Waiting years for an ADHD or autism assessment? You may not have to.
If you're in England and your GP agrees to refer you for an ADHD or autism assessment, you have a legal right most people have never been told about: Right to Choose. It means you can ask for your NHS referral to go to a provider with a shorter waiting list, sometimes months instead of years, still free, still NHS-funded.
Summary:
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It applies in England (Scotland, Wales and NI have different systems).
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You still need a GP referral, Right to Choose is about where the referral goes, not skipping it.
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It's not private care, no cost to you. The NHS pays a provider from its approved list.
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Waiting lists vary and change.
How it works, step by step
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Book a GP appointment. Ask for a ADHD or autism assessment.
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Before you go, pick a provider with a shorter wait from a current list, and note its name. You can find this at the Right to Choose - ADHD UK for ADHD and Autism (don't be put off by the charities name)
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In the appointment, describe what you're experiencing and ask for the referral and name your chosen provider under Right to Choose (script below).
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The GP practice sends the referral. The provider contacts you, timescales vary, so ask them what to expect.
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If the GP declines or seems unsure about Right to Choose, you can politely ask them to note the refusal, ask to speak to another GP at the practice, or bring the provider's own GP-referral information pack (most providers publish one).
What to actually say
Nobody tells you this bit. If you've masked your whole life, the GP conversation is the barrier, you'll be tempted to downplay everything, perform "fine," and leave with nothing. So here's a script. Print it. Hand it over if speaking fails you on the day, that's allowed.
"I've been researching my longstanding difficulties and I believe I may have ADHD/be autistic. It's affecting my daily life, [give one or two honest examples: work is burning me out, I can't manage everyday admin, social situations exhaust me].
I'd like to be referred for an assessment, and I'd like to use my Right to Choose to be referred to [provider name], who currently have shorter waiting times."
Three things to remember in the room:
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Don't perform coping. The GP can only act on what you show them. Masking in this appointment works against you, this is one room where the mask has to come off a little.
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Bring notes. A short written list of your difficulties (childhood and now) beats a perfect verbal account you can't produce under pressure.
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You don't have to prove it. You're asking for an assessment, not a verdict. "I'm not sure, that's what the assessment is for" is a complete answer.
While you wait and after
An assessment date doesn't pause your life. Everything free on this site, the masking booklet, the other resources, my posts are written for exactly the stage you're in, diagnosis or not. And if the wait itself is the hard part, or the diagnosis arrives and brings more questions than answers (it usually does, mine did), that's the work I do every day (see coaching and mentoring page for more information)
Please note: This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Process details change, always check current NHS guidance and provider lists.