Home / Services / ADHD and Autism Services

ADHD and Autism Services

Introduction and Overview

The ADHD and Autism Assessment Service at Nottingham Road Clinic provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and management for adults, adolescents and children presenting with symptoms suggestive of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum conditions. These neurodevelopmental conditions can significantly affect daily functioning, academic or occupational performance, social communication, emotional wellbeing and long-term quality of life. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis and well-structured support pathways are essential for improving outcomes, reducing distress and enabling individuals to thrive.

The service is consultant-led and follows national clinical standards, delivering structured assessments in line with NICE guidelines and recognised diagnostic frameworks, including DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. Assessments focus on understanding developmental history, current symptom patterns, functional impact and co-existing mental or physical health concerns. Care is holistic and multidisciplinary, with access to psychology, psychiatry, paediatrics and allied health professionals when required.

NRC provides a discrete, supportive outpatient environment where patients receive personalised care plans tailored to age, developmental stage, presenting concerns and identified needs. The service offers diagnostic clarification, risk assessment, evidence-based management recommendations and ongoing review where clinically indicated. Close collaboration with primary care, education providers and NHS pathways helps ensure that patients receive continuity of care and appropriate long-term support.

Introduction and Overview

The ADHD and Autism Assessment Service at Nottingham Road Clinic provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and management for adults, adolescents and children presenting with symptoms suggestive of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum conditions. These neurodevelopmental conditions can significantly affect daily functioning, academic or occupational performance, social communication, emotional wellbeing and long-term quality of life. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis and well-structured support pathways are essential for improving outcomes, reducing distress and enabling individuals to thrive.

The service is consultant-led and follows national clinical standards, delivering structured assessments in line with NICE guidelines and recognised diagnostic frameworks, including DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. Assessments focus on understanding developmental history, current symptom patterns, functional impact and co-existing mental or physical health concerns. Care is holistic and multidisciplinary, with access to psychology, psychiatry, paediatrics and allied health professionals when required.

NRC provides a discrete, supportive outpatient environment where patients receive personalised care plans tailored to age, developmental stage, presenting concerns and identified needs. The service offers diagnostic clarification, risk assessment, evidence-based management recommendations and ongoing review where clinically indicated. Close collaboration with primary care, education providers and NHS pathways helps ensure that patients receive continuity of care and appropriate long-term support.

Who the Service Is For

This service is suitable for:

  • Adults experiencing persistent difficulties with attention, organisation, emotional regulation, social communication or sensory processing that may indicate undiagnosed ADHD or autism.
  • Children and adolescents whose parents, teachers, SEN teams or health professionals have noted behavioural, developmental or learning concerns requiring specialist evaluation.
  • Patients with complex presentations or overlapping symptoms, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, trauma histories or learning differences, where specialist assessment is essential for accurate diagnosis.
  • Individuals who have previously been assessed but require a second opinion or wish to review their diagnosis and management options.
  • Patients whose symptoms significantly affect daily functioning, relationships, academic performance, employment or wellbeing, and who therefore need structured assessment rather than general primary-care advice.
  • Referrers seeking diagnostic clarity to support education plans, workplace adjustments, mental health management or access to appropriate interventions.

The service is available to both insured and self-pay patients. Referrals may come from GPs, mental health practitioners, educational professionals or other specialists, although formal referral is not mandatory for assessment.

Conditions Assessed and Managed

The service provides detailed evaluation of the following areas:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Including:

  • Predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and combined presentations
  • Difficulties with sustained focus, distractibility, task completion and organisation
  • Impulsivity, restlessness, emotional dysregulation and executive functioning deficits
  • Symptoms affecting academic or occupational performance, driving safety, financial management or interpersonal relationships

Autism Spectrum Conditions Including:

  • Social communication challenges
  • Restrictive or repetitive behaviours
  • Sensory sensitivities
  • Fixed interests or need for predictable routines
  • Masking or camouflaging behaviours
  • Associated functional difficulties at home, school or work

Associated and Co-existing Conditions 

The team also assesses for conditions that commonly overlap with ADHD and autism:

  • Generalised anxiety and social anxiety
  • Low mood, irritability and depression
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Developmental coordination difficulties
  • Learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia
  • Tic disorders
  • Behavioural concerns
  • Emotional regulation difficulties
  • Functional impairment that may mimic or compound neurodevelopmental symptoms

Risk and Red-Flag Features

Assessors remain vigilant for:

  • Sudden behavioural change suggestive of an underlying medical or psychiatric cause
  • Self-harm risk or suicidal ideation
  • Safeguarding concerns
  • Severe sleep disruption affecting physical health
  • Symptoms inconsistent with typical neurodevelopmental patterns requiring neurological, metabolic or endocrine evaluation

Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Approach

NRC follows a structured, multi-stage diagnostic pathway aligned with NICE NG87 and CG128 for ADHD and autism assessment.

