How to be the best informant possible for an ADHD assessment

If someone has asked you to be their informant for an ADHD assessment, it is important that you know what the process entails. Your role as an informant is invaluable, so let us consider how to be the best ADHD informant you can be.

Your role as an ADHD informant

As an ADHD informant, your role is to provide information and support for someone undergoing assessment for ADHD. This involves telling our clinical team about any potential signs of ADHD that the individual displayed during their early childhood and development, and helping us understand the impact on their daily functioning. An informant can provide evidence to show that an individual’s signs of ADHD meet clinical criteria and are pervasive, potentially warranting a diagnosis. They may also offer emotional support to the individual being assessed throughout the process.

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 early 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:  

● Firstly, a profile will be created for you on the ProblemShared system. This allows our clinicians to contact you directly.

● You will then receive an email with clear instructions explaining how to fill out the Informant Questionnaire.  

● The Informant Questionnaire will be emailed directly 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 questionnaire and return it either to the individual being assessed so that they can return it to ProblemShared or directly to ProblemShared via email at ndassessments@problemshared.net.

Who can be an informant?

To ensure that the information provided is accurate and relevant, an informant should be somebody who has known the individual since early childhood.  This will preferably be a parent, caregiver, or sibling, although a long-term partner or close friend 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 and give you time to reflect on the types of questions you may be asked.
• Reflect on the individual’s early childhood and development and think about their unique characteristics, behaviours, strengths, and abilities. 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.

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