Find answers to common questions about ADHD and autism assessments in Essex. This page explains waiting times, how to ask for an assessment, your right to choose a provider and the support you can get while you wait.
Demand for ADHD and autism assessments has increased significantly across Essex and nationally. Services have not been able to keep pace with this growth, which means many people are waiting longer than we would like for assessment and support.
We understand how difficult and frustrating these waits can be for individuals and families, and the impact that uncertainty can have on day-to-day life.
NHS Essex is working with local and national providers to increase capacity, improve access to support and make services fairer, more consistent and sustainable.
Since September 2025, NHS Essex has invested an additional £2 million to increase the number of providers offering adult ADHD and autism assessments.
So far, these additional providers have:
- Carried out almost 5,000 ADHD assessments
- Carried out around 600 autism assessments
- Provided a diagnosis to almost 4,500 people
We have also transferred around 1,700 people who had been waiting the longest for assessment to these additional providers to help them access an assessment sooner.
We are continuing to work with providers and partners across Essex to:
- Reduce waiting times and make them fairer and more consistent
- Improve support and advice available while people are waiting
- Ensure access to services is based on clinical need
- Strengthen prescribing and monitoring arrangements for ADHD
- Improve our understanding of demand and waiting lists
- Make the best use of NHS resources to support as many people as possible
Our long-term aim is to create a simpler, more joined-up system where people can access the right advice and support earlier, whether or not they have received a diagnosis.
No. Right to Choose remains available in line with national NHS requirements.
People who are eligible can continue to discuss Right to Choose options with their GP.
No. If you are already on a waiting list, you do not need to take any action unless your provider contacts you.
Your provider will contact you directly if there is any update about your referral or appointment.
If your symptoms, health or wellbeing change while you are waiting, please speak to your GP or the healthcare professional supporting your care.
You do not need to wait for an assessment or diagnosis before asking for help.
If you think you, or someone you care for, may have ADHD or autism, you should speak to your GP.
Your GP can discuss your symptoms and needs, consider whether a referral for assessment is appropriate and talk through any other support that may be available.
Not always. A formal assessment or diagnosis is not the only way to access support. Help may be available based on your needs, even if you are waiting for an assessment or have not received a diagnosis.
NHS Essex is working to strengthen support before, during and after assessment so that people can get help when they need it.
Support may be available from a range of services, depending on your circumstances, including:
- NHS services
- Schools and education settings
- Local authority services
- Voluntary and community organisations
- Other local support services
We are working with partners across Essex to improve the information, advice and support available while people are waiting for an assessment. Click here to find out more about support available.
If your health or wellbeing is deteriorating, please seek help rather than waiting for your assessment.
You should contact:
- Your GP
- The healthcare professional or service already supporting you
- NHS 111 and select the mental health option if you need urgent mental health support
- 999 in a life-threatening emergency
NHS Essex is working with providers to better understand demand, waiting lists and capacity across Essex. This will help us plan services more effectively, ensure funding is used responsibly and provide consistent, high-quality care for as many people as possible.
We are also setting clear expectations around quality, safety, activity levels and value for money, helping to ensure services remain sustainable for the future.
Our ambition is to create a more joined-up approach across Essex where:
- People can access advice and support earlier
- Pathways are easier to understand
- Support is available based on individual needs
- Assessments form part of a wider package of care and support
- Services are fair, consistent and sustainable
We want people to receive the right help at the right time, rather than feeling they must wait for a diagnosis before they can access support.