ADHD & Autism Diagnosis in the UK
NHS, Right to Choose, and private options — updated for 2026. What to expect, what it costs, and how to navigate the system.
The Current Situation (2026)
Sources: NHS Digital Feb 2026, NHS England Dec 2025
ADHD Diagnosis Pathways
Right to Choose — Psychiatry-UK
Wait time: 6-12 months (vs 3-7 years NHS)
Cost: Free — NHS-funded
Format: Online video assessment (~2 hours)
How: Ask your GP to refer you to Psychiatry-UK under Right to Choose. Your GP cannot legally refuse.
What to bring: Our ADHD screener results, school reports (if available), examples of ADHD symptoms in daily life.
After diagnosis: Psychiatry-UK can initiate medication. Shared care with your GP for ongoing prescriptions.
NHS Local Service (GP Referral)
Wait time: 3-7 years (varies hugely by region)
Cost: Free
Format: Usually in-person, 1-3 sessions
How: Tell your GP you suspect ADHD and ask for a referral to the local adult ADHD service.
Reality: Many areas have effectively non-functional services due to overwhelming demand. Right to Choose is usually a better option.
Private Assessment
Wait time: 1-8 weeks
Cost: £500-£1,500
Providers: Clinical Partners (£795), ADHD 360 (£695), private psychiatrists
Pros: Fast, thorough, choose your clinician
Cons: Cost, and some GPs don't accept private diagnoses for shared care (medication prescribing). Check with your GP first.
Autism Diagnosis Pathways
NHS (GP Referral)
Wait time: 1-3 years
Cost: Free
Format: Multi-disciplinary team assessment (psychologist, speech therapist, psychiatrist)
Note: Right to Choose does NOT currently apply to autism diagnosis (only ADHD). Some areas have self-referral — check your local authority.
Private Assessment
Wait time: 2-8 weeks
Cost: £800-£2,500
Providers: NeuroDirect, Axia ASD, private clinical psychologists
Format: 2-3 hour assessment, usually including ADOS-2 or DISCO
Note: Some employers cover diagnostic costs as a reasonable adjustment.
What to Bring to Your GP Appointment
- •JobCannon ADHD Screener results (printed or on phone)
- •JobCannon Autism Screener results (if applicable)
- •List of specific symptoms and how they affect daily life
- •School reports (if available — especially comments about attention, behavior)
- •Mention Right to Choose (for ADHD) — your GP may not know about it
- •A support person if you tend to people-please or minimize symptoms with doctors
- •Written notes — it's hard to articulate everything in a 10-minute appointment
Prepare for Your Appointment
Take our free screeners and bring the results to your GP — it gives them a starting point and shows you've done your research.
FAQ
How long is the NHS ADHD waiting list in 2026?▼
NHS ADHD assessment waiting times range from 3-7 years depending on your area (NHS Digital, 2026). As of December 2025, there are 562,450 open ADHD referrals in England, 70.6% of which are adults. The Right to Choose pathway (Psychiatry-UK) currently takes 6-12 months — significantly faster and still NHS-funded.
What is Right to Choose for ADHD?▼
Right to Choose is your legal right under the NHS Constitution to choose your healthcare provider. For ADHD, this means you can ask your GP to refer you to Psychiatry-UK instead of the local NHS service. Psychiatry-UK typically assesses within 6-12 months (vs 3-7 years NHS). The assessment is online and free — funded by the NHS. Your GP cannot refuse the referral.
Can my GP refuse Right to Choose?▼
No. Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution (Section 3a). If your GP refuses, you can: 1) Show them the NHS guidance on patient choice, 2) Ask to speak to the practice manager, 3) Contact NHS England complaints, 4) Change GP practice. Some GPs are unfamiliar with the process — it helps to bring a printed template letter.
How much does private ADHD diagnosis cost in the UK?▼
Private ADHD assessment costs £500-£1,500 in the UK. Providers include: Psychiatry-UK (also does NHS Right to Choose), Clinical Partners (£795), ADHD 360 (£695), and various private psychiatrists. Some accept shared care with NHS for ongoing medication. Online assessments are typically cheaper than in-person.
How much does private autism diagnosis cost in the UK?▼
Private autism assessment for adults costs £800-£2,500 in the UK. A full diagnostic assessment typically involves 2-3 hours with a specialist. Providers include: NeuroDirect, Axia ASD, and private clinical psychologists. NHS autism assessment typically takes 1-3 years via GP referral.
Can I get diagnosed with both ADHD and autism?▼
Yes. Since DSM-5 (2013), dual diagnosis is recognized. However, you typically need separate assessments — ADHD via psychiatrist, autism via clinical psychologist or specialist team. Right to Choose covers ADHD only; autism requires a separate referral. Some private providers assess both in one evaluation.