ASD/ADHD and Right to Choose
With waiting lists hitting record highs over over 3 years for an NHS assessment, I thought I should highlight a way of cutting years off that wait that I've used myself.
NHS Right to Choose basically means you have autonomy over who your GP refers you to when it comes to treatment. Be it a certain company, or an individual surgeon, right to choose gives you that freedom and with so many people learning more about ASD/ADHD, wait times have sky rocketed.
The basics of this are;
1. Have a look online and find a provider that deals with the assessment you need. There's many out there now and all have their own way of doing things, so it's worth looking around to find a place that is the right fit for you. If you're new, you'll have to choose a local assessor, if you've already been waiting for 3 months, you can then ask for a national assessor. Also please note the provider must have a commissioning contract with a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or NHS England for the required service.
2. Get a GPs appointment and talk through with your GP why you feel you need an assessment, be honest and open with them and mention you would like to use right to choose for an assessment. Sometimes your doctor will say no, but you can look into a second opinion, or even take a supporting letter with you. ADHD UK have a great printable PDF for this here. Their website also talks you through the diagnosis pathway, which is very useful to know in advance.
3. The GP will then (hopefully) refer you to your chosen company, who will then contact you to arrange a proper assessment. Most of these are now done via video chat, on Zoom and the like, so no need to worry about having to go to a strange new place.
Wait times can still be many months, but I was assessed within 7 month, which is much better than the 3.5 years I was quoted by my GP.
I've included a couple of links to a few of the more well known assessors below. Well known can also mean a slightly longer wait time of course. (Some will deal only with ASD or ADHD, others offer both.)
Psychiatry UK.
ADHD 360
Dr J and co. (A smaller clinic and less well known)
S4D (who I used)
Some clinics will be able to offer medication for ADHD once assessed, but not all can. So if you're wanting an ADHD diagnosis, it's worth checking to make sure this can be done first.
Please note you cannot use Right to choose if;
I hope this information helps you in your search for answers. If you have any questions, I'm more than happy to answer them to the best of my ability here.
Good luck!
-Albus-
Comments
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Hey there @bobby123! Usually the 2nd assessment should happen fairly quickly after the first one and it's best to stick with the one provider as changing mid diagnosis could cause a lot of confusion.
I'm glad you're nearly there though, how're you feeling about it?0 -
Ouch! Ok @bobby123 I'd definitely ask your GP about Right to Choose, 18 months between the two assessments is a very long time and I've not heard of that happening before. It may be quicker going through a completely different provider for both assessments.
The second assessment is pretty much just another assessor asking for any clarification for answers from the first assessment.1 -
That's quite a wait between assessments @eeL, but certainly not unheard of. I was very lucky as my appointments were a week apart thanks to Right to Choose. I got my official diagnosis on my birthday!
But it does feel weird that you get your diagnosis and are just told to look at the National Autistic Society website and that's it. Hopefully there will be some kind of standardisation for after care in the future.1 -
Hello, thank you for all the information! My GP automatically sent me Psychiatry UK website for me to do my ADHD assessment through as he said our local clinicians would be longer. I assumed that was the only company I could use. So does this mean I could use others, such as the ones mentioned above. Does anyone have experience with Psychiatry uk? Thank you so much!0
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I was lucky as when I had my autism assessment 13 years ago it only took a few months from referral to assessment and they did the whole assessment over a course of a few weeks and got the diagnosis quickly. I also had support put in place, and had after diagnosis sessions to learn about autism in more deph and how it can affect you. I still attend some sessions over zoom and we do different topics each month on how autism affects different aspects. Since diagnosis I have learned so much about myself becuase of these sessions.
I will post the link (If allowed) to the online sessions you can book through eventbrite for those interested in learning about autism and how to grow your confidence in it: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grow-confidence-in-your-autism-tickets-772320610737?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&keep_tld=1I am still waiting for my official ADHD diagnosis though so waiting to be fully assessed for that, however my psychiatrist who does the ADHD assessment has said that I 100% have it, she just needs to do the full assessment with me and then talk about different medication I can have.
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@rubin16 Thankyou for the information. I will look into those online classes for sure as my therapist thinks I may have autism too.
All the best for your ADHD assessment 0 -
I had a paper initial assessment in October 2022 and was referred onto a full assessment. So I have been waiting 18 months so far for my full ADHD assessment. The Sr, suggested a right to choose but said it would be via Video. I was told by someone (can't remember who) that the assessment was very long by video... hours! I couldn't face that, as I'm only just managing to force myself to do short remote video's when needs absolutely must. Are they really hours long? I can't face that, but it may be even worse in person so I don't know if I should try and get a right to choose referral. I can't stand the thought of having to look at my own face on the screen.
