ADHD and ASD (AUTISM)

ADHD and Autism (ASD) Referrals – No GP appointment needed (unless referral is for a child not in an education setting).

If you think you or your child may have ADHD or ASD), you no longer need to book an appointment with the GP to begin the referral process. If you know that you would like a referral, you can choose between the NHS and Right to Choose pathways.

The wait for NHS ADHD and ASD referrals is very long (approximately 3 years). Right to Choose (RtC) will allow you to consider an alternative option to avoid waiting so long for a diagnosis and post- diagnostic support. Please visit the ADHD UK website to choose your provider if you would like to go down the RtC route - Right to Choose - ADHD UK. Please make sure you choose a provider who is authorised to provide NHS ADHD medication prescriptions.

For ASD referrals please use this website: National Autistic Society

If you would like to be referred under the NHS (not Right to Choose), or are uncertain about whether a referral is the right thing to do, you can book an appointment with our mental health team/Linkworker at the surgery by completing an Anima or contacting reception in the usual way.

If you would like to go down the RtC route, once you have chosen your provider (this is your choice), please go on to that provider's website and download all the appropriate forms they require you to complete. Once completed, please submit these back to the secretaries (via reception) or attach to an Amina admin request to process the referral.

Once the secretaries have completed the GP forms, please be aware that you may receive a telephone call about your mental health status (suicide risk) before we can officially make the referral, as many of the RtC providers require this information with the referral.

Once we have submitted the referral to your chosen provider, the provider should then contact you directly. Please take a note of your chosen provider's waiting list time and if you have any queries about this, or have not heard from them within the stated time, please contact your provider directly.

If you are currently on a NHS waiting list for assessment, you will need to come off that list to be referred to a private RtC provider. You cannot stay on both.

For Children and Young People (under 18) in Education: Schools can refer directly for ADHD and Autism assessments and are best placed to do so, as they can gather the necessary information. Please discuss this with your child's teacher or SENCO.
For Children and young People not in Education: If your child is educated at home, you can discuss the referral with your GP.

Private Referrals

If you would like to be referred to a private provider, you can request this from your GP. Please be aware that any ongoing treatment would have to be funded privately, including any prescriptions that are recommended. If you want to transfer your care to NHS or Right to Choose at a later time, you will still have to wait the same amount of time as other patients on the waiting list.

Published: Dec 11, 2025