Children Autism & ADHD

Important: Message from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICB

Waiting for an Autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessment can be difficult, and we want to keep you informed about the current situation and what we’re doing to improve access to these services. 

Across England, referrals for Autism and ADHD assessments have increased significantly in recent years. Unfortunately, the NHS does not currently have enough capacity to meet this growing demand, without negatively impacting other essential services, which means waiting times are longer than we would like. 

Learn more: Autism and ADHD Assessment Services :: NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Learn more about Neurodiversity: Hampshire Neurodiversity

Right To Choose For Child Autism / ADHD Assessment

The normal NHS referral pathways for a child autism or ADHD assessment are below on this webpage. Due to the long waiting times you may wish to use the Right to Choose scheme were you can have a referral to a NHS partner. The NHS will fund it.

Please refer to the table of providers. Once you have selected your provider, please scroll down to find their logo. A direct link to their website is contained within the logo. Please then print and download their referral requirements. Please be aware, each provider is different. Some providers will have a referral form only, others may have a covering letter and a questionnaire. Please download, complete, and hand into the surgery.

Please visit Right to Choose - ADHD UK. Here you will find information about children and adult right to choose schemes for Autism and ADHD assessments.

One option is the Psicon Right to Choose ADHD/Autism assessment. You can download the referral form and if you can complete as many sections as possible, providing as much detail as you can, as this will help with the triage process.
  • Psicon accept new referrals for Children and Young People (CYP) aged 3y 0m – 17y 364 days for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Psicon accept new referrals for CYP aged 6y 0m – 17y 364 days for ADHD. 

Important: Policy

Please read our ADHD Prescribing Policy

ADHD medication must be initiated and monitored by a specialist.

Once a patient has been stable on a dose for 6 months following the last titration, prescribing may be considered for transfer to primary care under a shared care agreement (SCA).

Autistic Spectrum Condition

Having an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) means that the person has a different way of understanding other people & the world around them. ASC is a lifelong developmental condition, not an illness or a disease so there is no ‘cure’ but there are many ways that difficulties can be managed. To learn more please visit NHS/Autism

If appropriate you can refer your child for a diagnosis assessment:

Via CAMHS/Referral if they are aged 5 and above who have mental health difficulties and/or risk to self/others, alongside possible Autism Spectrum 

Via the The Owl Centre for ages 5 and above & under 18 who require an Autism Spectrum Condition assessment only. Any professional within an education, health, or social care setting can make a referral.

  • To help us submit a referral we would appreciate if you can go to the make a referral section & complete the sections on the online form in as much detail as possible but do not submit. Then please print this off and return to Holmwood Health Centre. Alternatively you can print the page first and fill in by hand.
  • We will then review your child's medical record and use details you have provided to submit a referral, if appropriate.

Via PATCH Referral if they are under the age of 5 , or 

If your child is over the age of 5 & has one of following histories:

  • Ex-premature infants (< 34 weeks) or those with significant neonatal disease

  • Genetic syndromes such as Down syndrome, Prader Willi syndrome etc

  • A significant degree of learning impairment

  • Visual or hearing impairments

  • Neuro-muscular disorders, such as Duchenne’s Muscular dystrophy, Cerebral palsy

Neurodiversity & Wellbeing Multi-Disciplinary Team

Here to support you and your child — with or without a diagnosis

Welcome to our Neurodiversity Hub. We know it can feel overwhelming when you think your child might be neurodivergent. You may have questions, worries, or feel unsure about what help is available. This page brings together information and resources to help you feel supported and better informed. 

The Hampshire Neurodiversity and Wellbeing Multi‑Disciplinary Team (NDW MDT) supports parents and carers of children and young people aged 9 months to 19 years. We help families understand how a child or young person’s emotions, responses, thinking patterns, and behaviours may relate to neurodivergence. 

As part of our collaborative approach with children, young people, parent, carers and schools, we aim to strengthen awareness and understanding within educational settings. We do this by drawing on training, support and specialist skills from a range of services, including Therapies, Educational Psychology, the Primary Behaviour Service and Inclusion Services. 

All of our work supports the development of inclusive environments that recognise and respond to the needs of neurodivergent children and young people. 

How this team can help 

If your child is neurodivergent, or if you are noticing emerging neurodivergent traits, you do not need to wait for a formal diagnosis to access support. The team provides universal advice, guidance, and signposting for families and professionals, helping you feel more confident and supported. 

The NDW MDT is not a diagnostic or case‑holding service. Instead, we work alongside parents and carers, education settings, and other professionals to: 

  • explore areas of need 

  • provide advice and recommendations 

  • support access to other services where appropriate 

Reasons you might contact or be referred to this service include: 

  • concerns about possible neurodivergence, including autistic traits, attention related differences, speech and language delay, social communication or interaction differences, and associated social or emotional needs 

  • concerns about a child or young person’s development that are causing challenges at home, in education, or across both settings 

How to contact the team 

Parents and carers are encouraged to talk with their child’s key worker or a trusted adult in their school or setting to explore concerns together and consider how further support for inclusion and neurodiversity may be offered through the education setting’s ordinarily available provision. If additional support is needed, the NDW MDT team can help. 

Families and professionals with concerns can contact the team for advice and guidance - Visit the main site

ADHD

If you have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) this means that you can struggle with paying attention, have high levels of energy & react quickly to things. This can get in the way of everyday life such as school, hobbies and making friends, although how much it affects someone can vary from person to person

To learn more & how to refer your child for an assessment, if appropriate, please visit CAMHS

PATCH Referral

If you or a professional have concerns about your childs development or behaviour then they maybe suitable for referral to the PATCH meeting

This includes

  • Children with complex needs who live in, or have transferred in to the patch and need ongoing follow up

  • Vulnerable children with significant health needs

  • Children born under 30 weeks gestation who require a developmental assessment at 48 months

Supporting Families of Neurodivergent Children

The wait for NHS ADHD or autism support can be a challenging and uncertain time for many parents and carers. To help bridge this gap, Dr Farnaaz Sharief MBE offers the iRise and Raise Programme- an affordable pathway to navigating this period with confidence. This programme provides practical tools, empowering frameworks, and supportive guidance to help you feel balanced and in control while awaiting NHS services.

Autism Hampshire Workshops

Ages 5 to 17 years old. Autism Hampshire offers workshops for families of autistic children and young people, which are funded by the local councils.

The aim of each course is to provide insight, advice and support to family members of autistic children. Each session will explore a child’s unique experiences and suggest practical ways in which their differences can be accommodated and supported.

Vist Parent Workshops | Autism Hampshire

Barnardo's Family Support

Provides evidenced based skills building programmes for parents and carers who have children aged 3-17 who:
1. Have a diagnosed Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)
2. Have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
3. Have Autism or ADHD traits
4. Are experiencing mild-moderate conduct disorder
5. Have behaviour that challenges
6. Are teenagers displaying anti-social behaviour including child to parent violence

Visit Hampshire and IOW Support for Neurodiverse Families | Barnardo's (barnardos.org.uk)

BRAAIN
Page last reviewed: 16 May 2026
Page created: 10 December 2019