October is ADHD Awareness month, but what does a neurodiversity assessment actually look like? Kay Szawlis, Senior Trade Mark Paralegal at Springbird IP writes:
Since sharing my neurodiversity assessment journey, I’ve had lots of messages asking how I actually got assessed. When I first started looking into it, I had no idea what the process involved, and it very quickly felt quite overwhelming. So, after I felt my way through the process, I thought I would gather my experience in one place in the hopes it might help others.
A quick disclaimer before we start: this was my personal experience pursuing a dual assessment for both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through the Right to Choose pathway (more on Right to Choose here: Right to Choose – ADHD UK). Processes, waiting times, and providers can vary, and the system may work differently in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
Step 1: Check Whether Your GP Offers Self-Referral
Some GP surgeries have self-referral forms available on their websites. If yours doesn’t, contact the surgery and book an appointment to discuss your plans/ideas (or ‘concerns’ – though I don’t like this word in this context).
Step 2: Ask About the Right to Choose Pathway
During your appointment, tell your GP that you’d like to use the Right to Choose route.
Right to Choose allows patients in England to be referred to certain NHS-approved independent providers, which can often have significantly shorter waiting times than local NHS services.
My GP appointment took place on 23 January 2025.
Step 3: Choose a Provider
Research the providers available through Right to Choose and decide which one you’d like to be referred to. I chose RTN Mental Health.
Once you’ve selected a provider, your GP will need to send a referral letter and any required documentation.
Step 4: Follow Up If You Don’t Hear Anything
I received onboarding information on 21 March 2025. In my case, there was a delay because my GP had not yet forwarded the referral letter.
If you’re waiting longer than expected, don’t be afraid to follow up with both your GP surgery and the provider.
Step 5: Complete the Pre-Assessment Questionnaires
Once you’re onboarded, you’ll usually be asked to complete detailed questionnaires about your experiences, behaviours, and history.
You’ll also need to provide details for two informants – people who know you well and can answer questions about you. Ideally, one should have known you since childhood. I don’t know what happens if you don’t have informants from childhood.
I asked my mum and my partner to be my informants.
My questionnaire was submitted on 2 April 2025.
Step 6: Informant Questionnaires
Your informants will receive their own questionnaires to complete.
My informants submitted theirs on 10 April 2025.
Step 7: Book Your Assessment
Once all the paperwork has been reviewed, you’ll typically be invited to schedule your assessment appointment.
I received my invitation to book on 14 April 2025.
Step 8: Attend the Diagnostic Assessment
The assessment itself can be lengthy, particularly if you’re being assessed for both ASD and ADHD at the same time.
My dual assessment lasted around four hours and took place on 27 June 2025.
One thing I wasn’t prepared for was how emotionally draining it felt. Much of the discussion focuses on challenges, difficulties, and areas where you’ve struggled throughout your life. Even when approached sensitively, that can be quite intense.
Step 9: Receive Your Autism Assessment Outcome
For me, the ASD outcome arrived in the form of a detailed written report on 7 October 2025.
Step 10: Receive Your ADHD Assessment Outcome
My ADHD assessment process concluded with a psychiatrist appointment on 14 October 2025, followed by a final report on 21 October 2025.
My Timeline at a Glance
- GP appointment: 23 January 2025
- Provider onboarding: 21 March 2025
- Self-questionnaire submitted: 2 April 2025
- Informant questionnaires submitted: 10 April 2025
- Assessment booking invitation: 14 April 2025
- Dual assessment: 27 June 2025
- ASD report received: 7 October 2025
- ADHD psychiatrist appointment: 14 October 2025
- ADHD report received: 21 October 2025
Final Thoughts
I hope this helps anyone who’s wondering what the assessment process actually looks like. When I started, I found plenty of information about neurodiversity itself, but very little about the practical reality of getting assessed.
One final caveat: this is only my experience. I pursued a dual assessment and was ultimately told that I did not meet the diagnostic threshold for either ASD or ADHD. Because of that, I can’t speak to what happens after diagnosis, such as support pathways, medication titration, or post-diagnostic services.
That said, understanding the process beforehand would have made the whole experience feel much less daunting, and hopefully this gives someone else a clearer idea of what to expect.