ADHD and autism assessment in Glasgow

NHS routes, private providers, costs, and what to expect if you are seeking an ADHD or autism assessment in Glasgow or the surrounding area

NHS assessment in Glasgow

NHS ADHD and autism assessment in the Glasgow area is provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), which covers Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, and East Renfrewshire.

For adults, referrals go through your GP to adult psychiatry or a specialist neurodevelopmental service. For children and young people, referrals typically go through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

NHS waiting times in Greater Glasgow and Clyde are among the longest in Scotland, reflecting the size of the population and high demand. Most adults referred today are waiting several years for an NHS assessment. You can see current reported figures on our NHS waiting times page.

Getting a referral

To start the NHS process, speak to your GP. It helps to:

  • Be specific about your symptoms — give examples from everyday life, not just "I can't concentrate"
  • Mention that symptoms have been present since childhood, even if they were not recognised at the time
  • Complete a validated screener beforehand — our ADHD self-screener or autism screener can give you something concrete to bring to your appointment
  • Ask specifically for a referral to the neurodevelopmental or adult psychiatry service for assessment

If your GP is reluctant, you have the right to ask why and to seek a second opinion from another GP within the same practice.

Private assessment in Glasgow

A number of private providers offer ADHD and autism assessments in Glasgow and the surrounding area, either in-person or online. Private assessment typically costs between £800 and £2,000 for adults, with some variation depending on the provider and whether ADHD and autism are assessed together.

Key things to consider when choosing a private provider:

HIS registration — Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is Scotland's regulator for private healthcare. An HIS-registered provider has been inspected and meets required standards. Not all private providers operating in Scotland are registered. You can filter by HIS status on our compare tool.

Shared care support — If you receive a private ADHD diagnosis and are prescribed medication, you will initially need to collect private prescriptions. Many people then ask their NHS GP to take over prescribing through a shared care agreement, which is cheaper long-term. Not all GPs agree to this, and not all private providers actively support the process. See our shared care guide for more detail.

Assessment method — A thorough assessment uses validated rating scales (such as Conners, DIVA 2.0, or ADOS-2 for autism) and gathers information from someone who knows you, not just self-report. Our compare tool shows which providers use validated tools.

Find private providers near Glasgow →

After a diagnosis in Glasgow

ADHD medication

If you receive an ADHD diagnosis and are prescribed medication privately, you can ask your NHS GP to take over prescribing. This requires a shared care agreement. NHSGGC has a shared care protocol for ADHD medication, but individual GPs retain the right to decline. Our shared care guide explains the process and what to do if your GP refuses.

Autism support

Following an autism diagnosis, support in Glasgow is available through a range of routes. The Glasgow City HSCP coordinates adult social care, and the Autism Resource Centre offers support specifically for autistic adults in the city. Our after diagnosis page has more guidance.

Support groups

Glasgow has an active community of people with ADHD and autism. Local peer support groups, both in-person and online, can be found through ADHD UK and the Scottish Autism network. Our support page links to national organisations that can point you to local groups.

Useful links

ADHD Scot is an independent, non-clinical information project. Nothing here is medical advice. If you think you may have ADHD or autism, the right first step is a conversation with your GP.