ASD / ADHD Assessments

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessments

We understand that an increasing number of both adults and children are seeking assessment for both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This page sets out the local referral pathways, the majority of which can be completed without needing a GP appointment.

If you need assistance in completing the forms please do not book a GP appointment. Help to complete forms can be found by:

Patients under 18 – suspected ADHD

We recommend initially for the patient and their parents/guardians to contact the school/college – the vast majority of children’s ADHD referrals are done this way. Every school has a SENCO who should be familiar with the process.

If the school are not being supportive then you can do a self- referral via CAMHS:

Under 18s  – suspected ASD

Assessments for ASD in children need to be done via GP, education or social care professionals. We would also recommend contacting the child’s school SENCO.

CAMHS ASD support page: https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/help/parents-carers/autistic-spectrum-condition/

If you would like to proceed with a referral please contact reception and an email address to which we can send you the forms. The form can be completed by parents/guardians, returned to us and we will then need to send off the form for you.

Patients Over 18 – suspected ADHD and ASD – local NHS referrals

For referrals for adult ADHD and ASD assessments patients will need to complete a form with their symptoms.

Please let reception know an email address to which we can send the forms. The forms need to either be dropped in for emailed back to us.  

For the adult ASD form you need to complete all sections.

For the adult ADHD form you need to complete section D and supply an up to date height, weight, blood pressure and pulse – all these can be measured using the machines in our waiting rooms.

Right to Choose and Private Providers

We are aware that waiting times for both ADHD and ASD assessments locally are very long. Currently for an initial assessment it can take at least a year.

Patients have the option to pursue a diagnosis out of area via a “right to choose” clinic, or alternately a private provider.

We want to support our patients to access care where possible. We are unable to recommend any clinics, but want to make patients aware not all “right to choose” or private clinics are the same. We recommend choosing a clinic that offers an assessment with a Psychiatrist (a medical doctor who is specialised in psychiatry). The clinic also needs to have been registered and inspected by the CQC.

If you want to proceed with a Right to Choose you can find a list of NHS approved providers and their waiting times here:

https://adhduk.co.uk/right-to-choose/

ADHD medications can only be initiated by a specialist. NHMP doctors cannot start these medications without a diagnosis and recommendation by a specialist.

If ADHD medication is recommended by an NHS clinic (either local or Right to Choose), NHMP can prescribe under a “shared care agreement”. NHMP will only accept a shared care agreement if:

  • If comes from a reputable clinic as outlined above
  • The patient is on a dose of medication within NICE guidelines/British National Formulary
  • The patient has been stable on a medication dose for 6 months.

Once prescribing is taken over by NHMP, patients are usually required to have some monitoring, typically weight, blood pressure and pulse every 6 months. If patients do not comply with this monitoring we reserve the right to discontinue prescribing.  Patients will also need to be seen regularly (usually every 6 or 12 months) by their treating clinic.

Until a shared care agreement is in place, the patient must continue to be seen in their right to choose clinic and all medication needs to be prescribed privately.

NHMP will not enter into any shared care agreements with private clinics. All medication will need to be prescribed by the private provider. We do not offer shared care agreements with any private services.