Many other online tests consistently high scoring (on different sites) as highly probable: PTSD (childhood Trauma), Body Dysphoric Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, and very poor executive function.
Would any of these be become apparent in the assessment or ADHD. I have no Idea what and online assessment entails.
Many thanks0 -
@Albus_Scope Thanks for sharing this very valuable information. Is there a way to 'pin' this to the top to make it easier to find please? I know I'll be coming back to it to refer to but won't remember where it is!
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Thanks for sharing. I've signed up. :)
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No problem @Scrumptious67 looks like a team mate pinned it as I was off for a few days. I'm glad you've found my post useful. 😊
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Bobby, I have been waiting since April 22 for my adhd assessment. 3 months ago I asked my Dr for RTC and I chose DR SJ because they had the shortest wait times. Initially I followed up to make sure they had my referral from my GP, they said no. I contacted my GP to ask who I asked to be referred to, in case I made an error. My GP forwarded me the referral to confirm it was the right provider. Went back to SJ who apologised and confirmed they did have my referral and an appointment was quickly made for less than 1 month. So it's coming up soon. It may be worth asking…
While I wandered around the ADHD 360 website it offered and asd360 test, so I took it out of curiosity. I know I'm weird, always have been. Anyway, it was quite an extensive test, I thought. I scored 1720 out of the highest 1860 ish points! This scored VERY likely to have asd, This was a surprise to me. I sent my results to my Dr to see if he thinks I should be referred for an asd assessment too. It would make sense to me, but not to anyone looking at me. It's all very well hidden. Perhaps take that test too.
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Just a quick update. I had my full assessment. It confirmed my ADHD without a doubt.
Thank you for all your support.
I wondered if anyone can advise we on RTC for an ASD assessment. All my online tests have been high probability for Autism. However I am now in my 50s and have masked very well my whole life. I know there is vetter understanding on female autistic traits and how they can differ considerably from men's. I have hesitated many times in asking for a full assessment but my gut say, just find out. My world as a loner in a sea of souls may finally make sense. The deciding factor was my last test. I did a long test on Autism360 which scored 1,720 =78% The Quotient Scorecard was : Fairly prominent Autism Symptoms. Scores of 1866+ = over 90% chance of Autism. But still I hesitate.
How do I find a RTC for me as a female with potentially undiagnosed Autism all this time. What provider can I trust, to be upto date with the latest science regarding women, and the sometime more subtle factors?
⁹Sorry for the waffle.
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Thank @eeL Your post completely resonates with me... all of it. I doubt I'd get angry, I never feel anger but sadness maybe. I'm sure I would reflect a lot, and feel sorry for myself for a week. Then I'd kick my own butt, and make some kind of plan to embrace it and give myself a break. The sad part for me being, I'm an ideas factory. I problem solved like crazy. I work like a machine when I'm able to focus. So I know I have use. How to get other to see that so I can work is the real issue. My work ethic is so strong and not working is just not me. I need to be useful, in a distant or one on one way. 🙈
Thanks for the input.I think I'll brave, asking the Dr.
I hope you're doing okay? 🤗
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I recieved email saying adhd questionnaire but was blank will phone tomorrow does that mean I'm closer to assessment
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Every day will take you one step closer to an assessment @Catherine21 but I'd be unable to say what the blank email is about. Will you let us know when you call?
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I called lady Said will resend tomorrow asked the important question how long is the waiting list 4 years ! I'd really want the autism test
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Waiting times are very silly currently @Catherine21! I'm on year one of waiting for my ADHD assessment, only another couple of years to go.
So many people are going private now, but the problem of getting an ADHD assessment that way, is often the providers can give the diagnosis, but can't give the medication, so people are having to wait for another 3 years to get an NHS diagnosis. It's all very silly.
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So frustrating when you know 100 percent you have adhd and autism wow is it expensive going private if not being nosey hope you get an appointment soon
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Ah yes that's crazy would love to experience what it's like just not to think every second of the day no wonder have no time fir people I've already had a million conversations in my head with them lol
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haha, I know what you mean @Catherine21 I was the same before my assessment.
Though I think (just personal opinion) if you're sure you have ADHD or ASD, it's ok to self diagnose. It can be an unpopular opinion of course.
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