OUR AUTISM & ADHD SERVICES
Combined ADHD & Autism assessment for children & young people (6-18)
Some children and young people show characteristics of both ADHD and Autism. A combined assessment allows clinical teams to consider both areas together, helping to build an understanding of a child or young person’s strengths, needs, and support options.
At Provide Wellbeing, combined ADHD & Autism assessments are delivered by appropriately qualified clinical teams, following NICE guidance and recognised diagnostic standards.
By looking at ADHD and Autism together, we provide a more complete and compassionate understanding of your child’s unique profile.
Who this assessment is for
This assessment is for children and young people aged 6-18.
A combined ADHD & Autism assessment may be recommended if a child or young person:
- experiences difficulties with attention, impulsivity, or activity levels, and
- shows differences in social communication, interaction, sensory processing, or flexibility
- has overlapping traits where it is not clear whether ADHD, Autism, or both may be present
How this assessment can be accessed
Combined ADHD & Autism assessments may be available through different pathways.
- NHS local pathways
Available only in areas where your GP is based and where you reside within an area covered by an active NHS contract. We currently offer combined assessments through our Mid & South Essex local NHS pathway - Self-pay assessments
Available without a GP referral. - NHS Right to Choose
Available only when a qualifying NHS contract is live. We do not currently offer Right to Choose assessments.
If you’re not sure which pathway is right for you, you can find out more information by visiting the following pages:
Our NHS combined ADHD and autism pathway
Before the assessment
Referral and questionnaires
Once a referral is accepted (or a self-pay registration is confirmed), we will ask you to complete questionnaires to help us understand the child or young person’s development and everyday experiences.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us and triaged.
These may include:
- Parent or carer questionnaires
- Self report questionnaires
- Questionnaires from school or an education setting
- Developmental and background information
Returning these promptly helps avoid delays.
Clinical triage
Our clinical team reviews the information to:
- confirm that a combined assessment is appropriate
- plan the assessment in a way that best meets the child or young person’s needs
You will be contacted to confirm the next stage.
Referral and questionnaires
Once a referral is accepted, we will ask you to complete questionnaires to help us understand the child or young person’s development and everyday experiences.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us, and triaged.
These may include:
- Parent or carer questionnaires
- Self-report questionnaires
- Questionnaires from a school or an education setting
- Developmental and background information
Returning these promptly helps avoid delays.
Clinical triage
Our clinical team reviews the information to:
- Confirm that a combined assessment is appropriate
- Plan the assessment in a way that best meets the child or young person’s needs
You will be contacted to confirm the next stage.
Who you’ll see
Combined assessments are delivered by a multidisciplinary clinical team, which may include:
- psychiatrists
- paediatricians
- psychologists
- occupational therapist
- speech and language therapists
Assessments are designed to be child and family-centred, with reasonable adjustments made where needed.
What the assessment involves
A combined assessment brings together elements of both ADHD and Autism assessments and may include:
- a detailed developmental and medical history
- review of questionnaires and school information
- observation of communication, social interaction, attention, and behaviour
- structured assessment tools, such as:
- ADHD rating scales
- Autism observation tools (e.g. ADOS)
- in-person observations, including school observations where required
Not every child needs every tool. Clinical teams tailor the assessment to the individual.
Outcome and diagnosis
After the assessment:
- The clinical team will discuss their findings
- You will receive the assessment outcome or diagnosis, explained clearly and sensitively
- This may include:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Both ADHD and Autism
- or neither, with guidance provided
You will have time to ask questions and discuss next steps.
Written report
Following the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report.
The report includes:
- What was assessed and how
- Any diagnoses given
- How conclusions were reached
- Recommendations and next steps
Reports are written in clear, accessible language and can be shared with GPs, schools, or other professionals (with consent).
Every combined assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of outcome.
Information, advice, and signposting
All families are offered:
- clear explanation of the assessment findings
- advice and strategies to support home and education settings
- signposting to appropriate services and resources
Psychoeducation & Medication
Our psychoeducation programme is only available on our NHS pathway.
Support related to Autism focuses on:
- understanding individual strengths and needs
- reasonable adjustments
- practical strategies, structure, and planning
There is no medication treatment for Autism itself. Support is practical, person-centred, and focused on understanding and adjustment.
