Your child's school says they can't focus. The NHS waiting list is years long. A private psychiatrist costs £1,500 for a conversation. What if you could get objective brain data instead — in 30 minutes, for a fraction of the cost?
Your child is bright — everyone says so. But homework is a battlefield. Their teacher says they "just need to try harder." Reports describe a child who is "easily distracted" and "not meeting potential." You've read the articles. You've taken the online quizzes. You're fairly certain your child has ADHD. But now what?
The NHS route means a CAMHS referral from your GP, then a waiting list. The average wait is 2-3 years in most of England. In some areas it's closer to 5. The NICE guidelines (NG87) recommend timely assessment, but the system can't deliver it. Your child doesn't have 2-3 years to wait — they're struggling now, falling behind now, losing confidence now. Read our guide on NHS ADHD waiting list alternatives for more on this.
The private route means £700-£1,500 for a psychiatrist assessment. But here's the thing most parents don't realise: that assessment is almost entirely based on conversation. Questionnaires. Rating scales. A clinical interview. There is no brain scan, no brain measurement, no objective test. It's a professional opinion — a qualified one, but an opinion nonetheless.
That's exactly what our screening provides. We measure your child's actual brain activity using quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). Specifically, we measure the theta/beta ratio — the most-studied brain biomarker for ADHD, referenced in the 2013 FDA clearance of the NEBA System. We compare the results against age-matched published norms from 311+ research subjects. And we give you a professional report the same day.
This isn't a diagnosis — only a qualified clinician can diagnose ADHD. But it's something no questionnaire can give you: objective neurological evidence. Evidence your GP can use to expedite a referral. Evidence a private psychiatrist can use alongside their assessment. Evidence that moves the conversation from "we think" to "the data shows."
Starts tasks but drifts off. Can't sustain attention on homework or instructions. Seems to "zone out" mid-conversation. Loses track of what they were doing.
Can't sit still at the dinner table. Fidgets constantly. Talks excessively. Always on the go as if "driven by a motor." Struggles to wait their turn.
Acts before thinking. Blurts out answers in class. Interrupts conversations. Makes careless mistakes on work they clearly understand. Difficulty following multi-step instructions.
Meltdowns over minor frustrations. Difficulty managing anger or disappointment. Seems more emotionally reactive than peers. Mood shifts rapidly.
"Bright but underperforming." Reports say "easily distracted" and "not meeting potential." Avoids homework. Forgets to hand in work. Messy, disorganised workspace.
Not all ADHD is hyperactive. The inattentive type (more common in girls) presents as dreamy, spacey, slow to process, and quietly disengaged. Often missed entirely.
If you recognise several of these patterns, a brain screening can provide objective data on what's happening neurologically. An elevated theta/beta ratio — meaning more slow-wave activity than fast-wave activity — is a well-documented brain pattern associated with ADHD in children, supported by decades of published research.
We know that the irony of asking a child with suspected ADHD to sit still for a brain scan isn't lost on anyone. Here's how we make it work.
You book online, complete the intake form, and arrive with your child. We explain the process in age-appropriate language — no scary medical jargon. Your child can hold the cap, see the electrodes, and understand that we're just "listening to their brain." You stay in the room the entire time.
We place a lightweight textile cap on their head with four small, dry, spring-loaded electrodes. No gel, no paste, no needles, no discomfort. The electrodes sit on the scalp through the hair using gentle spring pressure. Two small clips attach to the earlobes. Setup takes about 5 minutes.
Phase 1 (2 minutes): Eyes open, looking at a cross on the screen. "Just look at the cross and try to stay still." Most children manage this well.
Phase 2 (2 minutes): Eyes closed, relaxing. "Close your eyes and relax, like you're about to fall asleep." Children often find this the easiest phase.
Phase 3 (3 minutes): The Go/No-Go game. "Press the button when you see a green circle. Don't press when you see a red square." Children generally enjoy this part — it feels like a game.
We get it — that's often why you're here. We take breaks between phases if needed. If a recording phase is too noisy due to movement, we redo it. If your child really can't tolerate the cap, we'll offer a free retry on another day or a 50% refund. We never force a recording — your child's comfort comes first.
Within hours of the scan, you receive a professional PDF report showing your child's theta/beta ratio with z-score, attention task performance, full frequency analysis, and comparison against age-specific norms for their exact age group. A 7-year-old is compared against 6-7 year data, a 12-year-old against 12-13 year data.
