ADHD and autism assessment in Inverness

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

Reviewed by ADHD Scot,

NHS assessment in Inverness

NHS ADHD and autism assessment in Inverness and the Highlands is provided by NHS Highland, which covers the Highland region and Argyll and Bute, one of the largest health board areas in Scotland by geography.

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 Highland are significant. Our Freedom of Information request to NHS Highland (July 2026) found a median wait of 38 weeks for adult ADHD assessment, with 433 adults waiting, and 127 weeks for adult autism assessment, with 443 waiting. The board does not hold separate CAMHS (under-18) figures for ADHD or autism. The large geographic area also means services can be harder to access for those outside Inverness. See our NHS waiting times page for the full board-by-board picture.

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 struggle to focus"
  • 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 gives you something concrete to bring along
  • Ask specifically for a referral to the neurodevelopmental or adult psychiatry service for assessment

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

Private assessment in Inverness

Local private providers in Inverness and the Highlands are limited. Most people in the area use online providers who deliver assessments by video, available from a wide range of services across Scotland and England. Online assessment is a practical and widely-used option for people in rural or remote areas, and quality varies in the same way as in-person providers. Private assessment typically costs between £800 and £2,000 for adults.

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 providers are legally required to register, services that do not employ, engage, or grant practising privileges to a medical doctor, nurse or other listed professional are exempt, as are England-based online providers regulated by the CQC. Our regulation page explains what this means. 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 pay for 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 GPs in more rural Highland areas may have less experience with ADHD shared care arrangements. 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 online providers serving the Highlands →

After a diagnosis in Inverness

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. NHS Highland has guidance for GPs on shared care for ADHD medication, but individual GPs retain the right to decline. Distance from specialist services can make follow-up more challenging in rural Highland areas. Our shared care guide explains the process and what to do if your GP refuses.

Autism support

Following an autism diagnosis, support in the Highlands is available through Highland Council adult social care and national organisations including Scottish Autism, which provides support across Scotland. Our after diagnosis page has more guidance on next steps.

Support groups

Peer support for ADHD and autism in the Highlands is available through the Scottish ADHD Coalition and national organisations including ADHD UK and Scottish Autism. Online communities are particularly useful for those in more rural areas. Our support page links to the main organisations.

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.

Reviewed by ADHD Scot,