHD are usually inattentive, hyperactive, or both. Primarily inattentive ADHD used to be known as ‘ADD’, but as we now know that ADHD presentations can change over time (e.g. you can go from being inattentive in childhood to hyperactive in adulthood), this term is not longer used in scientific contexts. Children with a hyperactive presentation of ADHD can’t sit still and need to run around or fidget constantly. Symptoms of hyperactivity in adults with ADHD include being constantly ‘on the go’, switching between tasks and activities or constantly starting new tasks before finishing others, general restlessness and edginess and difficulty keeping quiet / speaking out of turn. 

HCPC Chartered Practitioner Psychologists who have relevant training, skills and experience are permitted to assess and diagnose the condition, and this is recommended by  SASC (SpLD Assessments Standard Committee) given the UK’s particularly lengthy waiting lists for referrals for NHS ADHD assessments, diagnosis and treatment. Hester Howells has completed this training, and regularly updates to her knowledge and skills  – she has several year’s experience assessing and diagnosing ADHD in a number of contexts. 

As well as her training with Isobel, Hester has been trained by Professor Philip Asherson, using the DIVA (“Diagnosis and assessment of adults with ADHD”), President of www.ukaan.org at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London. Hester’s knowledge is updated by attending international conferences run by UKAAN, of which Prof Philip Asherson is a leading professional. She attends regular CPD events to keep up to date.  

Hester assess ADHD in children for the Local Authority (Children’s Services), for adults at Universities as well as private child and adult clients. Hester is trained and experienced in using other assessment tools such as the Connors, ACE, ACE + and CADDRA. 

Please contact us if you would like to discuss or book an assessment for ADHD.