NHS Autism and ADHD Waiting Times in the North West

If you or your child has been referred for an NHS autism or ADHD assessment, you may be wondering how long you are likely to wait and what you can do while you are waiting.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple answer. Autism and ADHD assessment pathways vary depending on where you live, whether the referral is for a child or an adult, and which local service is responsible for the assessment. Waiting times can be long and can also change as demand and local services change.

How do NHS autism and ADHD assessment pathways work in the North West?

There isn’t one NHS autism or ADHD assessment service covering the whole of the North West. Different areas have their own referral pathways and the service you are referred to will depend on factors including where you live and your age.

Your GP is usually a good starting point if you are unsure which service covers your area or where a referral has been sent. For children and young people, referrals may also involve local children’s services or neurodevelopmental pathways. Talking to schools may also be helpful.

It is also worth checking directly with the service that holds your referral, as local arrangements and waiting times can change.

How long are NHS autism and ADHD waiting times?

Waiting times vary considerably between services, so be cautious about websites giving one waiting time for the whole of the North West.

National NHS figures do, however, show the scale of current demand. In June 2026, 294,792 people in England had an open referral for suspected autism, and 86.8% of those referrals had been open for at least 13 weeks. NHS England also publishes developing national data about ADHD assessment referrals.

These figures don’t tell you how long you or your child will wait. Your local service is the best source of information about its current waiting list and where your referral sits within its pathway.

NHS Right to Choose

If you live in England, you may have the right to choose which provider carries out certain NHS-funded assessments. This is known as Right to Choose, and it can include some autism and ADHD assessment pathways.

Right to Choose is an NHS pathway, so where it applies, the assessment is NHS-funded rather than paid for privately.

However, the situation has become more complicated in some areas. The providers available, whether they are currently accepting referrals and how long you may wait can depend on your local NHS arrangements. Some areas have also introduced changes to how referrals are managed and how many assessments can be offered through Right to Choose providers.

This means that Right to Choose can still be worth exploring, but it should not be assumed that every provider will be available to everyone or that it will necessarily provide a quicker route to assessment.

Your GP may be able to help you understand whether Right to Choose applies to your referral. It is also a good idea to check the latest information from your local NHS service or Integrated Care Board, as arrangements can change.

What you can do while you wait

Waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment can be difficult, particularly if you or your child are already struggling. You don’t necessarily need to wait for an assessment or diagnosis before asking for help.

• Ask for support at school or college. Schools can put SEN support in place based on a child’s individual needs; they do not need to wait for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis. If your child is struggling, speak to their teacher or SENCO about what support could be helpful.
• Talk about reasonable adjustments. A formal diagnosis is not always needed to ask for reasonable adjustments. Under the Equality Act 2010, the important consideration is how a person’s difficulties affect their day-to-day life and whether they meet the Act’s definition of disability. Schools, universities and employers should consider reasonable adjustments where the legal requirements apply.
• Keep a record of what you are noticing. It can be helpful to make a simple note of the difficulties you or your child experience, when they happen, what seems to make things easier or harder, and how they affect everyday life. This can also be useful information when an assessment eventually takes place.
• Look for support and information now. You don’t need a diagnosis to learn more about autism or ADHD or to try strategies that might make everyday life easier. National and local organisations can offer information, peer support and practical advice while you are waiting.

Where does a private assessment fit?

Some people choose to have a private assessment rather than wait for an NHS appointment, while others remain on an NHS waiting list and explore private assessment alongside this. There is no right choice for everyone. Cost, waiting times and individual circumstances will all play a part in deciding what is right for you or your family.

If you are considering a private assessment, it is important to look carefully at what the assessment actually includes, rather than choosing on waiting time alone. Ask who will carry out the assessment, whether it follows relevant NICE guidance, what information will be gathered, how the diagnostic decision will be made and what you will receive afterwards.

At AYC, our autism assessments are full diagnostic assessments carried out at our Warrington clinic. They follow NICE guidance and use a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together information from a Clinical Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist.

We also offer ADHD Screening Assessments for children, young people and adults. These are not diagnostic assessments, but explore whether significant ADHD traits are present and provide a detailed report of the findings. Where appropriate, we can support the next step towards a formal diagnosis through our associate psychiatrist for adults or our paediatrician partner for children and young people.

Getting advice

Whichever route you are considering, your GP can explain what is available locally and how to be referred. If you would like to understand what an independent assessment involves or consider which assessment would be better for you, our team is happy to talk it through with no obligation.

You can reach our team on 01925 249228 or enquire through our website.