OUR AUTISM & ADHD SERVICES
Self-pay ADHD treatment & medication
Medication is one of many effective tools available to help manage ADHD. Our approach is governed by strict clinical safety standards and NICE guidelines. Every treatment plan is carefully considered, closely monitored, and tailored to the individual’s health, needs and wellbeing.
Medication is not an automatic outcome of an ADHD diagnosis.
When medication may be considered
Medication may be discussed when:
- An ADHD diagnosis has been made
- Medication is clinically appropriate
- Non-medication strategies have been explored
An ADHD diagnosis allows the opportunity to consider medication if appropriate — it does not mean medication will automatically follow.
How to start the medication pathway
If the ADHD diagnosis was completed with Provide Wellbeing
Following an ADHD or combined assessment, our clinical team will advise whether you/your child or young person are suitable to begin a medication pathway.
When ADHD has been confirmed, after careful consideration, you wish to explore medication please contact our admin team to begin the process.
If the ADHD diagnosis was completed elsewhere (NHS or private)
We may still be able to offer a medication pathway.
To proceed, we will require:
- A copy of the full ADHD report
- Any other clinical letters/reports relevant to the ADHD diagnosis.
If you wish to explore medication, once received, our clinical team will review the information and confirm whether you/your child or young person is suitable to commence treatment with us.
Choosing not to start medication
If ADHD has been diagnosed with us and medication is clinically appropriate, but you/your child or young person decide not to begin medication at this time, you will be discharged from our service.
If medication is reconsidered in the future, you are welcome to return. Please note that fees may vary depending on how much time has passed since the original assessment. You can find further information here.
Medication Assessment Pathway
Medication pathway
- Initial follow-up/medication appointment – face-to-face at our Colchester clinic (30-45 minutes).
- Baseline observations will be taken (height, weight, blood pressure, etc)
- If appropriate, a written prescription will be provided for you to take to the pharmacy
- 3-week medication review – telephone/virtual via Microsoft Teams (15 minutes)
- Progress and any side effects will be reviewed
o If appropriate, a further prescription will be provided - The prescription can either be collected from our clinic or posted to your home address (additional fee applies)
- Progress and any side effects will be reviewed
- Repeat prescriptions
- Available for collection from the clinic
- Postal option available (additional fee applies)
- If any changes are required (dose adjustments or medication changes), a medication review appointment will need to be booked and charged accordingly.
- 3-month review – telephone/virtual via Microsoft Teams (15 minutes)
- At this stage, we assess whether medication is stable and whether we can request transfer of prescribing to your GP under a Shared Care Agreement.
- Stability is typically reached after approximately 3 months, although this may take longer.
- Following stabilisation, a Shared Care Agreement (SCA) is a formal partnership where our specialists provide the clinical expertise, and your GP handles the ongoing monthly prescriptions. Please note, it is at your GP surgery’s discretion if they choose to take over the prescribing.
- If ongoing prescribing is transferred to the GP, you/your child or young person will be required to attend an annual review with our consultant to check in.
- If ongoing prescribing is not transferred to the GP, we can continue to provide private prescriptions. Ongoing reviews will be arranged as clinically required
Important information about prescriptions
ADHD medication is a controlled drug, meaning prescriptions can only be issued for 30 days at a time. The prescription is valid for 28 days after the written date on the prescription. After this, it will have expired and a pharmacy will not accept – you will require a new prescription at an additional fee.
Private prescription charges apply monthly.
Pharmacies charge separately for dispensing private prescriptions. We are unable to advise on pharmacy costs — please contact your local pharmacy for pricing.
Additional medication reviews (telephone or face-to-face) may be required at the consultant’s discretion.
For the pricing of each appointment, please refer to our pricing and payment page.
Where this fits in the wider journey
You may find it helpful to also read:
What Happens After an Assessment
These pages explain the full pathway and how decisions are made step by step.
TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT
Neurodevelopmental Services
Call 0300 303 9966, email
provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
or complete the form below…
Testimonials
Parent / Guardian of RO, Autism Assessment Customer
The practitioners on the day were clearly very experienced and cleverly managed to get my daughter away from me for the assessment, which I’d not expected. Getting the result so quickly on the day was great and the whole experience was nowhere near as stressful as I feared it would be.
Parent / Guardian of CA, Autism Assessment Customer
Really lovely friendly place with a calm environment for everyone.
Parent / Guardian of HB, Autism Assessment Customer
Very efficient service and really lovely staff members. Hannah made my daughter feel very comfortable.
Parent / Guardian of EA, Autism Assessment Customer
Fantastic service from start to finish! The support over the phone was excellent, and I was kept updated throughout the entire process. During the assessment, both my son and I were made to feel completely at ease. The consultation afterwards was kind, compassionate, and very professional.
Parent / Guardian of CR, Autism Assessment Customer
I don’t think it could have gone any better, all of the team were fantastic, super welcoming and reassuring. Loads of support, cannot recommend enough.
RR, ASD and ADHD Assessment Customer
From booking to getting the assessment completed everything was easy, the service was great and we are very happy with the outcome.
Parent / Guardian of CW, Autism Assessment Customer
Once again, we were treated as a family with respect and care. Provide Wellbeing we are so grateful that you are able to offer neuro-developmental services, and always recommend you to others. Thank you so much!
Parent / Guardian of LT, Autism Assessment Customer
Everyone was so lovely, from the initial telephone consultation several months ago, right through to the day of the appointment.
Parent / Guardian of AV, Autism Assessment Customer
It’s taken us 10 years to get a diagnosis for our daughter after no one listening to us. We can now get the help and support our daughter well deserves! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
NT, Autism Assessment Customer
I was made to feel like an equal, an adult, even a friend. The assessment was a casual conversation where we chatted back and forth. Thank you for making me feel less alone and confused in the way I think and feel.
Parent / Guardian of AR, Autism Assessment Customer
To the special lady who in depth and sensitively took the time to tell us about what she found in the assessment and delivered our son’s diagnosis to us. I’ll be forever grateful.
Parent / Guardian of IE, Autism Assessment Customer
Really simple quick and easy process from start to finish. Absolutely wonderful and caring staff who were so good with my child and were so patient and kind when explaining everything. Couldn’t be more grateful for the team.
Parent / Guardian of EM, Autism Assessment Customer
From day one the service we have received has been exceptional.
Parent / Guardian of AM, Autism Assessment Customer
All of the staff at Provide Wellbeing were welcoming and thorough in their assessment. I highly recommend this professional service.
Parent / Guardian of ER, Autism Assessment Customer
All the team were really nice and kind and put me and my daughter at ease. They explained everything very well and made sure my daughter understood as best she could.
Parent/Guardian of GF, Autism Assessment Customer
The staff were very welcoming, they made the experience very playful for my son. As parents we felt listen to and not rushed.
Parent/Guardian of EK, Autism Assessment Customer
An excellent experience, everything was explained in great detail and we felt like we had the time to discuss anything else we needed to. My son was able to ask any questions he had too.
Parent/Guardian of MC, Autism Assessment Customer
Quiet and bright clinic, perfect for my daughter, and the team are lovely and very informative.
Parent/Guardian of DS, Autism Assessment Customer
Overwhelmingly positive. All staff were so professional, and talked about and to my Son in a positive, kind way. It was so refreshing.
Parent / Guardian of BR, Autism Assessment Customer
The team were incredibly approachable and friendly, which made us feel comfortable and heard throughout the entire process. We truly appreciated the clear communication and the care with which they explained the findings. It was evident that they took the time to ensure both my son and I fully understood the diagnosis, which meant a […]
Support you can trust
Our team provides actionable insights, no matter where you are on your journey, and offers expert advice to help you or a family member on your road to a diagnosis. Our ASD and ADHD services are suitable for children and young people seeking a diagnosis.
