Waiting Well: families
Free practical guides and printable tools for parents and carers supporting a child or young person while waiting for assessment or further support. No diagnosis, account or screening purchase is needed. Include their views in a way that suits them and choose any topic below.
For me
For my child or young person
Waiting Well resources
Urgent help
If you are becoming overwhelmed, here are some contacts to talk to:
1
Support while waiting for assessment
Read this
Keep in touch with the people supporting your child and ask what help can be considered now.
Use this
Record referral details, service contacts and next steps. Ask how to report changes in your child's needs. NHS guidance says home and school support should continue while a child waits for referral or assessment.
Read referral record
Download referral and appointment checklist (PDF)
2
Try one helpful change at home
Read this
Choose a routine together and listen to what your child finds easier or harder.
Use this
Try one clear instruction, a smaller first step or a visible reminder. Notice effort and make room for interests. Use the small-change sheet to decide what to try and when to check whether it helps.
Read one thing to try this week
3
Prepare for an appointment together
Read this
Include your child or young person's own words alongside your questions and observations.
Use this
Record strengths, difficulties and real examples. Ask which records the service needs, such as school information or developmental history. Discuss communication needs, breaks or other access arrangements beforehand.
Read appointment preparation
Read concerns and strengths
4
Make a practical plan with school
Read this
Prepare a conversation about current needs, your child's views and support already helping.
Use this
In England, speak to the teacher or SENCO. Elsewhere, ask the school's support team. Describe a specific situation, discuss a change, and agree who will organise it and when to review it.
Use the school conversation planner
5
Prepare for a new class or college
Read this
A transition is a useful time to review what helps and who your young person can approach.
Use this
Start with what they want others to understand. Contact a new college before they start to discuss needs. Ask who their contact will be, how information will be shared and what to expect in the first few weeks.
Plan an education conversation
Read support contacts
6
Find support for the family
Read this
Consider who you and your child can talk to, and what help each of you would find useful.
Use this
Share & Care is for parents and people aged 16 and over affected by ADHD. Its next date is awaiting announcement. Read the first-visit information and check eligibility, cost and supporter arrangements. Ask the charity about younger children or other support needs.
Read about Share & Care
Read support contacts
7
Free guides and printable tools
Read this
All six practical resources are free to read online and print. No diagnosis, account or screening purchase is needed.
Use this
Choose the pages that help, write on paper or in your own private file, and share only what you choose. You can return to any topic whenever you need it.
Browse all Waiting Well resources
Download all six worksheets (PDF)
8
Urgent help
Read this
If someone's life is at risk, or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E. In England, urgent mental health help is available through 111, choosing the mental health option, or an urgent GP appointment. Samaritans: 116 123, free, day or night.
Use this
For urgent support routes across the UK, open Urgent help.
Further guidance: NHS children and young people; GOV.UK SEN support (England).
About this guidance
Practical planning tools. They do not diagnose ADHD or replace individual professional advice.
Prepared for: Matthew Lock ADHD Charity. Draft content: AI-assisted. Source and accessibility check: 14 November 2026. Charity reviewer: pending sign-off. Review status: not yet clinically reviewed.
Waiting Well resources
Back to Waiting Well
Urgent help across the UK
NHS: Where to get urgent help for mental health
Samaritans: Contact a Samaritan
References and resources
Hallowell, E.M., & Ratey, J. J. (1994). Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder. Anchor Books.
Resource topic:
Understanding ADHD
Barkley, R.A. (2020). Taking Charge of Adult ADHD (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Resource topic:
Understanding ADHD
Brown, T.E. (2013). A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults: Executive Function Impairments. Routledge.
Resource topic:
Tracking Symptoms and Executive Function
Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2016). Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach. The Guilford Press.
Resource topic:
Tracking Symptoms and Executive Function
Solanto, M.V. (2011). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD: Targeting Executive Dysfunction. The Guilford Press.
Resource topic:
Routines and ADHD-Friendly Systems
Sarkis, S.M. (2017). Natural Relief for Adult ADHD: Complementary Strategies for Increasing Focus, Attention, and Motivation. New Harbinger Publications.
Resource topic:
Routines and ADHD-Friendly Systems
Porges, S.W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, Self-Regulation. Norton.
Resource topic:
Regulation Techniques
Fisher, J. (2017). Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self-Alienation. Routledge.
Resource topic:
Regulation Techniques
Neff, K.D. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. William Morrow.
Resource topic:
Self-Compassion and Mental Health
Ramsay, J.R., & Rostain, A. L. (2015). The Adult ADHD Tool Kit: Using CBT to Facilitate Coping Inside and Out. Routledge
Resource topic:
Self-Compassion and Mental Health