NHS - Right To Choose
As parents, the process of securing an autism diagnosis for our child through the NHS can feel long and stressful, particularly with ever-growing waiting lists. When our family went through this with both adult and child diagnoses, the NHS Right to Choose policy became a lifeline, allowing us to access quicker and more tailored services.
The Right to Choose policy means that if your GP agrees an autism/ADHD assessment is necessary, you don’t have to wait endlessly on NHS waiting lists. Instead, you can choose an approved provider that fits your needs, and in some cases, this means significantly shorter waiting times.
What is Right to Choose?
The NHS Right to Choose gives patients in England the ability to select their healthcare provider, including mental health services like autism assessments, as long as the provider is NHS-approved. This has been a game-changer for us and many families like ours.
When we realised both our child and a close adult family member might be autistic, we went through this route, which helped alleviate the stress of waiting months (or even years) for an NHS diagnosis. With the right provider, you can take steps forward more quickly, which is key when you're eager to support your child or loved one in their development.
Why We Chose Right to Choose Providers
In our case, we looked for NHS-approved providers with reasonable wait times and good reputations. Below are some providers, and I’m including their current wait times for you.
Clinical Partners
This provider offers child and adult autism assessments via video consultations. Right now, they have an average wait time of around 7 to 10 months for new referrals, but this can be faster than NHS pathways, which can stretch even longer.
Visit Clinical Partners for more information.Psychiatry-UK
Another fully online option, Psychiatry-UK offers assessments for adults. The wait times here can be less predictable due to high demand, but they aim to process referrals within 3 months. They’ve been helpful for adults needing an assessment under the Right to Choose framework.
Learn more at Psychiatry-UK.Wellbeing ASD
They provide assessments for children and adults and have NHS contracts in various regions. Their waiting list times fluctuate, but they aim to offer consultations within 6 to 9 months.
Find more details at Wellbeing ASD.Psicon
Psicon offers autism and ADHD assessments for both children and adults. They have completed over 18,000 assessments since 2014 and are known for their comprehensive and quick service.
Wait time: Typically between 6 to 9 months.
Check out Psicon for further details.ADHD 360
While ADHD is their main focus, ADHD 360 also offers autism assessments for children aged 14-15.
Wait time: Approximately 16 to 20 weeks for Right to Choose referrals.
Explore ADHD 360.Evolve Psychology
Evolve Psychology offers autism assessments for children and young people under the Right to Choose policy, although they do not provide services for adults through this scheme.
Wait time: Contact them directly to discuss.
Visit Evolve Psychology.
We found that choosing the right provider was personal, and in our case, Psicon ended up being the right fit for our child’s assessment. The process was thorough, and they provided us with a detailed report and suggestions for next steps.
Our Experience
Getting both an adult and a child diagnosed has been life-changing for us. Once we had a diagnosis, it opened doors to specific therapies, school support, and the right accommodations for our child. For the adult diagnosis in our family, it brought clarity and a better understanding of lifelong challenges that had previously gone unnoticed.
If you’re on this journey, I encourage you to consider using the Right to Choose policy. It empowers you to act swiftly when time feels like an enemy and gives your loved one the best chance to thrive.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the world of autism diagnosis isn’t easy, but the NHS Right to Choose policy is a valuable tool that can make the process more manageable. Make sure to talk to your GP, gather information on the available providers, and take control of your child's or loved one’s diagnosis journey. There are great providers out there, and you don’t have to be stuck on endless waiting lists.
If you need any support or advice, please get in touch with our team info@inclusiveoutsource.co.uk
