Common questions about ADHD & autism in Scotland

The first step is usually to speak to your GP. Tell them about your concerns and ask for a referral for a formal assessment. It helps to go prepared — bring specific examples of how your difficulties affect your daily life, at work, in relationships, or managing everyday tasks. A list of examples is more useful than a general description.

If you'd like a starting point before speaking to your GP, our ADHD self-screener and autism self-screener can help you identify and organise your thoughts. Neither is required for a referral, but they can help start the conversation.

For NHS assessment: yes. In Scotland, NHS ADHD and autism assessments require a GP referral. You cannot self-refer to NHS services.

For private assessment: no. You can contact a private provider directly and self-refer without involving your GP. However, it is still worth informing your GP, particularly if you are hoping to arrange shared care for medication afterwards.

They are separate assessments that look at different things.

An ADHD assessment evaluates attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and how these affect daily functioning. It typically involves structured interviews, standardised questionnaires, and a review of your history across different settings.

An autism assessment looks at social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of thinking and behaviour. It usually takes longer, involves more sessions, and may include developmental history — sometimes input from a parent or someone who knew you as a child.

Some providers offer a combined assessment if you want to explore both at the same time. See our AuDHD page for more on having both.

Yes — and it is more common than many people realise. Research suggests around half of autistic adults also have ADHD, and a significant proportion of people with ADHD are also autistic. The combination is sometimes called AuDHD.

The two conditions are clinically distinct and each needs to be assessed separately. They can also mask each other, which sometimes means one is missed. See our AuDHD page for more.

Some providers assess for both simultaneously; others do them separately. If you think both might apply to you, read our AuDHD guide first — the order of assessment can matter, and the combination affects how each condition presents. It is worth raising both with your GP and with any provider you approach.

Our ADHD self-screener and autism screener can both help you put words to what you are experiencing before speaking to your GP. Neither is a diagnostic tool, but both give you something concrete to bring to an appointment.

Our AuDHD guide also explains why the two conditions so often co-occur and what that means for getting assessed and supported.

Wait times vary significantly between health boards. Some are around 12–18 months; others are considerably longer, with some boards reporting waits of several years. Our NHS waiting times page collects the latest figures reported by boards across Scotland.

Under Scotland's Treatment Time Guarantee, NHS boards must treat patients within 18 weeks of referral. This guarantee is frequently breached for ADHD and autism services.

No. Right to Choose is an NHS England policy that allows patients to choose an alternative provider — including some private providers — for their NHS-funded assessment. It does not apply in Scotland.

In Scotland, your GP refers you to your local health board's assessment service and there is currently no equivalent policy. This is one reason NHS waiting times are a more pressing issue in Scotland than in England.

Yes. Being on an NHS waiting list does not prevent you from seeking a private assessment at the same time. Going private does not automatically remove you from the NHS list — you would need to ask to be removed if you no longer want the NHS appointment.

Some people choose to remain on the NHS list even after a private diagnosis, in case they need NHS services in future.

Ask your GP to explain their reasons and to record them in your notes. You have the right to a second opinion from another GP within the same practice, or to register with a different practice.

If you believe clinical guidance is not being followed, you can contact the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) — available through Citizens Advice Scotland — for independent advice. You can also raise a formal concern with your health board.

As an alternative, you can self-refer directly to a private provider without needing GP involvement.

Provision varies significantly across Scotland. Some boards have dedicated adult neurodevelopmental services; others route ADHD through general adult psychiatry; a small number of areas have very limited adult provision.

Ask your GP what is available locally, and check our NHS waiting times page, which covers what each health board has reported about their services and current waits.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is Scotland's independent inspectorate for health services. Private clinics and independent medical agencies operating in Scotland can apply to be registered and inspected by HIS. Registration means the provider has been assessed against national quality and safety standards.

HIS registration is not a legal requirement for all private providers, but it is a meaningful mark of accountability. Our compare tool lets you filter to HIS-registered providers only.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in mental health. They can prescribe medication and are qualified to diagnose ADHD and autism. They are regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC).

A psychologist holds a psychology degree and doctorate but is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication. Psychologists can conduct ADHD and autism assessments and are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Both can produce a valid diagnosis. However, if you are hoping to arrange shared care for medication through your GP, a psychiatrist-led assessment is generally more straightforward, as GPs are more familiar with accepting shared care from a fellow medic.

A thorough ADHD assessment should include:

• A structured clinical interview covering your current symptoms and how they affect daily life
• A review of your developmental history — symptoms should have been present since childhood
• Validated rating scales (such as the DIVA interview or CAARS questionnaire)
• Consideration of other explanations for your symptoms (such as anxiety, sleep problems, or trauma)
• Ideally, some collateral information — input from a partner, parent, or someone who knows you well
• A written report you can share with your GP

A reputable provider should follow NICE guideline NG87 or Scotland's clinical guidance in SIGN 145. Be cautious of any provider offering a very short single-session assessment with no collateral information.

Costs vary by provider, typically ranging from around £600 to over £1,200 for an adult ADHD assessment. Some providers include a follow-up appointment in the fee; others charge separately. Our compare tool lists current assessment costs for every provider we track, so you can compare them side by side.

In Scotland, the relevant regulator for clinics and independent services is Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) — not the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which covers England only. HIS registration means the facility has been inspected against national quality and safety standards.

