How do I get a referral for an ADHD or autism assessment?

The short answer

Check the current local pathway before preparing the referral. Depending on the child, area and question, the referrer may be a GP, school, health visitor or another professional. Ask the service what it assesses, who can refer, what information it needs and what happens at triage. Describe specific observations across time and settings, their impact, support already tried and the question for assessment. Do not rely on a screening score or trait list. Keep a copy and ask for the decision and reasons in writing. If a referral is returned, identify whether information is missing, the wrong service was used or the service decided its criteria were not met; each requires a different next step.

• Find the current local service and accepted referrers before assembling evidence.
• State the assessment question, pattern, impact, variation and support already tried.
• Include parent, child, education and health information without forcing agreement.
• Keep a copy and ask for the triage decision and reasons.
• Match the response to missing information, wrong pathway or criteria decision.