ADHD brain screening in Rochdale

If you're a parent, teacher, or clinician in Greater Manchester looking for objective ADHD evidence for someone near Rochdale, you've come to the right place. Standard ADHD assessment relies on behavioural observation and self-report — tools that are valuable but inherently subjective.

The theta/beta ratio we measure has been the subject of over 30 years of published research. Meta-analyses consistently show elevated TBR in ADHD populations. The FDA referenced this biomarker when clearing the NEBA System in 2013. Our normative database draws from six peer-reviewed sources covering 311+ subjects across 10 age groups from age 6 to 60+.

This isn't fringe science. It's well-established neurophysiology applied in a clinical screening context. The report we produce includes z-scores against age-matched norms, full frequency band analysis, Go/No-Go attention task metrics, and peer-reviewed citations for every claim. After screening, our ADHD support hub provides guides on understanding your results, next steps and ongoing support.

The science behind our screening isn't new or experimental — it's well-established neurophysiology applied in a practical clinical context. The P300 component of the EEG (a brain wave that peaks 300 milliseconds after a stimulus) is one of the most-studied event-related potentials in neuroscience. Its amplitude and latency are consistently altered in ADHD populations.

We also measure resting-state frequency band power: the relative proportions of theta (4–8 Hz) and beta (12–30 Hz) activity at each electrode site. This theta/beta ratio was first proposed as an ADHD biomarker in the 1990s and has since been replicated across hundreds of independent studies worldwide.

Every measurement in your report is backed by peer-reviewed citations. Every z-score references published normative data. This isn't proprietary technology with hidden methodology — it's transparent, replicable science that your clinician can verify independently.

Read the full breakdown of the research behind our screening on our ADHD brain science page.

We use a BrainBit Flex4 EEG cap — a research-grade 4-channel system with dry spring-loaded electrodes. No gel, no paste. The protocol captures three distinct brain states across 7 minutes. Eyes-open resting state shows your baseline cortical arousal. Eyes-closed reveals how your brain responds when input is reduced. The Go/No-Go task measures sustained attention, impulse control, and response consistency.

For children, we make it child-friendly. They can hold the cap first, see the electrodes. Parents stay in the room. The Go/No-Go phase feels like a game. If a recording phase is too noisy, we redo it free.

See the full step-by-step process on our how it works page, or visit our FAQ for common questions.

Everything about the appointment is designed to minimise stress. The room is quiet and private. There's no clinical atmosphere — no waiting room full of strangers, no fluorescent lighting, no medical gowns. You arrive, we explain, we record, and you leave with data.

The cap uses dry, spring-loaded electrodes that sit gently on the scalp through hair. No gel, no shaving, no preparation beyond washing your hair that morning. Electrode positions follow the international 10-20 system: Cz (central vertex — the FDA-standard ADHD measurement site), Fz (frontal midline), F3 (left frontal), and F4 (right frontal). Two earlobe clips provide the reference signal.

The 7-minute recording captures three distinct brain states. Eyes-open resting shows your baseline cortical arousal. Eyes-closed reveals how your brain responds when visual input is removed. The Go/No-Go task measures sustained attention, impulse control and response consistency — the executive functions most affected by ADHD. Learn more about the science on our ADHD brain guide.

Preparing for your ADHD brain screening is straightforward — there's very little you need to do differently. Wash your hair on the day of the appointment using normal shampoo, but avoid heavy styling products, gel, wax, or leave-in conditioners, as these can affect electrode contact. Dry hair is fine; the electrodes work through dry hair.

Get a normal night's sleep the night before. Sleep deprivation alters brain wave patterns and could affect your results. If you normally sleep poorly (which is common with ADHD), that's fine — we just need your 'normal' baseline, not an artificially good one.

Eat normally before the appointment. Low blood sugar affects brain function, so don't fast. Avoid excessive caffeine — one normal coffee is fine, but four espressos will artificially elevate your beta waves. If you take ADHD medication, discuss with us when booking whether to take it before the screening or skip it on test day (depending on whether we're measuring your unmedicated baseline or your medicated state). Our medication guide explains all UK options.

For more detail on the full process from booking to report, see how it works.

We screen children aged 6 and above, teenagers, and adults of all ages from Rochdale and across Greater Manchester. Each person is compared against age-matched normative data from published research — because a 7-year-old's brain is neurologically very different from a 40-year-old's.

For children, the most common scenario is parents who've been told their child "just needs to try harder." For teenagers, it's GCSE or A-level pressure exposing hidden attention difficulties. For adults, it's often a lifetime of wondering — sometimes triggered by a child's diagnosis.

Women and girls are particularly underserved by standard assessment. The inattentive presentation — quiet, dreamy, internally restless — is systematically missed by questionnaires designed around hyperactive boys. Our brain screening measures neurology directly, bypassing the behavioural bias.

Learn more: children 6+ · teenagers · adults · women & girls

View packages: standard screening (£595) · comprehensive (£845) · family package (£1,095) · all pricing

After your screening: ADHD support hub · results explained · what to do next · GP appointment guide · parent's guide

Autism and ADHD frequently coexist — research suggests 50–70%% of autistic individuals also meet criteria for ADHD. For parents near Rochdale whose child has already been diagnosed with autism, the question is often whether ADHD is also present. The overlap in symptoms — difficulty with transitions, sensory overwhelm, social challenges — makes clinical differentiation through observation alone extremely difficult.

Our brain screening helps untangle this. The theta/beta ratio pattern associated with ADHD is measurable regardless of whether autism is also present. A child with autism-only typically shows a different EEG profile from a child with autism-plus-ADHD. Having this data helps your clinician decide whether ADHD-specific interventions — including medication — should be considered alongside autism support.

Your screening report opens multiple pathways simultaneously — you don't have to pick just one. Most clients from Rochdale use the results in two or three ways at once. Immediately: book a GP appointment, bring the clinical letter, and request either an urgent CAMHS referral or a Right to Choose referral to Psychiatry-UK (NHS-funded, typically 3–6 months vs 2–5 years).

At the same time: send the report to your child's school SENCO for SEN register placement, EHCP evidence, or JCQ exam access arrangements (extra time, rest breaks). If you're an adult: begin an Access to Work application for government-funded coaching, assistive technology, and reasonable adjustments.

If the NHS pathway feels too slow even with Right to Choose, you can use the report alongside a private psychiatric assessment (£700–£1,500). The psychiatrist will have objective brain data before they even meet you — making the assessment more focused and potentially faster.

And if you're diagnosed and prescribed medication, your baseline brain data becomes invaluable. A follow-up medication comparison scan (£345) shows objective before-and-after changes in TBR and attention task performance — real evidence that treatment is working.

We always recommend staying on the NHS waiting list while pursuing our screening. The NHS pathway leads to fully-funded ongoing care. Our screening gives you evidence and support in the meantime — and data that strengthens your case when the NHS appointment finally arrives.

Travelling from Rochdale? We'll match you to the nearest screening venue when you book. Our venues are private, comfortable spaces across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and the surrounding region — all with free parking. No hospital atmosphere, no clinical smell, no waiting room full of strangers.

Prefer to stay home? Our home visit service is available across Greater Manchester. The tester brings everything — EEG cap, laptop, reference electrodes — and sets up in your living room, study, or any quiet space. Parents find this especially useful for children who are nervous about new environments.