How do you get a second opinion on an ADHD evaluation?

Short answer

Ask the first clinician for a copy of their report, then book with a different qualified clinician, ideally one who evaluates adults often. In the US, check your insurer first. In the UK there is no legal right to a second opinion, but you can ask your GP for another referral. Tell the new clinician what was done before and why you want another view.

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Seeking another opinion is an ordinary part of health care, not an accusation. People do it when an evaluation felt rushed, when the reasoning was unclear, or when a big decision rests on the result. It can go either way: confirm the first view, or reach a different one.

When it is worth considering

The evaluation was very brief or relied mainly on a questionnaire.
You were not asked about childhood, daily life, sleep, mood, or health.
You received no explanation, written or spoken, of how the conclusion was reached.
Important information came to light afterward, such as old school reports or a relative's account.
You simply do not feel the result reflects your experience, even after talking it through.

Step one: talk to the first clinician

Before you go elsewhere, it is often worth one more conversation. Ask what led to the conclusion and whether any extra information would change it. Sometimes that clears things up. If not, ask for a copy of the report and any questionnaires you completed, so the next clinician can see what was done.

Arranging another view in the US

Look for someone who evaluates adults regularly and, if possible, works in a different practice from the first clinician. A university clinic or hospital-based adult program may be an option if one is near you.

Arranging another view in the UK

What to bring to the second clinician

The first report, if you have it, and any test or questionnaire results.
Your own short note on why you are seeking another view.
Any new information, such as school records or a family member's account.
Your current list of medicines and health conditions.

Be open about the earlier evaluation. Hiding it rarely helps, and the new clinician will form their own view either way.

Keeping expectations realistic

Go in looking for a careful answer, not a particular one. A second clinician who reaches the same conclusion with a clear explanation has still given you something valuable: more confidence in the result. If they reach a different conclusion, ask them to explain where their view differs from the first report and why. Either way, you leave with a better understanding of your own situation than you had before.

Give the second evaluation the same preparation as the first: notes on daily life, examples from different settings, and honest answers about what you do and do not remember.

A starting point for your next step.

While you arrange another appointment, the free ASRS screener can give you a fresh snapshot of the past six months to bring along.

Frequently asked questions

Is it rude to ask for a second opinion?

No. Clinicians are used to it, and many expect it when a result matters a great deal to someone. You can ask politely and still keep a good working relationship.

What if the two opinions disagree?

Ask each clinician to explain their reasoning. Sometimes the difference comes down to information one of them did not have. A third view is possible but rarely needed.

Can I get a second opinion on a positive diagnosis too?

Yes. The same steps apply if you were diagnosed and want to be sure, or if someone close to you questions the result.

Sources

Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.

Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.