Clear answers about private ADHD and autism assessments

NeuroPath provides clinician-led private ADHD, autism and combined assessments for adults, children and young people. Screening information and clinical review help determine which pathway, if any, is appropriate before a full assessment is recommended.

You can contact NeuroPath directly to discuss a private assessment enquiry. A GP referral may still be useful in some circumstances, particularly where there are relevant medical, prescribing or ongoing-care considerations.

Yes. A parent, guardian, carer or someone close to an adult can make an initial enquiry. We will explain what information may be needed and when the person being assessed needs to be involved in decisions and consent.

It can be helpful to explain whether the enquiry is for an adult, child or young person; the main concerns or questions; any previous assessments or support; and any practical or communication needs. You do not need to prepare a perfect account before contacting us.

Yes. An enquiry is an opportunity to understand the pathway, the information that may be requested, likely practical arrangements and any questions you have. It is not a clinical conclusion or a commitment to proceed.

The timing and number of contacts depend on the individual pathway, the information available, clinical complexity and practical arrangements. NeuroPath does not promise a fixed assessment or outcome timescale before the appropriate pathway has been discussed.

Contact the team to discuss current availability for the assessment pathway you are considering. Screening information and clinical review are considered before a full assessment is recommended.

Yes. Assessment appointments are online by video consultation. The clinical team will discuss the assessment scope, practical arrangements and any accessibility needs with you.

No. An initial conversation helps clarify the enquiry. A full assessment is recommended only where screening information and clinical review indicate it is appropriate. Screening does not diagnose ADHD or autism, and proceeding to assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis. Diagnostic criteria may not be met, or another explanation may better account for the difficulties.

A clinician-led assessment considers developmental and current history, relevant records, questionnaires and information from people who know the person well, where appropriate and with consent. Clinicians also review mental health, emotional wellbeing, current mental state, risk, safeguarding and other possible explanations for difficulties as part of the assessment, not as a separate service. Autism assessment includes an observation of communication and social interaction adapted to developmental and language level; this is not part of an ADHD-only assessment. A combined assessment includes the relevant ADHD and autism components.

Questionnaires may be used to help structure relevant information, but they are not a diagnosis and do not determine a clinical outcome on their own. Any questionnaires used should be appropriate to the agreed pathway and explained clearly.

No. This means no single questionnaire or tool determines an outcome or can diagnose ADHD or autism by itself. Clinicians consider relevant information in context, including the person’s history, experiences and, where appropriate, information from more than one setting.

It means appropriately involved clinicians remain responsible for considering the available information, asking follow-up questions, applying professional judgement and explaining any conclusions. Digital forms or tools may support information gathering but do not make an automated diagnosis.

This can be discussed when planning the online appointment. A supportive person, parent or carer may be helpful in some circumstances, while the person being assessed should still have an appropriate opportunity to share their own views.

Please tell us what is available and what is not. For children and young people, we usually request school input with consent. Where school information or childhood records are unavailable, clinicians consider alternative evidence and discuss whether the available information is sufficient for assessment. Missing records do not themselves determine the outcome.

Where appropriate and with consent, information from someone who knows the person well may add context. Their perspective is considered alongside the person’s own account and other relevant information; it does not replace the individual’s voice.

Differences between home, school, work, social settings and other environments can be important context. Clinicians may explore how demands, support, routines, sensory environment and coping strategies affect a person in different situations.

Yes. Adults may seek an assessment for many reasons, including long-standing questions about attention, organisation, communication, sensory experiences, routines or social interaction. The clinician will discuss relevant development and current experiences as part of the pathway.

Many adults describe strategies they use to manage demands or fit expectations. A careful assessment can make room to discuss the effort involved, the impact of those strategies and the person’s experience across time and settings. Masking is not a diagnostic test on its own.

Yes. A combined assessment includes the relevant ADHD and autism components and is recommended only where screening information and clinical review indicate it is appropriate. The scope is discussed with you so you understand what questions are being considered. The outcome may be ADHD, autism, both or neither.

Relevant mental health, physical health, learning, trauma and life experiences can form important context. Please share information that you feel may be relevant. Clinicians will consider the agreed assessment question and may explain when another service or discussion is also appropriate.

An assessment may provide useful context for a later conversation about support, but it does not automatically determine a fixed package of workplace adjustments. Employers and individuals make their own decisions in line with the relevant circumstances, policies and responsibilities.

