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Greater Glasgow and Clyde Glasgow City · Renfrewshire · East and West Dunbartonshire · Inverclyde · East Renfrewshire
Pathway documented

ADHD and autism assessment pathway

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is Scotland's largest health board, covering around 1.2 million people.

Last verified: July 2026 · Source: nhsggc.org.uk

Adult ADHD referrals in NHSGGC increased by around 1,000% between 2020 and 2023 (Scottish Parliament Research Briefing SB 25-25, June 2025). Waiting times are long. Most adults referred today are waiting several years.

Getting assessed as an adult

Adults in NHSGGC are referred by their GP to adult mental health or psychiatry services for ADHD and autism assessment.

1
See your GP

Bring specific examples of how your symptoms affect your daily life. Mention that difficulties have been present since childhood, even if unrecognised. A completed ADHD screener or autism screener can give the conversation structure.

2
GP submits referral

Your GP refers you to NHSGGC adult mental health services. The referral is triaged to the appropriate service for assessment. Ask your GP for a written record of the referral date.

3
Waiting list

You are placed on a waiting list. Due to the significant increase in demand since 2020, waiting times are lengthy. See current reported wait times for NHSGGC.

4
Assessment appointment

Your assessment should use validated tools. For ADHD this typically includes a structured interview such as DIVA and rating scales such as Conners. For autism, ADOS-2 is the gold-standard observational tool. A thorough assessment draws on information from more than one source.

5
Diagnosis and next steps

You receive a clinical outcome with an explanation. If diagnosed with ADHD, prescribing and titration may follow. If diagnosed as autistic, you will be directed to relevant support services.

Getting your child assessed

Children are typically referred by their GP to CAMHS or to community paediatrics, depending on age and presentation. NHSGGC has one of the largest children's waiting lists in Scotland, with over 7,000 young people waiting for neurodevelopmental assessment as of March 2025. Under the national Children's Neurodevelopmental Pathway framework (NAIT, 2021), support should be available based on need — not diagnosis. You should not need to wait for a formal diagnosis before asking for help at school or from other services.

1
GP or professional raises concern

A GP, school, or other professional raises concerns about a child's development. Parents can also raise concerns directly with their GP.

2
GP submits referral

Referral goes to CAMHS or community paediatrics depending on the child's age and needs. Children with co-existing mental health concerns are more likely to be seen by CAMHS.

3
Waiting list

The child is placed on a waiting list. Waits in NHSGGC are among the longest in Scotland. See reported figures for current estimates.

4
Assessment and outcome

Assessment involves the child, parents, and usually school. A clinical decision is made and appropriate support is recommended.

Private diagnosis and NHS shared care

NHSGGC has a published policy on the referral of privately diagnosed ADHD patients into NHS mental health services, available via Right Decisions (NHSGGC, 2024). This means that if you receive a private ADHD diagnosis, there is a documented process for transitioning into NHS care for ongoing prescribing support.

Whether your GP agrees to a shared care arrangement is still their decision. Our shared care guide explains your rights and what to do if your GP declines.

The Scottish Parliament debated NHSGGC shared care agreements specifically on 24 April 2025, which resulted in acknowledgement from ministers that the situation needed to improve.

While you wait — support and resources

You do not need a formal diagnosis to access most of the following resources. Support is available now.

Peer support in Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Glasgow has several active ADHD peer groups. No diagnosis is required to attend most groups.

Find local ADHD support groupsScottish ADHD Coalition map of peer groups across Glasgow and Clyde — no diagnosis needed to attend ADHD Parent Support West GlasgowParent-led group for families affected by ADHD in west Glasgow

NHSGGC resources

NHSGGC — Learning Disability, Autism and NeurodivergenceNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde services and information for autistic and neurodivergent people

Scotland-wide support organisations

ADHD ScotlandScotland's ADHD charity — helpline, resources, and support for all ages Scottish AutismSupport, advice, and resources for autistic people and their families across Scotland Scottish ADHD CoalitionBringing together ADHD organisations across Scotland — resources, campaigns, and local group finder

Your child's school rights — no diagnosis needed

Schools in Scotland are required to support children with additional needs under the Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2004. No diagnosis is required. Ask your child's school about a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) or Individual Education Programme — these can be put in place while waiting for assessment.

If the wait is too long, our compare tool lists private providers in and around Glasgow, with filters for HIS registration, cost, and shared care support.

Sources

ADHD Scot is an independent, non-clinical information project. This page is based on publicly available information and may not reflect real-time changes to NHS services. Always confirm current referral routes with your GP or NHSGGC directly.