History Taking

Assessment includes a detailed exploration of:

  • Developmental milestones, early behaviour and social functioning
  • School performance, teacher concerns and behavioural reports
  • Family history of neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions
  • Current symptoms, triggers, coping strategies and functional impact
  • Occupational and educational performance
  • Emotional wellbeing, sleep patterns and daily routines

Information from Third Parties

When appropriate, the team gathers additional information from:

  • Parents or carers
  • Partners or family members
  • Schools, SEN teams or workplace supervisors
  • Previous assessments or reports

This provides a comprehensive understanding across settings and over time.
Structured Diagnostic Tools Depending on age and presentation, clinicians may use:

  • Autism-specific instruments such as ADOS-2 or ADI-R
  • ADHD rating scales completed by patients and informants
  • Behavioural and executive-function questionnaires
  • Standardised developmental or social-communication assessments

Physical Examination and Medical Screening

Although neurodevelopmental conditions are clinical diagnoses, a physical or neurological examination may be completed to rule out alternative explanations for behavioural or cognitive symptoms. Relevant tests may include:

  • Blood tests where fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, anaemia or other medical contributors are suspected
  • Imaging where neurological red flags arise
  • Sleep assessments when circadian or sleep-disorder concerns are present

Diagnostic Formulation 

After integrating history, observations, screening tools and collateral information, the clinician provides:

  • A clear diagnostic outcome
  • Identification of co-existing conditions
  • Functional analysis outlining strengths and challenges
  • Recommendations for management, support and onward referral if required

All assessments follow national standards, ensuring accuracy, reliability and transparency in diagnostic decision-making.

Treatments, Procedures and Management Pathways

Management is tailored to the patient’s age, diagnosis, functional needs and preferences. The service provides:

ADHD Treatment Pathways

  • Evidence-based medication management, where clinically appropriate, following NICE recommendations.
  • Non-pharmacological interventions, including behavioural strategies, organisational tools and psychoeducation.
  • Monitoring of treatment response, including symptom tracking, adverse-effect monitoring and functional evaluation.
  • Lifestyle guidance relating to sleep, routines, physical activity and environmental adjustments.

Autism Support Pathways

Autism itself is not treated with medication, but associated symptoms may require intervention. Management may include:

  • Psychoeducation for individuals and families
  • Sensory profiling
  • Behavioural strategies to support communication and daily living
  • Anxiety management approaches
  • Sleep hygiene programmes
  • Support for transitions, including school or workplace adjustments

Shared Care and Primary Care Integration

Where medication is initiated, shared-care arrangements may be established with GPs if appropriate and agreed.

Ongoing Review

Follow-up appointments may focus on:

  • Monitoring treatment effectiveness
  • Reviewing educational or workplace adjustments
  • Evaluating emotional wellbeing
  • Supporting long-term management of symptoms

Multidisciplinary Working and Onward Referral

NRC integrates care across multiple clinical teams to support patients with complex or wide-ranging needs.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

The service works alongside:

  • Psychiatry for complex mental health conditions
  • Psychology for behavioural interventions and therapeutic support
  • Speech and language therapy when communication assessment is required
  • Occupational therapy for sensory integration and functional challenges
  • Paediatrics for childhood developmental concerns
  • Radiology, pathology and sleep medicine where relevant investigations are indicated

Onward Referral Pathways

Where additional specialist input is required, NRC may refer to:

  • NHS community paediatric or mental health services
  • Educational psychology for learning assessments
  • Physiotherapy or neurology when motor or neurological concerns arise
  • Safeguarding services if risk factors are identified
  • Primary care for long-term shared management

The coordinated approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive, safe and joined-up care.

What Patients Can Expect from an Appointment

During an assessment at NRC, patients can expect a structured and supportive process. Before the Appointment

Patients may be asked to complete:

  • Pre-assessment questionnaires
  • Ratings forms for themselves and, where appropriate, informants
  • A developmental history form for children and adolescents

During the Consultation

The clinician will:

  • Discuss symptom patterns and concerns in detail
  • Explore developmental, educational and occupational history
  • Review any previous reports or assessments
  • Carry out structured assessments or observations
  • Consider the need for additional tests or collateral information

After the Assessment
Patients receive:

  • A clear explanation of outcomes
  • A written report summarising findings
  • Recommendations for management and support
  • Guidance on medication, behavioural strategies or further investigations
  • Information on follow-up arrangements

Results and plans are communicated in a clear and sensitive manner, with opportunity for questions and clarification.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a full ADHD or autism assessment take?
A comprehensive assessment usually takes place over one or more appointments, depending on age, complexity and information required from third parties.

Can an adult be assessed if they were never diagnosed in childhood?
Yes. Many adults present for the first time because symptoms become more apparent with occupational demands or life changes.

Does my child’s school need to be involved in the assessment?
Schools often provide useful information on behaviour, learning and social interaction across settings. Their involvement is helpful but not mandatory.

Are physical tests required for diagnosis?
Diagnosis is primarily clinical. Physical examination or blood tests are only used to rule out alternative causes for symptoms.

What happens if the assessment does not support a diagnosis?
Patients receive a full explanation, along with guidance on managing any identified difficulties or referrals to appropriate services.

Can medication be prescribed for ADHD?
Medication may be offered when clinically appropriate and after a full assessment, in line with NICE guidance.

Is autism treated with medication?
Autism itself is not treated with medication, but associated symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disturbance or attention problems may warrant therapeutic support.

Will the clinic communicate with my GP?
With patient consent, reports and recommendations can be shared to support continuity of care.

Can previous assessments or reports be used?
Yes, previous documentation is reviewed as part of forming a complete clinical picture.

Are follow-up appointments required?
Follow-up is arranged when clinically indicated to monitor progress and support ongoing management.

To book an appointment or discuss which clinician you should see first:

Contact Us

Make an Appointment

Professional &
Reliable Healthcare

Providing fast, accurate, and compassionate medical services you can trust. From diagnostics to treatment, your health is our top priority.