ADHD and autism assessment pathway
NHS Forth Valley covers Stirling, Falkirk, and Clackmannanshire, serving around 310,000 people. It does not operate condition-specific ADHD or autism assessment pathways, assessments are handled through general mental health services where referral criteria are met.
NHS Forth Valley confirmed in response to an FOI request in July 2026 that it does not hold waiting time data for ADHD or autism assessment in an extractable format. The figures on this page are the closest available data as provided by the board.
Reviewed by ADHD Scot,
Getting your child assessed
CAMHS in NHS Forth Valley does not operate condition-specific waiting lists for ADHD or autism. Children are instead invited to a Choice appointment first, an initial meeting with a CAMHS clinician where the referral, next steps, and most appropriate pathway are discussed together with the family.
These figures are for the Choice appointment only, not for the full assessment or diagnosis. The wait for a formal ADHD or autism assessment after the Choice appointment is not recorded in an extractable format by NHS Forth Valley.
Ask your GP to refer your child to CAMHS NHS Forth Valley. Be specific about the concerns, behaviour at home, school difficulties, developmental history. A completed questionnaire from school or a GP letter supporting the referral helps.
The current median wait is 5 weeks. At this appointment, a CAMHS clinician will discuss your child's needs, the referral, and the most appropriate next steps. It is not the assessment itself.
Following the Choice appointment, the CAMHS team will discuss next steps for assessment. NHS Forth Valley does not publish waiting times for this stage, ask the CAMHS team directly at your Choice appointment.
Getting assessed as an adult
NHS Forth Valley does not operate a dedicated adult ADHD or autism assessment service. Adults may be assessed for ADHD or autism through the Secondary Care Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) where they meet the referral criteria for secondary care services. Not all adults will meet the threshold for secondary care referral.
The 12-week figure is a target, not an actual waiting time, and it is for accepted secondary care referrals generally, not specifically for ADHD or autism assessment. NHS Forth Valley does not record ADHD/autism-specific waiting times for adults. Adults who do not meet the secondary care threshold may find there is no NHS assessment route available to them in this board area.
Request a referral for ADHD or autism assessment. Be clear about how your symptoms affect your daily life, work, and relationships. A completed ADHD screener or autism screener can support this conversation.
Your GP will decide whether your presentation meets the criteria for secondary care CMHT referral. If it does not, ask what alternatives are available and whether they can advise on the pathway for ADHD or autism specifically.
If accepted for secondary care, the board's target is to see you within 12 weeks. ADHD and autism will be considered as part of a broader mental health assessment. Condition-specific waiting time data is not published.
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 Forth Valley
Scotland-wide support organisations
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 about a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) or Individual Education Programme, these can be put in place while waiting for assessment.
Given the limited NHS pathway for adults in Forth Valley, our compare tool lists private providers in central Scotland with filters for HIS registration, cost, and shared care support. Our shared care guide explains what happens after a private diagnosis.
References
- FOI response FOI/0010464, NHS Forth Valley, 10 July 2026, provided in response to a request from ADHD Scot
- NHS Forth Valley, nhsforthvalley.com
- Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, ADHD and autism pathways and support, January 2026