Support related to ADHD includes:
Psychoeducation programme:
- Session 1: Delivered at the conclusion of the diagnostic assessment, following confirmation of diagnosis
- Session 2: A virtual appointment with a clinician approximately two weeks after diagnosis
- Session 3: A further virtual psychoeducation appointment approximately six weeks after the second session
Each session typically lasts around 30 minutes.
Families are also provided with an information pack containing relevant resources.
A decision about medication is only considered:
- after completion of the psychoeducation programme and where non-medication strategies have been discussed and implemented
- where ADHD is diagnosed
- where medication is clinically appropriate
- where the pathway includes medication support
Where medication is commissioned, treatment follows NICE guidance and includes careful monitoring and review.
The combined assessment appointment
Who you’ll see
Combined assessments are delivered by a multidisciplinary clinical team, which may include:
- psychiatrists
- paediatricians
- psychologists
- occupational therapist
- speech and language therapists
Assessments are designed to be child and family centred, with reasonable adjustments made where needed.
What the assessment involves
A combined assessment brings together elements of both ADHD and Autism assessments and may include:
- a detailed developmental and medical history
- review of questionnaires and school information
- observation of communication, social interaction, attention, and behaviour
- structured assessment tools, such as:
- ADHD rating scales
- Autism observation tools (e.g. ADOS), where appropriate
- in-person observations, including school observations where required
Not every child needs every tool — clinical teams tailor the assessment to the individual.
Outcome and diagnosis
After the assessment:
- the clinical team will discuss their findings
- you will receive the assessment outcome or diagnosis, explained clearly and sensitively
- this may include:
- ADHD
- Autism
- both ADHD and Autism
- or neither, with guidance provided
You will have time to ask questions and discuss next steps.
Written report
Following the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report.
The report includes:
- what was assessed and how
- any diagnoses given
- how conclusions were reached
- recommendations and next steps
Reports are written in clear, accessible language and can be shared with GPs, schools, or other professionals (with consent).
What happens after a combined ADHD & Autism assessment
Every combined assessment includes post-assessment guidance, regardless of outcome.
Information, advice, and signposting
All families are offered:
- clear explanation of the assessment findings
- advice and strategies to support home and education settings
- signposting to appropriate services and resources
Psychoeducation (ADHD)
NHS diagnosis only
If ADHD is diagnosed, psychoeducation is a required part of the ADHD pathway.
For children and young people:
- psychoeducation is delivered as a 10 week structured programme following diagnosis
- the first psychoeducation session is provided at the conclusion of the assessment
- further sessions are delivered over the following weeks
A decision about medication is only considered:
- after completion of the psychoeducation programme
- where ADHD is diagnosed
- where medication is clinically appropriate
- where non-medication strategies have been discussed
- where the pathway includes medication support
Medication cannot be considered until the psychoeducation programme has been completed and reviewed.
Where medication is commissioned, treatment follows NICE guidance and includes careful monitoring and review.
Our self-pay combined assessment pathway
Under our self-pay service, the pathway for a combined assessment will follow the same pathway as with the NHS, but with a few exceptions:
- We do not require a GP referral. Contact our service directly to register your child or young person for a self-pay ADHD assessment.
- Psychoeducation is not required as part of our self-pay service. You will still receive feedback, signposting, and guidance to support your child.
Please note that we cannot progress with an assessment until all questionnaires and forms have been completed, returned to us, and triaged.
Quality and clinical standards
All combined ADHD & Autism assessments at Provide Wellbeing:
- follow NICE guidance (NG87 for ADHD, CG128 for Autism)
- use recognised diagnostic criteria (DSM-5 / ICD-11)
- are delivered by experienced, appropriately trained clinical teams
- Inclusive, respectful, and person-centred
Not sure if a combined assessment is right for you or your child?
If you’re unsure whether a combined assessment is appropriate, or which pathway applies, you may find it helpful to visit:
How to Access Our Services
Our Assessment Pathways
What Happens After an Assessment
You can also discuss concerns with your GP or contact our team for general guidance.
TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT
Neurodevelopmental Services
Call 0300 303 9966, email
provide.wellbeing@nhs.net
or complete the form below…
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.
