ADHD and autism assessment pathway
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is Scotland's largest health board by population, 1,219,880 (mid-2025 estimate). It reports adult ADHD waiting figures separately for each of its six Health and Social Care Partnerships.
In Glasgow, referrals for adult ADHD assessment to Community Mental Health Teams rose by around 1,000% between 2018 and 2021 (Scottish Parliament Research Briefing SB 25-25, June 2025). In October 2026 the board reported a median wait of 120 weeks, over two years, for adults on its ADHD assessment list.
Reviewed by ADHD Scot,
How long people wait
In June 2026 we asked NHSGGC for its ADHD and autism waiting times under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, and it replied with figures as of early July 2026. We asked again on 20 September 2026 and the board replied on 19 October 2026 (ref FOI 2602337), with adult figures at 3 October 2026. Adult and under-18 services are counted differently, so read them separately.
How long adults wait, by area
Median wait, 3 October 2026 · scale 0 to 5 yearsAdult ADHD wait by area (HSCP)
NHSGGC reports its adult ADHD figures by Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). At 3 October 2026 the median wait ranged from 62 weeks (East Dunbartonshire) to 152 weeks (Glasgow City).
| Area (HSCP) | Median wait, Oct (July) | Number waiting, Oct (July) | Waited over 2 years, Oct |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Dunbartonshire | 62 weeks (56) | 688 (635) | 170 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 66 weeks (58) | 287 (259) | 20 |
| East Renfrewshire | 74 weeks (67) | 607 (582) | 202 |
| Inverclyde | 95 weeks (84) | 305 (296) | 142 |
| Renfrewshire | 94 weeks (88) | 2,378 (2,207) | 1,054 |
| Glasgow City | 152 weeks (139) | 4,895 (4,907) | 3,744 |
| All areas | 120 weeks (111) | 9,160 (8,886) | 5,332 |
Adult ADHD, median wait for people currently on the list, all referral sources. Source: NHSGGC FOI 2602337, data extract 3 October 2026; figures in brackets from FOI 2601315, data extract 5 July 2026. These are waiting times only, not who qualifies for referral, see below.
Adult ADHD
All areas, 3 October 2026
120 weeks median wait, about 2 years 4 months
9,160 waiting (July: 8,886, 111 weeks). In Glasgow City, 4,895 waiting, median 152 weeks (July: 4,907, 139 weeks). The longest wait was 286 weeks. 559 adult ADHD assessments in 2025/26.
Adult autism
Area-wide, 3 October 2026
69 weeks median wait, about 1 year 4 months
2,704 waiting (July: 2,641, 65 weeks). 301 adult autism assessments in 2025/26.
Children, school age
Neurodevelopmental pathway, 2 September 2026
Autism: 4,852 waiting, median 109 weeks for GP referrals. ADHD: 2,498, median 124 weeks. Combined autism and ADHD: 3,057, median 117 weeks.
Pre-school children
Autism pathway, 24 September 2026
2,101 waiting for a first appointment (July: 2,060)
About these figures
- Adult figures count everyone referred (not only GP referrals) and show how long people currently on the list have already waited.
- Under-18s run as one combined neurodevelopmental service that assesses ADHD, autism and other conditions together. The board says referrals are predominantly for a single reason (autism or ADHD), but some are combined, and it reports a separate combined autism and ADHD list.
- The board counts someone as assessed if they attended an initial appointment.
July 2026 figures in full (first FOI response)
A further 3,056 under-18s were waiting for a combined ADHD-and-autism assessment. Adult figures: data extract 5 July 2026.
Getting assessed as an adult
NHSGGC's figures count patients "from all referral sources", not just GPs; the board says most are referred by their GP. For autism, its Autism Spectrum Disorder page says a GP or mental health professional may refer adults to the NHSGGC Adult Autism Team.
Being referred is not automatic. At the time of our review (September 2026) we could find no published board-wide adult ADHD referral criteria on nhsggc.scot.
If you are told you do not meet the threshold, it is worth asking your practice for the written referral criteria and, if you are refused, for the reason in writing. When you go back, spell out how ADHD affects you in concrete terms across work, study, money, relationships, mental health and safety. A completed ADHD screener and a WFIRS functional impairment score can help you evidence the level of impact.
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.
Ask your GP which service they are referring you to, and for a written record of the referral date.
You are placed on a waiting list. See current reported wait times for NHSGGC.
NHSGGC counts someone as assessed if "their referral was accepted, and they attended an initial appointment with the service".
