Right To Choose Information

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For Parents/Carers (ADHD/ASC Assessments)

Child suspected of ADHD/ASC

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SENCO Assessment (School) 

• Gather teacher/parent reports
• Complete assessment questionnaires
• Determine need for referral

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Referral Pathway Decision 

• SENCO Approves Referral → Proceed to local neurodiversity service OR Right to Choose (RTC) provider
• SENCO Declines Referral → Parents may consult GP for further discussion

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GP Role in Referral 

• GPs do not initiate ADHD/ASC referrals directly but can process Right to Choose referrals if parents request one and have supporting evidence from the SENCO.

Assessment & Diagnosis (By Chosen Provider) 

• ADHD diagnosis confirmed or ruled out
• Provider may offer support strategies or recommend medication

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Medication & Shared Care 

• If medication is required, the Right to Choose provider should initiate and titrate
• GP may accept shared care for stable patients (not mandatory)
• If no shared care, medication remains with initiating provider

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Ongoing Follow-up 

• If shared care agreed → GP provides ongoing prescriptions & monitoring
• If no shared care → Provider remains responsible for medication & follow-up

Your (Parent/Carer) Role in Referral 

1. Approach your child’s SENCO and request a school assessment to determine need for a referral.

2. Find and research RTC-Approved Providers

• Some private clinics accept NHS Right to Choose referrals.
• Popular choices include Psychiatry-UK, Clinical Partners, ADHD 360, and The ADHD Centre. There are many more however. 
• ADHD UK regularly updates its list of both ADHD and ASC providers 
• Use online forums (e.g., Facebook groups, Reddit) or NHS-related websites to check updated lists.

3. Check Reviews & Reputation

• Look at Google Reviews, Trustpilot, or ADHD/ASC parent support groups.
• Ask about wait times and experiences from other parents.

4. Compare Wait Times

• Some providers have months-long waiting lists, while others might be quicker.
• Contact providers directly to ask about current waiting times.

5. Understand the Process

• Some providers do online assessments, while others do in-person.
• Confirm they follow NICE guidelines and offer a full diagnosis (not just screening).

6. Confirm Post-Diagnosis Support

• Ask about medication titration (if needed), therapy options, and ongoing care.
• Some providers only offer the diagnosis, leaving medication management to the NHS, which may delay treatment.

7. Request a Referral from Your GP

• Once you choose a provider, ask your GP to refer your child to that specific clinic under Right to Choose. The GP is not obliged to fill a lengthy referral form, but they should be happy to provide a short written referral. 
• Bring along the school SENCO Assessment – the GP will need to have this to ensure a clinically appropriate referral, and to include with their referral. 

While we hope you may find something here that supports you, please note that these resources are not all officially endorsed by the NHS. We endeavour to ensure that all listings are accurate and up to date, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this at all times.