Getting assessed for ADHD or autism in Scotland
Whether you are looking into ADHD, autism, or both, there are two routes: through the NHS or through a private provider. Here is where to start.
Reviewed by ADHD Scot,
Two routes to assessment
NHS assessment is free and carried out by specialist services, CAMHS for children, and adult ADHD or neurodevelopmental services for adults. Waiting times are long across Scotland, often measured in years rather than months.
Private assessment is faster but costs money. If you receive a private ADHD diagnosis and need medication, you will usually need your GP to take over prescribing afterwards, this is called shared care.
ADHD
- NHS pathway for ADHD, GP referral, what to expect, waiting times by health board, and what to do if your GP won't refer you
- Going private for ADHD and autism, what a good assessment includes, red flags, and how to compare providers
- Assessment tools and what to expect, what the tools are, what to expect on the day, and why a different toolkit does not mean a worse assessment
- ADHD self-screener, a validated screening questionnaire you can complete now
- Shared care, how to get NHS prescribing after a private ADHD diagnosis
- Right to Choose in Scotland, what it is and why it does not apply here
Autism
- NHS pathway for autism, GP referral, CAMHS, adult neurodevelopmental services, and what to do if you struggle to access care
- Going private for autism, what a good assessment includes, which tools are used, and how to compare providers
Have both? (AuDHD)
Around half of autistic people also have ADHD, and vice versa. If you think this might apply to you, read our AuDHD guide before booking, the order of assessment can matter significantly.
Compare providers and check waiting times
- Not sure which filters to use? Take the guided quiz →, answers a few quick questions and shows you the right providers
- Compare providers, full filterable directory of private assessment providers in Scotland, with costs, HIS registration status, and shared care support
- NHS waiting times by health board, data gathered through Freedom of Information requests, updated as responses arrive
How providers are regulated in Scotland
Scotland's private healthcare regulator is Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), not the CQC, which covers England only. Whether a provider is required to register with HIS depends on the type of clinician involved. Our regulation page explains which services must register, which are exempt, and what "registration in progress" means.
Reviewed by ADHD Scot,