What can I do while waiting for an ADHD assessment?

Advice and Information - 9 May 2025

Waiting for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment can take a long time. What support is available for people while they wait?

What is ADHD?

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can cause problems with concentration, energy levels, impulsiveness, or a person’s ability to manage their time. ADHD symptoms can harm your mental wellbeing, including having a negative effect on other mental health issues you may have.

What support do people want while waiting for an ADHD diagnosis? 

The wait for an ADHD assessment can be long. People have told us they want practical and straightforward help while they wait, such as:   

  • Advice on how to look after their mental wellbeing 
  • A single place to contact about the wait for an assessment  
  • Information on organisations that can give advice on ADHD   

How can I manage my mental wellbeing while I wait?  

Helpful coping strategies other people accessing or looking for ADHD support have suggested include: 

  • Exercise: Physical activity can help improve focus and reduce stress.
  • Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help you to feel calmer and increase your awareness.
  • Breathing techniques: Deep breathing can help relax and reduce anxiety.
  • Apps: Tools like planners and timers can help with organisation and time management.
  • Fidget toys: These toys can help keep hands busy and improve concentration.      

People also suggested listening to podcasts. ADHD UK recommend some ADHD podcasts and YouTube channels that you might find useful.  

Can I join an ADHD support group?  

Many support organisations will help you even before getting a diagnosis of ADHD.  It's worth having a look and seeing if you can get support.  

People have told us that support groups and meeting people in similar situations is helpful, for friends and family as well as themselves. It can help you to build relationships and feel less isolated.

What support is available for ADHD in the workplace? 

Employers should make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure you're not disadvantaged if you have a disability or physical or mental health condition. 

You don't need to be diagnosed with ADHD to get support from your employer. They should offer reasonable adjustments while you're waiting for an assessment.  

If an employer asks you for proof of your condition, you do not legally have to provide this.

In our recent survey, over two-thirds of people who told their employer that they had ADHD were offered at least one reasonable adjustment, including:  

  • Flexible working arrangements  
  • Additional guidance or check-ins with manager  
  • Working from home arrangements  
  • ADHD coaching or support  
  • Specialised software
  • Wearing noise-cancelling headphones  

Over three-quarters of those who were offered reasonable adjustments said they made a significant or moderate difference. 

Additional resources to support you at work:  

What support can I get to study with ADHD? 

Colleges and universities should also offer reasonable adjustments and support for people with ADHD. Most will not need a formal diagnosis for this. 

Adjustments could include one-to-one support, getting lectures in advance or in alternative formats and specialist computer equipment.  

Looking for further information about ADHD assessments? 

If you need support with referral for an assessment, take a look at our advice articles on getting a second opinion about your care and how to get the most out of your GP appointment.

ADHD UK also offers a useful resource on the referral pathway to help you navigate it.

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Sarah - Chair of the Board of Trustees

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As the Chair of the board of trustees, I work with the other trustees and staff to help set the strategic direction of Healthwatch Bradford and District. We meet regularly to look at finance reports, agree the budget, get updates on the work of the staff team and make any decisions that are important to ensure the charity is as strong and effective as possible. We also work closely with the senior staff team to make sure they have the support they need. I previously managed Healthwatch Bradford and District, and I’m passionate about ensuring our local community has a strong voice in the local NHS. I know from personal experience, as both a patient and a carer, that the NHS can be confusing and it can be hard to have your voice heard. We are a diverse and brilliant community, and it’s vital that every part of it has the chance to speak up and help shape our care.

Outside of my role, I’ve got two young children so I’m often busy with them, but I also love yoga and walking in the woods and moors around the District.

I think Healthwatch Bradford and District does a vital job hearing from people across the District, sharing their experiences and views with the NHS, and helping the health and care system better understand the community. I love that I can support this, and I really enjoy getting to work with the fantastic team.

 

Emma - member of the Board of Trustees

Emma - member of the board of Director

"Healthwatch Bradford and District plays a vital role in making sure every person’s voice is valued, respected, and used to drive meaningful change across our local health and care systems."

I’ve always been driven by a deep belief that people deserve to be heard when it comes to their health, wellbeing, and social care. That belief has shaped my entire career and I’ve spent my life working across health and social care. I have spent time in emergency departments, on hospital wards, within social care services, and alongside community groups where I’ve witnessed extraordinary dedication across our system, but I’ve also seen where things fall short. Those experiences have strengthened my conviction that listening to people’s real stories is the key to creating better, fairer, and more responsive services.

As a Trustee of Healthwatch Bradford and District, I’m proud to help ensure that this principle sits at the heart of everything we do. My role involves supporting the leadership team with strategic decisions, guiding our communications, and helping to shape the organisation’s public presence so that the Bradford and district community knows we are here to champion what matters to them.

Outside of work, life is full and joyful. I have a large, lively family, I foster dogs (which brings chaos and love into the house), and I find calm and creativity through crochet.

 

Jo - member of the Board of Trustees

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“I’m committed to making sure every voice, especially those often overlooked, shapes the future of our local health and care services.”

Alongside my work as an Aviation Ops Co‑ordinator, I serve as a trustee where my role is to read, question, and challenge. I bring real‑life experience into board decisions, always trying to make sure services and strategies work for the people they’re meant to help. Because I commute between cities for my job, I get to see how health services operate in different parts of the country. That wider perspective really influences my understanding of services, especially when I see how differently things can be done in other areas of the UK.

I have a particular interest in children’s services, the elderly, and vulnerable communities as I feel these people have seldom heard voices and need to be supported within healthcare services. As a Healthwatch board member, I champion the voice of local people in health and social care. I use lived experience, community insight, and independent challenge to influence decisions, improve services, and ensure people are heard. I’m driven by a belief that everyone deserves safe, fair, and accessible care, and that real change happens when the public voice is at the table and taken seriously.

I’m also currently studying a diploma in Aesthetics. When I’m qualified, I hope to be able to help people with cleft palates or other facial issues or scarring. It’s important to me to support people who might otherwise struggle to access the help they need. I really agree with the sentiment that the health and care system works best when it truly listens to the people it serves.