How to be the best informant possible for an ADHD assessment

What is an informant?

An ADHD assessment is an important first step towards getting an accurate diagnosis and access to much-needed support. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, our clinicians must be provided with the most comprehensive and accurate information possible.

A vital source of this information is an informant; a person who has known the individual being assessed since childhood. If someone has asked you to be their informant for an ADHD assessment, it's important that you know what the process entails so you can be the best ADHD informant possible.

Your role as an ADHD informant

As an ADHD informant, your role is to provide information for someone undergoing an assessment for ADHD. This involves completing the Informant Questionnaire which tells our clinical team about any potential signs of ADHD that the individual displayed during their childhood, as well as those that they display now. You can help us to understand the impact this has on their daily functioning.

An informant should provide as many examples of symptoms or behaviours as possible to show that an individual’s signs of ADHD meet clinical criteria, potentially warranting a diagnosis. 

An overview of the process

When acting as an informant for a ProblemShared ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete an Informant Questionnaire. This questionnaire will gather important details about the childhood, developmental milestones, medical and educational history, social characteristics, and neurodivergent traits of the individual being assessed. 

Here is an overview of how to do it: 

• The Informant Questionnaire will be made available to the individual being assessed, and they will be able to forward this to you via email.
• As an informant, you should then complete the Informant Questionnaire and return it to the individual being assessed so that they can return it to ProblemShared. Alternatively, you can send it directly to ProblemShared via email at ndassessments@problemshared.net.

Who can be an ADHD informant?

To ensure that the information provided is accurate and relevant, an informant should be somebody who has known the individual since childhood. This will preferably be a parent, caregiver, or sibling, although a long-term partner, close friend, or employer can act as an informant if this is not possible.

How can I be a good ADHD informant?

To prepare you for your role as an informant for an ADHD assessment, here are a few practical tips:

• Spend some time finding out more about ADHD and the assessment process. This will help you prepare to complete the Informant Questionnaire. 
• Reflect on the individual’s childhood and how they are now. Think about their unique characteristics and behaviours, their strengths and abilities, and any challenges they face in their daily life. This will help you to provide detailed and accurate information in the Informant Questionnaire. 
• Gather any relevant information to help you provide the most accurate responses. For example, revisit early childhood memories (looking at old photographs can help to jog your memory), developmental milestone trackers, and educational records. 
• If appropriate, consult with the individual being assessed before you complete the Informant Questionnaire. Find out what information they are comfortable with you discussing and what they would prefer you to keep private. This could include details about their medical history, personal life, or sensitive topics that they may not wish to disclose.
• Being an informant for an ADHD assessment is an important responsibility that requires attention to detail, honesty, and support. Remember that your role as an informant is invaluable, and by following the tips outlined in this article, you can be the best ADHD informant possible.