Autism & ADHD Services in Northamptonshire – Quick Guide

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This guide provides a clear overview of support options, assessment routes, and prescribing rules for Autism and ADHD in Northamptonshire.

Do I Need a Diagnosis or Support Without a Diagnosis?

  • Support is based on needs, not diagnosis.
  • You don’t need a diagnosis to access help at school, social care, or through benefits.
  • You do need a formal diagnosis if medication is required.
  • You don’t need a diagnosis to get help. Local services include:
  • Enfold
  • CHAT Health
  • Shout
  • TRACK
  • SENDIASS
  • Recovery College
  • Local peer support groups

Waiting Times?

  • Demand for assessments has risen sharply.
  • NHS services are expanding, but current waiting times can range from a year or more.
  • Northamptonshire is introducing 500 additional assessments for 2025/26 to assist patients with their waiting times.

Assessment Routes

  1. NHS Referral
    • Via your GP.
    • Includes a holistic assessment and prescribing where appropriate.
  2. Right to Choose (RtC)
    • Allows you to choose an NHS-approved provider.
    • Discuss referral pathways with your GP.
    • Not all RtC providers offer prescribing.
    • GPs may only prescribe under a Shared Care Agreement.
    • Right to Choose applies to one provider per patient, unless prescribing is formally transferred to local services.
  3. Private Assessment
    • Self-funded, costs between £500–£3,500+.
    • May not be accepted by NHS services.
    • Prescriptions are usually private unless reassessed by the NHS.

Medication

  • Local NHS services will usually initiate treatment.
  • GPs may continue prescribing under a Shared Care Agreement.
  • GPs will not prescribe medication based solely on a private diagnosis without safety protocols in place.
  • RtC providers may prescribe if they hold NHS contracts.

Switching Between Services

  • You can move from private to NHS care, but a reassessment may be required.
  • NHS will not reimburse private assessment costs.
  • You cannot be on both an NHS and RtC (right to choose) waiting list at the same time.

👉 Consider what you want from a diagnosis — it may not be necessary unless you are seeking medication.

For more details and resources, please see the links given below:

ASD-ADHD-FAQ-Final-September-2025

Autism-and-ADHD-Process-Diagramme-September-2025