Autism and ADHD

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people’s behaviour.

There are lots of information available to help you to understand Autism and ADHD

If you think that you or a family member have traits of Autism and/or ADHD, see the links below for more information;

Signs of Autism in Adults

Signs of Autism in Children

ADHD in children and young people

ADHD in Adults

If you would like to be referred for an Adult Autism and/or ADHD assessment via the North Yorkshire and York NHS Platform –

Please click on the link for the DO IT Profiler where referrals are clinically triaged by The Retreat:
https://doitprofiler.net//account/clientlogin/aa73218c-7caa-4b81-93fc-c7f5da0691be?a=Register

Children’s Autism Assessment Service

The Children’s Autism Assessments Service is based in both Harrogate and Hambleton/Richmondshire, and provides an autism assessment and diagnosis pathway for children and young people aged 0-19.

Parents and carers can self-refer their child or young person here – Children’s Autism Assessment Service – Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Step-by-Step guide if you think you’re child has Autism

Children’s ADHD Assessments

If your child frequently experiences common signs of ADHD and it’s affecting their day-to-day life, please contact the surgery to book a routine consultation with a GP to discuss your concerns.

Ahead of your appointment, its helpful to:

Talk to your child’s teacher and the school special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) about what they have noticed too.
Complete the Parent/Carer Questionnaire

There is no single, definitive test for ADHD. A clinical diagnosis will be made when gathering all the information from observations, discussions, questionnaires and information from your child’s school.

The GP will discuss all of this and then a referral for assessment can be made.

Step-by-Step guide if you think you’re child has ADHD

Right to Choose

If you are based in England under the NHS you now have a legal right to choose your mental healthcare provider and your choice of mental healthcare team, this includes for referrals relating to Autism and ADHD assessment.

This service is offered through the NHS and is free.

Which providers offer Right to Choose assessments?

There are several clinics throughout the UK that can offer Right to Choose assessments.

The list of providers is constantly updating but below are some of the choices available. There may be other clinics which you may want to research too.

ADHD Assessment Providers via Right to Choose for Adults and Children

ADHD UK – https://adhduk.co.uk/ has lots of useful support information.

ADHD UK have listed providers on their website https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/

Autism Assessment Providers via Right to Choose for Adults and Children

RTN Mental Health – https://rtnmentalhealth.co.uk/nhs-services/right-to-choose/

ProblemShared – https://www.problemshared.net/right-to-choose

Clinical Partners – https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/nhs-services/right-to-choose

Psychiatry-UK – https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose-asd/

Skylight Psychiatry – https://www.skylightpsychiatry.co.uk/nhs-right-to-choose/

Things to consider about Right to Choose

It is important to note that many of the clinics mentioned can offer a diagnosis but are rarely able to offer medication titration.

This means that you may be able to obtain a diagnosis, but often you will need a local NHS referral should they find that you need to start medication to control your symptoms.

Choosing a Provider

There are numerous providers available with varying waiting times, each provider will state their own wait times.

For all Right to Choose referrals, the patient, or family member if a child, need to research and select a clinic themselves, it is not something the GP can advise on.

All the providers require different forms, letters and information, unfortunately there is not a standard referral that can be sent to any provider.

Once you have chosen the provider you would like to be referred to, you will need to complete all the relevant documents, then email us on hnyicb-ny.lambertmc@nhs.net confirming which provider you have chosen, ensuring any documents that are required are completed and attached. This will enable us to process the referral efficiently.

When can you not use Right to Choose?

There are some restrictions on which patients are eligible for a Right to Choose assessment and the below is a list of the reasons you would not be eligible:

You need urgent or emergency treatment – this is often not relevant as there are rarely times when this type of referral is considered urgent, but is still worth noting here
You already receive care and treatment for the condition you are seeking an assessment for
The organisation or clinical team you’ve chosen does not provide the right care for your condition
You are a prisoner or on temporary release from prison
You are detained in prescribed accommodation such as a court, secure training centre, immigration removal centre or young offender’s institute
You are detained in a secure hospital setting
You are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007)
You are a serving member of the armed forces

Why would I choose a Right to Choose referral if I cannot easily obtain medication that way?

Many patients feel a diagnosis would be enough to request further support / considerations from school or employers and some patients may not require medication for these conditions at all