Brain activity changes dramatically as children develop. A theta/beta ratio that's completely normal for a 6-year-old might be elevated for a 14-year-old. That's why age-matched norms are essential — and why generic "brain mapping" services that use one-size-fits-all comparisons are scientifically questionable.
| Age group | Normative mean TBR | Standard deviation | Clinical threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-7 years | 5.1 | 1.2 | 7.5 |
| 8-9 years | 4.5 | 1.1 | 6.7 |
| 10-11 years | 3.9 | 0.9 | 5.7 |
| 12-13 years | 3.4 | 0.8 | 5.0 |
| 14-15 years | 2.9 | 0.7 | 4.3 |
| 16-17 years | 2.5 | 0.7 | 3.9 |
Normative data compiled from Arns et al. (2013), Monastra et al. (1999), Clarke et al. (2001), Ogrim et al. (2012), and our own computed norms from 311 subjects across the Mendeley and IEEE open-access datasets. All sources are peer-reviewed and cited in every report.
To be clear: our screening does not replace the NHS diagnostic process. ADHD diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical assessment. But our report gives you objective evidence to take into that process — evidence that can help your GP justify an urgent referral, support a Right to Choose application, or provide your private psychiatrist with data they wouldn't otherwise have. For schools, it can strengthen EHCP applications with objective neurological evidence.
We screen children aged 6 and above. Our normative database includes age-matched data for age groups 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, and 16-17. Each child is compared against their correct peer group, not a generic adult baseline. There's no upper age limit.
Completely. The electrodes passively listen to the tiny electrical signals the brain naturally produces. No electricity goes into the body. No needles, no radiation, no gel, no discomfort, and absolutely no side effects. It's the same technology used safely in children's hospitals and sleep clinics worldwide. Parents stay in the room throughout.
We understand — difficulty sitting still is often the very reason you're here. The recording is only 7 minutes total, split into three phases with breaks available. We're experienced with children who find it challenging. If a phase is too noisy, we redo it free of charge. If your child really can't tolerate the cap, we offer a free retry on another day or a 50% refund.
Our reports include peer-reviewed citations from published research, z-scores against age-matched norms, and clear clinical context. Many GPs in the region have received our reports and used them to support CAMHS referrals, Right to Choose applications, and school EHCP evidence. The comprehensive package includes a formal clinical letter specifically designed for GP presentation.
No. This is an objective brain screening that provides quantitative data to support a clinical evaluation. ADHD diagnosis in children requires assessment by a qualified clinician including clinical interview, behavioural rating scales (Conners, SNAP-IV), teacher reports, developmental history, and assessment of differential diagnoses. Our report is powerful additional evidence, not a standalone diagnosis.
Absolutely. ADHD has three presentations: predominantly inattentive (the "daydreamer"), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined type. Inattentive ADHD is significantly underdiagnosed in girls because they often don't display the disruptive hyperactivity that draws attention. Our screening measures brain activity patterns, not behaviour — it can detect the cortical hypoarousal pattern regardless of how it manifests behaviourally.
Yes. Several SENCOs use our reports as supporting evidence for EHCP applications and SEN assessments. The comprehensive package includes a clinical interpretation letter particularly useful for educational contexts. Our reports provide objective, citable neurological evidence that EHCP panels take seriously alongside educational psychology reports and teacher observations.
Wash their hair on the day (no heavy products). Make sure they've had a normal night's sleep and eaten before the appointment. Avoid excessive sugar or caffeine beforehand. Explain that they'll wear a "special hat" that listens to their brain — make it sound interesting, not scary. Bring a book or tablet for them to use while they wait between phases.
For an initial baseline scan, most clinicians prefer an unmedicated recording — discuss with your prescribing doctor. For a medication comparison scan (£345), take the medication as normal so we can measure its effect. We can accommodate either approach and advise during booking.
Our protocol is specifically designed for ADHD screening using the theta/beta ratio biomarker. However, the full frequency analysis can reveal patterns associated with other conditions — elevated alpha may relate to anxiety, specific theta patterns to learning difficulties. We note any unusual findings but don't claim to screen for conditions beyond ADHD.
A normal theta/beta ratio doesn't rule out ADHD — it means this particular biomarker isn't elevated. ADHD is complex with multiple presentations, and not all subtypes show elevated TBR. A normal result is still valuable: it tells the clinician that cortical hypoarousal is likely not the primary factor, helping narrow the diagnostic picture. It may also provide reassurance if you were uncertain.
We're based in Macclesfield, Cheshire — easily accessible from Manchester (30 min), Stockport (20 min), Wilmslow (10 min), Knutsford (15 min), Warrington (35 min), and Chester (45 min). Free parking available. We also offer sessions at selected locations across the North West by arrangement.
Get objective brain data this week. Same-day report. Evidence your GP will take seriously.