Individual clinicians are registered with their professional bodies: the GMC for doctors, HCPC for psychologists, and NMC for nurses. You can check any clinician's registration directly on those bodies' websites. Our compare tool lets you filter to HIS-registered providers.

Yes — many Scottish residents use online providers based in England, and this is increasingly common for assessments delivered by video. What matters is that the clinician is appropriately regulated and experienced, the assessment meets Scottish clinical standards (SIGN 145 for ADHD), and the provider has experience supporting shared care with Scottish GPs, whose policies differ from those in England.

Shared care is an arrangement where a private provider (usually a psychiatrist) and your NHS GP share responsibility for your ongoing treatment. In practice, the private provider prescribes your medication initially and oversees titration, then asks your GP to take over routine prescribing once your dose is stable.

In Scotland, shared care is at each GP practice's discretion — there is no national requirement for GPs to accept it. Acceptance varies widely across Scotland. Our shared care page explains this in more detail and includes what to ask your GP before committing to a private assessment.

Not automatically. Your GP may accept a shared care arrangement, but they are not obliged to. Many practices in Scotland do accept shared care; others refuse, or have a policy of waiting until a patient reaches the top of the NHS list.

It is strongly worth asking your own GP practice what their policy is before paying for a private assessment, so you know what to expect. See our shared care page for more.

If your GP declines shared care, your main options are:

• Continue obtaining prescriptions privately, which involves ongoing cost
• Ask your GP to provide their reasons in writing and consider raising this with your health board
• Ask whether a different GP within the same practice might take a different view
• Register with a different GP practice — shared care policies differ between practices

There is currently no legal right in Scotland that compels a GP to accept shared care from a private provider. This is one of the most difficult aspects of the private diagnosis route in Scotland.

Having ADHD does not automatically affect your driving licence. However, you are legally required to tell the DVLA if you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to drive safely. If your ADHD significantly impairs your driving, you must declare it.

Most people with well-managed ADHD drive safely without needing to notify the DVLA. ADHD medications such as methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are legal to take while driving, provided they do not impair you — you must not drive if you feel drowsy, dizzy, or otherwise affected. If you are unsure, discuss this with your prescribing clinician.

Yes — all NHS prescriptions in Scotland are free at the point of dispensing, including ADHD medication. This applies once you have shared care in place and your GP is prescribing on the NHS.

Private prescriptions are not free and typically involve a prescription fee from your clinic plus the cost of the medication at the pharmacy. This is one of the reasons setting up shared care after a private diagnosis matters.

ADHD medication falls into two main categories:

• Stimulants — methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Equasym), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse/Elvanse), and dexamfetamine
• Non-stimulants — atomoxetine (Strattera) and guanfacine (Intuniv)

Which medication is appropriate depends on your individual presentation, other health conditions, and how you respond during titration. Your prescribing clinician will advise. See our medications guide for more detail.

No. Adults diagnosed with ADHD at any age can benefit significantly from both medication and non-medication support. Many people describe a late diagnosis as a turning point — finally having an explanation for lifelong difficulties, and access to treatment that can meaningfully improve daily life.

Medication can improve concentration, organisation, and emotional regulation. Alongside that, strategies for managing ADHD, support from others who understand it, and simply understanding your own brain, all make a difference.

ADHD can present differently in women and girls, and has historically been under-diagnosed in this group. Women are more likely to have inattentive-type ADHD — which is less visible than the hyperactive-impulsive presentation — and are more likely to mask or compensate for their difficulties in ways that make symptoms harder to spot.

Symptoms like emotional dysregulation, difficulty sustaining attention, disorganisation, and chronic overwhelm may be dismissed or attributed to anxiety or low mood. Many women are diagnosed in their 30s or 40s, often after their child is diagnosed, or after a period of burnout.

Some private providers on our compare tool specifically list expertise in late or AFAB (assigned female at birth) ADHD presentations.

AuDHD is an informal term used by people who have both autism and ADHD. The two conditions overlap considerably but are clinically distinct — each needs to be assessed in its own right. In people with both, the conditions can interact in complex ways, and standard advice for either alone may not always apply.

See our AuDHD page for more information.

If your diagnosis is from a private provider, the immediate priority is usually medication if that is part of your treatment plan, and setting up shared care with your GP so prescribing transfers to the NHS.

Beyond that, after diagnosis is a good time to understand your rights — at work, in education, and with public services — and to connect with support. See our after-diagnosis guide for a full overview.

ADHD and autism are both recognised disabilities under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer has a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments if your condition puts you at a substantial disadvantage compared to colleagues — this can include flexible hours, written instructions, quiet working space, or extra time for tasks.

Access to Work is a government scheme that can fund practical support including coaching, assistive technology, and support workers. It is significantly underused by neurodivergent people and is worth exploring even if you are already employed.

Yes. Several organisations offer resources, peer communities, and advocacy specifically in Scotland:

• ADHD Scotland — peer support groups and information
• Scottish ADHD Coalition — advocacy and policy
• Scottish Autism — support services and resources for autistic people and their families
• ADHD UK — community and resources

See our support page for a full list of resources and services.

Yes — there is no age limit for assessment. Many people receive a diagnosis in their thirties, forties, fifties, or later. Late diagnosis is particularly common in women, people who masked their difficulties in childhood, and those from communities where neurodivergence was less recognised or less likely to be referred.

A diagnosis at any age can be genuinely helpful — both in understanding yourself and in accessing appropriate support.