Dr Stephen Attard

Professional background

Dr Attard qualified in medicine from the University of Aberdeen in 2002 (MBChB) and obtained Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) in 2006. He completed his higher specialist training in Forensic Psychiatry in January 2010 and subsequently became a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych). He is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC number 6049044) and is included on the GMC Specialist Register in Forensic Psychiatry.

His professional experience encompasses general and forensic psychiatry, neurodevelopmental conditions, complex psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology and the relationship between mental and physical health.

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ADHD and autism assessment and treatment

At The ADHD & Autism Clinic, Dr Attard undertakes ADHD assessments, autism assessments, ADHD treatment and medication prescribing, and diagnostic reviews. He also contributes to clinical oversight and the maintenance of professional standards.

He has particular expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions, including presentations complicated by coexisting psychiatric disorders, longstanding functional difficulties or diagnostic uncertainty. His experience includes structured diagnostic assessments and instruments for evaluating ADHD and autism.

Dr Attard has contributed to the development of specialist ADHD services, including within NHS prison healthcare, and to research examining ADHD prescribing practices, treatment pathways and transition to shared-care prescribing.

He has a particular interest in psychopharmacology and the safe, effective and individualised use of psychiatric medication. His approach considers developmental history, current symptoms, functional difficulties, physical health, coexisting conditions and alternative explanations.

Find out more about ADHD diagnosis and autism.

Approach to patient care

Dr Attard is known for a thoughtful, attentive and reassuring approach to clinical assessment. He places importance on listening carefully, understanding each patient’s circumstances and giving individuals the opportunity to explain their concerns.

He recognises that adults seeking ADHD or autism assessments may have experienced longstanding difficulties, uncertainty about diagnosis or previous assessments that have not fully explained their experiences. His approach emphasises comprehensive assessment, careful diagnostic reasoning and an understanding of the individual rather than reliance on screening instruments or labels alone.

Where treatment is indicated, he aims to develop evidence-based recommendations that take account of patient preferences, medical history, treatment effectiveness, potential adverse effects and longer-term wellbeing. Clear communication and collaborative decision-making are central to his approach.

NHS clinical experience

Dr Attard has extensive experience across NHS psychiatric services, including general adult psychiatry, psychiatric intensive care, rehabilitation, community forensic services and specialist secure environments. His postgraduate training included placements at Broadmoor Hospital, the John Howard Centre, the North London Forensic Service and specialist prison mental health services.

He has held a consultant appointment with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust since 2018, working with individuals with particularly complex psychiatric and behavioural needs. His professional experience includes care in prison Close Supervision Centres and specialist work relating to complex cases in the prison system.

This breadth of experience informs his approach to psychiatric formulation, differential diagnosis, medication management and the treatment of complex presentations.

Patient reviews on Doctify

Clinical leadership and governance

Dr Attard has substantial experience in clinical leadership, service development and clinical governance across NHS and independent healthcare settings.

Alongside his work at The ADHD & Autism Clinic, he is Registered Manager and Nominated Individual of ADHD Lifestyle Academy – Remote Clinical Advice Service, a separately registered independent healthcare service regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

These responsibilities reflect his experience in healthcare governance and management, including regulatory accountability, professional standards and oversight of clinical care. He has also contributed to specialist psychiatric service development, multidisciplinary leadership, clinical audit and quality improvement.

His leadership experience complements his work at The ADHD & Autism Clinic, where he contributes to thorough, evidence-based assessment and treatment.

Medical education and professional leadership

Dr Attard has a longstanding involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including teaching medical students, supporting doctors in training and supervising colleagues.

He has contributed to international psychiatric education through work associated with the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, supporting the development of specialist forensic psychiatric training.

In 2026, he joined the Executive Committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry. He has also served as a trustee of Prisoners Abroad. These roles reflect his commitment to professional leadership, education and psychiatric service development.

Research and academic publications

Dr Attard has contributed to academic research and professional publications on ADHD treatment, psychopharmacology, medication safety, psychiatric prescribing and forensic psychiatry.

His recent work includes a 2026 educational article on stimulant-induced psychosis associated with ADHD medication and a 2024 research conference abstract on ADHD prescribing practices and the journey from medication initiation to shared-care arrangements.

He has also contributed to publications on the psychiatric management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, cardiac considerations in psychiatric prescribing and prevention of complications associated with clozapine. His earlier research examined psychopathy, aggression and neurobiological and developmental factors associated with violent behaviour.

Independent psychiatric and medico-legal work

Dr Attard is an experienced independent psychiatric expert witness preparing reports for criminal, civil and other legal proceedings. His work includes assessments concerning mental capacity, fitness to plead, psychiatric diagnosis and relationships between mental disorder and behaviour. This requires careful evaluation of evidence, impartial reasoning and clear communication of complex psychiatric opinions.

Selected academic publications

2026 — Stimulant-induced psychosis and ADHD medication

Attard, A., Ironside, H., Attard, S. and Iles, A. (2026). Case-based learning: stimulant-induced psychosis associated with ADHD pharmacotherapy. The Pharmaceutical Journal, 9 June 2026.
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2024 — ADHD prescribing and treatment pathways

Attard, A., Pang, J., Attard, S. and de Waal, H. (2024). Prescribing Habits of Clinicians and Medication Journey of Patients Treated for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Experience From a Large London Clinic. BJPsych Open, 10(S1), S293–S294 (conference abstract).
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2023 — Psychiatric treatment and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Attard, A., Attard, S., Stanniland, C., Iles, A., Rajappan, K., Moazami, S. and Maclennan, F. (2023). Management of Psychiatric Conditions in Patients With Comorbid Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Literature Review and Case Vignette. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 25(1).
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2022 — Brugada syndrome and psychiatric prescribing

Attard, A., Stanniland, C., Attard, S., Iles, A. and Rajappan, K. (2022). Brugada syndrome: should we be screening patients before prescribing psychotropic medication? Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 12.
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2019 — Clozapine and medication safety

Attard, A., Iles, A., Attard, S., Atkinson, N. and Patel, A. (2019). Clozapine: why wait to start a laxative? BJPsych Advances, 25(6), 377–386.
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