Free online event: ADHD in children – what to look for and what to do next

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If you’re wondering whether your child’s struggles might be related to ADHD and what you’re meant to do about it, you’re far from alone. Many parents and carers find themselves asking similar questions. What should I be looking for? Should I seek an assessment now? What support can schools provide?

On Tuesday 21^st July 2026 at 7pm, the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre is hosting a free online webinar for parents and carers who want practical, straightforward information about ADHD in children.

The session will be presented by Dr Heidi Phillips, a Specialist GP in Neurodiversity at the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre. Dr Phillips frequently works with families who are navigating these questions. This webinar will be a reassuring and practical chance to address common misconceptions and learn clinically accurate information from a highly experienced and specialised practitioner.

The goal is to help you understand how to recognise possible signs of ADHD in children, understand when to seek support, and feel clearer about what to do next.

The session will cover a range of topics including:

Recognising the signs of ADHD in children

ADHD does not always present the way people expect. There are many misconceptions online about what ADHD symptoms are. Dr Phillips will explain what to look for as indicators of ADHD that a clinician will consider relevant in an assessment.

Understanding when to seek support

Many parents and carers are unsure when to explore an ADHD assessment. There is no specific “right” age or time. Dr Phillips will explain how to use a needs-based approach to recognise when your child’s difficulties are affecting their daily life, and how to think about accessing support, particularly if exams or school transitions are on the horizon.

What an ADHD assessment involves

There are a wide range of approaches to ADHD assessment between different providers. So what’s required for a thorough assessment that’s likely to give you an accurate outcome? It’s important to include any information that lets the clinician see the story of your child in different settings. Dr Phillips will share the key ingredients she considers important for a thorough assessment. These include crucial steps before the assessment interview to equip the clinician with what they need.

What happens after an assessment

What should you expect from the report after an assessment? What if there is no ADHD diagnosis? It’s common to worry about what happens if your child doesn’t receive a diagnosis you’re expecting. But responsible clinical care aims to support a patient with their challenges and needs, no matter the outcome of an assessment.

School support, exams and advocacy

Many parents and carers expect an ADHD diagnosis to automatically lead to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Dr Phillips will explain the reality of how this works. She’ll also explain when to ask a school for reasonable adjustments without an assessment, and how to advocate effectively for your child at school.

Dr Heidi Phillips is an advanced ADHD practitioner with nearly 30 years’ experience as an NHS clinician. She is the founder and Chair of the British Association for Neurodiversity (BAND), a membership organisation made up of UK doctors with an interest in neurodiversity, and founder and Chair of the Royal College’s Neurodiversity Special Interest Group. She also sits on the NHSE Clinical reference group for ADHD and the Welsh Government advisory group for neurodiversity.

Event details: ‘ADHD in children: What to look for and what to do next’

Date: Tuesday 21^st July 2026

Time: 7:00pm to 8:15pm

Where: Online 

Cost: Free

Can’t make it live? Register anyway. Everyone who signs up will receive access to the recording afterwards.

Click here to register now

Hosted by Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre, with Dr Heidi Phillips, Specialist GP in Neurodiversity.