Adult Neurodevelopmental Service (Autism and ADHD)

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Contact us

Diagnostic assessment and medication review referral form

Please complete for referring patients for an autism and/or ADHD diagnostic assessment.

Post-diagnostic referrals

Please see the Adult neurodevelopmental post-diagnostic service page for more information and health professionals can use our online referral form:

Post-diagnosis Adult Neurodevelopmental Service support referral form

Paper-based referral documents

Our service

Waiting times

We have been receiving an extremely high number of referrals, leading to long waiting times that we know are unacceptable.

We are doing everything we can to reduce the backlog and consider how the service needs to be redesigned, working with autistic people and people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to make sure we better meet their needs, as well as the high level of demand.

The waiting times are below. Please remember you do not need a diagnosis to access help and support. Take a look at the section below on 'What you can do while you wait for an assessment’.

Appointment	Predicted waiting time
ADHD assessments	Up to seven years
Autism assessments	Up to three years
Medication reviews	Up to two and half years
Post-diagnostic support	Up to two years

While you are waiting for an assessment, you can access the Cogs app for free for six months. Developed by and with neurodivergent people, the app can help support your mental wellbeing and better understand neurodiversity.

Who we are

We provide diagnostic assessments for adults who may be autistic, have ADHD or both, as well as post-diagnostic support for up to 12 weeks.

We uphold the values of neurodiversity, that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways, there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning or behaving and differences are not viewed as deficits.

We provide a range of care options specified by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These include the management of medication for ADHD with GPs.

Adult Neurodevelopmental Health Service

Our team is made up of clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, link workers and administrators.

Some ADHD support and assessment clinics are held virtually (online) with our providers. This service is provided by: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, Psicon, Psychiatry UK and Sinclair Strong Consultant Limited.

Who we see

Patients registered with a GP in Kent or Medway.
Adults with a primary need for autism spectrum condition (ASC) and/or ADHD support.
A transition service for young people 17-and-a-half years and older who are diagnosed as autistic or have ADHD, to support transition to the adult service.
Adults who have traits that may indicate autism and/or ADHD and do not have a learning disability diagnosis.

All referrals must be from a health or social care professional, such as a GP or mental health specialist.

Who we cannot see

How we can help

What you can do while you wait for an assessment

Contact the support groups listed in the autism, ADHD and carers sections of this website.
If you are at college or university talk to teachers, student support services or special educational needs (SENCO) staff.
If you work, speak to your manager or human resources team.
Ask your local council for a needs assessment to see what support they can recommend.
Access the Cogs app for free for six months.

What happens before your first appointment

You will be asked to fill in a questionnaire about yourself and the issues you are experiencing. Try not to overthink your answers, go with your first thought as this is likely to be the most accurate response. There are no wrong answers, this isn’t a test, please just answer honestly.

You will be given a form or forms for someone else to fill in, ideally, someone who has known you all your life, such as your parents. If you don’t have someone who has known you all your life, choose someone who knows you very well.

You may have already completed some of these forms with your GP.

They will speak to the person who has known you all your life to find out a bit more about you and read any reports from your GP about any other health problems you may have.

If you have had palpitations due to anxiety make sure you include this when asked about heart health.

You can answer with as much or as little information as you want to.

Watch Psychiatry UK video on what happens before your assessment

What happens at your assessment

What happens after your assessment

Information on Autism and ADHD

ADHD information and support services

Autism information and support services

Frequently asked questions

What will I need to do to get a diagnosis?

You will be given some forms to complete that contain a set of statements, you will need to choose the option which best describes your daily life.

Someone who has known you all your life, such as your parents, will also need to complete a form about you from childhood into your adult life. If you don’t have someone who has known you all your life, choose someone who knows you very well.

You may have already completed some of these forms with your GP.

How to complete the forms?

Use bullet points to help you.
Take regular breaks, the forms do not have to be completed all at once.
Ask friends and/or family for help.
Try to relax. Remember, there are no wrong answers.

What happens then?

Send the forms by email or post to the contact details provided on the letter or email you received.

We are here to help you. If you need support to complete the forms please contact kentchft.adultsndreferral@nhs.net.

What information should I include in the forms?

Have you received a text request from NHS Kent and Medway?

NHS Kent and Medway (Integrated Care Board) have commissioned a company called NEC to support the collection of essential information from people on the ADHD waiting list. NEC will be contacting people via text message. This text will be sent to you from 'NHS K and M' and will say,

Following your referral for an adult ADHD assessment, we need more information from you at this time. Please log in using your date of birth.

If unsure, visit the KCHFT ADHD webpages for more details.

We want to reassure you that if you do receive a text message from NHS Kent and Medway asking you to complete some questionnaires, this is part of our service and will help us to better understand your current needs and the impact that potential ADHD symptoms may be having on you.

It is really important that you open the text and complete the questionnaires if you are able to. We are aware that some people may not be able to access, respond to or complete the questionnaires in this digital format and that is ok. The team will be in contact with you at a later date.

All appropriate checks and processes are in place to ensure your personal information is safe and meets data protection standards.

If you are in crisis – how to get help now

If you need urgent medical help call 999. If it is not life threatening and you are experiencing an urgent mental health crisis, call 111 and select the option for mental health. This will connect you with someone trained to help people experiencing an urgent mental health crisis.

If you have concerns about your mental health wellbeing or physical health please contact your GP.

If you are feeling distressed or suicidal or would like a confidential listening service, you can contact the Samaritans who are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone 116123 or visit the website www.samaritans.org.

You can also talk to Mind by calling 0300 123 3393 or Childline if you are under 19 on 0800 1111.

If you are feeling mentally unwell but are not in crisis there are many services that can support you. Information on these services can be found on the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust website.

These include phone support service, text service, drop in safe haven service and sign posting to support areas of your life you may be experiencing difficulties with.

National disruption of medication supplies to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

There is a national issue with the supply of some ADHD medications, including: Methylphenidate, Lisdexamfetamine, Guanfacine and Atomoxetine.

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October 2024

The service I received was outstanding. All of the staff I was in contact with were professional, caring and really helpful. I think it is really important for Autistic people to have post-diagnostic support, especially the kind of help I got from this service.

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