Yes. You receive your own assessment report and can choose to share it with your employer or university to explain your needs and discuss support. Sharing a report does not guarantee that an organisation will accept it or provide particular adjustments.

No. Medication prescribing and titration are not included in the assessment fee. An assessment does not guarantee access to treatment or acceptance by another service.

Children and young people participate in their assessment in a way adapted to their developmental and language level, communication needs and understanding. We discuss how to help them share their views and experiences during online appointments. Where autism is being assessed, the observation of communication and social interaction is also adapted to their developmental and language level.

Parents and carers contribute to the assessment by describing early development, everyday routines, strengths, support needs and experiences over time. They can also help the child or young person participate in online appointments. Their perspective is considered alongside the child or young person’s own views and other relevant information; it does not replace their voice.

We usually request school input with consent because it provides context from another setting, such as participation, transitions, peer interactions, learning demands and helpful support. School information is one source of evidence, not a diagnosis. If it is unavailable, clinicians consider alternative evidence.

We usually request school input with consent and explain what information would be helpful and how it will be used. If a school cannot complete forms or provide information, clinicians consider alternative evidence and discuss whether there is sufficient information for the assessment.

Please tell us if school information is unavailable or difficult to obtain. We usually request school input with consent, but clinicians consider alternative evidence where it is unavailable. Clinical review of the available information determines whether it is appropriate to proceed; a missing school response does not itself determine the outcome.

Tell the team about communication preferences, sensory needs, anxiety, learning needs, access requirements or strategies that help. Practical adjustments to the assessment approach may be discussed where appropriate.

This can be discussed during planning. The team will consider what helps the child or young person participate, the purpose of each part of the assessment and the privacy of everyone involved.

No. A report may provide useful information for a conversation with a school or local authority, but education settings make their own decisions about support and provision. NeuroPath cannot guarantee a particular educational outcome.

Yes. You will have an online feedback appointment to discuss the assessment findings, the clinician’s reasoning and any diagnosis, with an opportunity to ask questions. You will also receive a written report with personalised recommendations, whether or not a diagnosis is made.

You will receive a detailed written report explaining the assessment findings, any diagnosis and personalised recommendations. It brings together relevant history, information considered, clinical reasoning, strengths and needs. A report and personalised recommendations are provided whether or not a diagnosis is made.

If you have a question about information in your report, contact the team using the route provided. They can explain the appropriate process for clarification or for raising a concern about an aspect of the service.

You receive your own assessment report and can choose who to share it with. This may include your GP, school, university, employer or other professionals to help explain your or your child’s needs and inform support. NeuroPath does not routinely distribute your report directly to these organisations.

You can choose to share your report to explain your or your child’s needs and discuss support with your GP, school, university, employer or other professionals. The findings and personalised recommendations can inform these conversations whether or not a diagnosis is made. Each organisation makes its own decisions about accepting the report and providing support or treatment. A diagnosis does not automatically secure educational provision, workplace adjustments or treatment.

No. NeuroPath assessment forms, portals and email are not continuously monitored emergency services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or may act on thoughts of harming themselves or another person, call 999 or attend A&E. For urgent mental health support that is not an emergency, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option, your GP or a local urgent mental health service.

The Privacy Notice explains how NeuroPath uses personal and health information, including confidentiality and information sharing. You receive your own assessment report and can choose who to share it with. If you have questions about how your information is used or shared, please contact the team.

Tell the team about reasonable communication preferences, such as an appropriate email address, telephone number, whether messages can be left and any accessibility needs. The available options will be explained in the context of safe communication.

No. Forms and questionnaires are not continuously monitored. They must not be used to request emergency help or to rely on an immediate clinical response. Any safety concern disclosed is considered through the relevant clinical process, not as a substitute for urgent services.

If there is immediate danger, call 999 or attend A&E. If urgent mental health support is needed but there is no immediate danger, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option, your GP or a local urgent mental health service. Do not wait for a questionnaire, email or portal message to be reviewed.

You can contact NeuroPath about your information rights. The Privacy Notice explains how to make a request and provides further information about how personal and health information is used.

Fees, what is included and any relevant payment arrangements should be explained before you commit to a pathway. Contact NeuroPath for current information tailored to the assessment route you are considering; website information does not replace a clear written discussion of the applicable service and terms.

The Privacy Notice is available on the NeuroPath website and is linked from relevant enquiry and patient-facing pages. If you have a question about privacy, information sharing or communication, please contact the team before sharing information you are unsure about.