For autism, the board says the Adult Autism Team "offers a diagnostic service, and post-diagnostic information and support", usually in a group setting.
What NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's own referral guidance says
NHSGGC publishes some referral guidance, though at the time of our review (September 2026) we could find no board-wide adult ADHD assessment page or position statement on nhsggc.scot, and no dedicated clinician-facing referral-criteria page for the Adult Autism Team. Tap a card for the full wording and links.
Adult autismGP or mental health professional referral.
The board's Autism Spectrum Disorder page (undated) states a GP or mental health professional may refer adults (over 18) to the NHSGGC Adult Autism Team, which offers a diagnostic service and post-diagnostic information and support (usually group-based).
Adult ADHDThe only assessment service named is local.
An occupational therapy services listing (undated) includes an "ADHD - assessment and intervention service (East Renfrewshire only)" among specialist mental health services.
Private diagnosesA board policy covers transfer into NHS care.
The board has a policy for the referral of private ADHD patients into its mental health services. It applies to Specialist Children's Services and Adult Mental Health Services and sets out the components a private assessment needs for treatment without a repeat diagnostic assessment. The document was not available at its Right Decisions address when we checked on 20 October 2026, so confirm the current version with your GP.
ChildrenThe CAMHS criteria date from 2017.
The clinician-facing CAMHS referral criteria (PDF) (final 6 January 2017, amended 29 March 2019) cover 0–18s with moderate-to-severe mental health difficulties; concerns prompting referral include ADHD/hyperkinetic-related difficulties and complex neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders. The Specialist Children's Services page (undated) lists Specialist Community Paediatric Teams, CAMHS and Neurodevelopmental Teams. The board told us its Neurodevelopmental Pathway "supports all neurodevelopmental referrals which includes ADHD, Autism, FASD amongst other neurodevelopmental conditions".
Getting your child assessed
School-age children are assessed through NHSGGC's Neurodevelopmental Pathway, and the board told us pre-school children with autism as the reason for referral may be supported within its autism-specific service. The board's Specialist Children's Services page says most children's health and wellbeing "can be managed by their families and the teams around them such as their health visitor, GP or nursery/school staff". You do not need a diagnosis to ask for support at school (see below).
Talk to your child's health visitor, GP or nursery or school staff about your concerns.
NHSGGC's CAMHS referral criteria cover 0 to 18s with moderate to severe mental health difficulties; school-age neurodevelopmental referrals are held on the Neurodevelopmental Pathway list.
At 2 September 2026 the board reported 4,852 children and young people on the pathway list with a referral reason containing autism, 2,498 containing ADHD, and 3,057 with a combined reason. See reported figures for current estimates.
The board's Specialist Children's Services page says its teams support "assessment, diagnosis, advice, onward signposting and referral".
Private diagnosis and NHS shared care
NHSGGC has a published policy on the referral of privately diagnosed ADHD patients into NHS mental health services, previously published on Right Decisions. It sets out the components a private ADHD assessment needs for treatment in NHSGGC mental health services without a repeat diagnostic assessment. The link was not working when we checked on 20 October 2026.
Whether your GP agrees to a shared care arrangement is still their decision. Our shared care guide explains what to do if your GP declines.
While you wait, support and resources
Each organisation sets its own eligibility, so check before you contact them.
Peer support
The Scottish ADHD Coalition's map lists voluntary ADHD support groups across Scotland.
NHSGGC resources
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 Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. No diagnosis is required. Ask your child's school about an individualised educational programme (IEP) or other support plan. These can be put in place while waiting for assessment. For children with complex or multiple needs that are likely to last more than a year and need significant support from another service as well as education, such as the NHS or social work, you can ask the council to consider a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP), the only plan with legal force: see our school support guide.
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 (8)
- NAIT, Children's Neurodevelopmental Pathway Practice Framework (Scottish Government funded), May 2021
- Scottish Government, National Neurodevelopmental Specification: principles and standards of care for children and young people, 2021
- Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, ADHD and autism pathways and support, January 2026
- Scottish Parliament Research Briefing SB 25-25: Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland, June 2025
- Right Decisions, NHSGGC policy: referral of private ADHD patients to NHS GGC mental health services
- FOI response 2601315, NHSGGC, 5 July 2026, provided in response to a request from ADHD Scot
- FOI response 2602337, NHSGGC, 19 October 2026, provided in response to a request from ADHD Scot
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, nhsggc.scot