ADHD and Autism Referrals

We are receiving an increasing number of requests for referrals for ADHD or autism assessments. Before contacting us please read the following information which explains the referral options.

Referral for Children (up to age 18)

Referral to Local NHS Services for Assessment and Diagnosis

The school should be referring the child rather than the GP.
A new referral pathway was established in June 2024 allowing schools to refer directly for ADHD and autism assessments. This change recognises that schools are better placed to gather the necessary information and refer rather than the GP.
Please see this website which goes through the referral process. If needed please pass this information onto school so they can read the content and refer you on.
6 years plus Assessment Team | NCH&C (norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk)
Referrals in these circumstances need to come via the GP so do contact us via our appointment system.
ADHD – At present we cannot refer for ADHD assessments if a child is under 6 so if you have concerns your child has ADHD, you do need to wait until their 6th birthday before seeking referral. You can get support if needed via Just One Norfolk
Autism – We can refer under the age of 6 if there are concerns about autism (for example if there are significant social communication problems). Please contact us via our appointment system to arrange this.

Please complete and submit the below NDS Parent and Teacher Observation Questionnaire forms before your appointment.

NDS Parent Observation Questionnaire
NDS Teacher Observation Questionnaire

Referral via Right to Choose

Right to Choose provides you the option of asking for a referral to a particular provider of your choice for assessment.

Non-urgent advice: Please Note:

You need to investigate and decide which provider you would like us to refer to, we cannot recommend providers

The Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) have approved four Right To Choose providers for ADHD and autism assessments:

– Help for psychology (Autism or ADHD) **update May 2025 – the waiting list for this provider is temporarily closed and will not accept new referrals, we will remove this message when the waiting list re-opens**
– The Owl Centre (Autism or ADHD)
– Evolve Psychology (Autism or ADHD)
– Paloma Health (Autism only)

Please note that if medication is required and was issued by any private provider including ICB approved providers, the GP surgery will not be able to continue these prescriptions.

You can find more information about the ICB policy here NHS Right to Choose Neurodevelopmental Services for Children and Young People – Information for Primary Care – Knowledge NoW – please note the information on this webpage is written for GPs but we thought it would be useful to include for patients to access.

Once you have chosen a provider, please visit their website and ensure you have filled out all the pre-referral information (each provider will require something different to refer and without this information we will be unable to refer).

Then contact us to ask for a referral to one of the listed providers.

If, following an assessment medication is prescribed, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide this medication.

Every so often, providers will pause accepting any new referrals.

Referrals for Adults

Referral to Local NHS Services for Assessment and Diagnosis

ADHD & Autism

We can refer adults (18+) for suspected ADHD or autism. There are very specific pieces of information which we need to include with the referral. We have prepared an electronic pre-referral questionnaire to send to patients seeking referral to gather all the necessary information.

You can contact us via our appointment system to request one of these questionnaires or complete the form below if you would like an ADHD Assessment.

ADHD Assessment for NHS – Adults over 18 years old

Right to Choose

Right to Choose provides you the option of asking for a referral to a particular provider of your choice for assessment.

Non-urgent advice: Please Note:

You need to investigate and decide which provider you would like us to refer to, we cannot recommend providers.

The Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) have approved four Right To Choose providers:

Every so often, providers will pause accepting any new referrals.  

Please note that if medication is required and was issued by any private provider including ICB approved providers, the GP surgery will not be able to continue these prescriptions.

Pre-referral questionnaire for Right to Choose – Adult and Children

What Happens Next?

Please make sure you completed and submitted pre referral questionnaire, otherwise we will not be able to process your request.  Once you completed and submitted your pre referral questionnaire, we will acknowledge the receipt of your request then we will update you on a later date about to the progress of your referral.

If, following an assessment, medication is prescribed we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide this medication.

Every so often, providers will pause accepting any new referrals.