ADHD and autism assessment pathway
NHS Grampian covers Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. Aberdeenshire's adult autism and ADHD assessment pathways closed on 31 March 2025: the non-recurring Scottish Government funding that paid for them ceased in July 2024, the HSCP bridged the gap for a year using one-off underspend, and in February 2025 Aberdeenshire's Integration Joint Board agreed the pathways would end. The Adult Autism Assessment Team continues to serve Aberdeen City and Moray, and this loss of Aberdeenshire provision has left a significant gap for adults seeking a diagnosis there.
Aberdeenshire's adult autism and ADHD assessment pathways were paid for by non-recurring Scottish Government funding, which ceased in July 2024; the HSCP kept the service going for a further year using one-off underspend. In February 2025 Aberdeenshire's Integration Joint Board agreed the pathways would end, and the service and its waiting list closed on 31 March 2025 (report to Aberdeenshire IJB, 28 January 2026). The Adult Autism Assessment Team continues for Aberdeen City and Moray, so whether you can access an NHS autism assessment depends on where in Grampian you live. Confirm the current position with your GP.
Reviewed by ADHD Scot,
Waiting times, FOI data, July 2026
NHS Grampian responded to an FOI request from ADHD Scot in July 2026 (ref: FOI/2026/531). Adult services are delivered through three separate Health and Social Care Partnerships, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray, each with different provision. Children's services are delivered board-wide through CAMHS and Community Child Health.
Where you live within Grampian determines what adult assessment is available to you. Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray have different services, different waiting lists, and in some cases no provision at all. Confirm which HSCP area you live in with your GP before making plans.
Adults, Aberdeen City HSCP
Adult ADHD and autism assessments in Aberdeen City are managed separately by the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership.
Adults, Aberdeenshire HSCP
Aberdeenshire HSCP confirmed it does not hold a waiting list or pathway for either ADHD or autism assessment in adults. If you live in Aberdeenshire, ask your GP what route is available and consider private assessment.
Adults, Moray HSCP
A waiting list for adult ADHD assessment has been in place since September 2021, but in the board's own words there is “currently no service” delivering assessments. Autism data for Moray adults is combined with Aberdeen City in the figures above.
Children and young people, board-wide
Children's services are delivered across all of Grampian through CAMHS and Community Child Health, not through the individual HSCPs. Neither service can separate ADHD and autism referrals in their waiting list data.
CAMHS (all neurodevelopmental referrals)
The 1st triage appointment is not an assessment, it is an initial meeting to discuss needs and next steps. Data cannot be separated by ADHD or autism.
Community Child Health (CCH), school-age children
Community Child Health accepts ADHD referrals for school-age children with a functional impairment. The waiting list includes children referred for ADHD, autism, developmental delays, and other health conditions, these are not separated in the data provided.
Getting assessed as an adult
Adults seeking ADHD or autism assessment in NHS Grampian are referred through their GP. ADHD assessment through adult psychiatry continues to be available in principle, though waiting times are long. Adult autism assessment provision has been significantly reduced since February 2025.
Bring specific examples of how your symptoms affect daily life. Mention that difficulties have been present since childhood. Ask your GP directly: "Is adult autism assessment currently available through NHS Grampian in my HSCP area?"
A completed ADHD screener or autism screener can support the conversation.
If a pathway is available in your area, your GP will refer you to the appropriate adult mental health or psychiatry service. For autism specifically, confirm with your GP whether a referral pathway currently exists, provision varies by HSCP area since February 2025.
If your referral is accepted, you will be placed on a waiting list. Contact NHS Grampian at nhsgrampian.org to confirm current provision. If you live in Aberdeenshire, where adult assessment funding was withdrawn, you may be directed to consider private assessment for autism specifically.
Adult autism assessment provision in Grampian differs by area. Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray are covered by separate Health and Social Care Partnerships, what is available in one may not be available in another. Always ask your GP which services exist in your specific area.
What NHS Grampian's own referral guidance says
At the time of our review (September 2026) we could find no published referral guidance for adult ADHD on the board's website or the Right Decisions Service. The board does publish an adult autism assessment page and referrer-facing children's guidance. Key points:
- Adult autism: self-referral in Aberdeen City and Moray. The Adult Autism Assessment Team page (published 03/06/2026) states the team started in Aberdeen in January 2021 and expanded in April 2022 to include Moray; it accepts self-referrals (or referral by another person using the same form), emailed to gram.adultautismteam@nhs.scot, followed by a short pre-assessment appointment. A Hi-Net Grampian page (undated) confirms self-referral for any adult 18+ registered with a GP practice in Aberdeen City and Moray.
- Aberdeenshire: we could find no published guidance covering adult autism assessment for Aberdeenshire residents on any NHS domain at the time of our review (September 2026).
- Children's ADHD: the normal route is Community Paediatrics. Referrer-facing CAMHS referral notes (undated) state Specialist CAMHS is considered only for unclear or complex presentations (not normally before the child has completed one term of P1), and that learning disability and/or autism alone are not grounds for CAMHS referral without additional mental health or behavioural concerns.
- The formal CAMHS criteria are not public. The board's CAMHS "For Professionals" page (published 15/12/2023) links to formal "Grampian Guidance - Mental Health" criteria, but the link resolves to an NHS-internal SharePoint that is not publicly accessible.
Getting your child assessed
Children's neurodevelopmental assessments in Grampian are typically handled by community paediatrics and CAMHS. The February 2025 changes primarily affected the adult autism team. Children's services continue, though waiting times remain lengthy.
A GP, school teacher, health visitor, or parent can raise a concern about a child's development. The referral route depends on the child's age and the nature of the concern.
For most children, the referral goes to community paediatrics. Children with significant co-existing mental health concerns may be referred to CAMHS. Confirm with your GP which route is appropriate for your child.
Waits in Grampian are long. Ask your GP for an estimate and ask to be notified if the service changes. While waiting, ask the school to put support in place under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, no diagnosis is required for this.
Assessment will involve the child, family, and often school. A diagnosis or clinical outcome is given. Support from school continues regardless of outcome.
While you wait, support and resources
You do not need a formal diagnosis to access most of the following. Given the current gaps in adult autism provision, these routes are particularly important in Grampian.
Peer support in Aberdeen and Grampian
The Scottish ADHD Coalition lists local groups across the north-east, no diagnosis is needed to attend.
NHS Grampian 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 a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) or Individual Education Programme, these can be put in place while waiting for assessment.
Given the significant reduction in adult autism assessment provision in NHS Grampian, private assessment is worth considering. Our compare tool lists providers operating in and around Aberdeen and Grampian. Our shared care guide explains how to ask your GP for ongoing support after a private diagnosis.
Make your voice heard
If the withdrawal of adult assessment funding in Aberdeenshire has affected you or your family, you can raise it with your MSP. Your MSP can ask questions of NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government on your behalf. Find your MSP at parliament.scot.
References
- 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
- FOI response FOI/2026/531, NHS Grampian, 17 July 2026, provided in response to a request from ADHD Scot
- NHS Grampian, nhsgrampian.org
- Scottish Parliament, Find your MSP
- Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004