Autism & ADHD

ADHD is a developmental condition defined by inattention (inability to concentrate), hyperactivity (inability to keep still) and impulsiveness (acting without thinking). Behaviours such as aggression, anger and defiance do not suggest ADHD. 

Learn more about ADHD in children and young people

ADHD Assessment Referral

A school Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) can initiate an ADHD assessment referral. The school compiles behavioural reports and rating scales detailing attention and learning difficulties. The SENCO then submits the school's portion alongside parent-carer questionnaires to the Children's Community Health Partnership ADHD Team. Please contact SENCO at your child's school for more information on the process.

If you are seeking a referral for assessment via the right to choose pathway please contact us for further instruction.

ADHD is a developmental condition defined by inattention (inability to concentrate), hyperactivity (inability to keep still) and impulsiveness (acting without thinking). Behaviours such as aggression, anger and defiance do not suggest ADHD.

Learn more about ADHD in adults

Adult ADHD Screening and Assessment

Adult ADHD assessment and treatment services for patients in Bristol are provided by AWP and Clinical Partners. Patients without a previous ADHD diagnosis should be referred first to the AWP ADHD screening service. Screening confirms whether ADHD and functional impairment are indicated before further diagnostic assessment is offered.

1. Your GP sends a referral to the Adult ADHD Screening Service
2. You recieve ADHD screening questionaires through ATMOS
3. Complete and return the questionaires within 3 weeks
4. The screening team reviews your information
5. An outcome report is sent to you and your GP
6. You are advised of the next steps by the GP

If further diagnostic assessment is indicated your GP practice will discuss the available assessment options with you, which may include:

• AWP Adult ADHD Service (NHS)
• Clinical Partners (Right to Choose)

Patients are able to access other providers through the Right to Choose pathway, however information about other Right to Choose providers is sourced by patients themselves, rather than by the practice.

Autistic people may act in a different way to other people. Autistic people may:

• find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
• find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
• find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
• get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
• take longer to understand information
• do or think the same things over and over

Learn more about the signs of autism in children

Autism Assessment Referral

A school Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) can initiate an autism assessment referral. They document support that may already be provided in school and compile behavioural reports and questionnaires. The SENCO then submits the school's portion alongside parent-carer questionnaires to the Children's Community Health Partnership Autism Hub. Please contact SENCO at your child's school for more information on the process.

If you are seeking a referral for assessment via the right to choose pathway please contact us for further instruction.

Autistic people may act in a different way to other people. Autistic people may:

• find it hard to communicate and interact with other people
• find it hard to understand how other people think or feel
• find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable
• get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events
• take longer to understand information
• do or think the same things over and over

Learn more about the signs of autism in adults

Referral for Assessment

Referral via Right to Choose pathway

If you would like a referral for an assessment via right to choose you can select one of the providers. lease note that we will only refer you to one provider, so please take the time to check what the provider offers in terms of diagnosis/post-diagnostic support and how long current wait times are. 

Right to Choose providers

Once you have chosen a provider you will need to follow the instructions on their website which usually involves completing some forms. You can then contact us so that we can share details on how you may submit your forms. We recognise that some forms require GP completion, we will organise this for you once we have received the forms from you. You will need to have completed and provided us with both the AQ50/AQ10 form and the Right to Choose letter before we can begin to process a referral. In most cases you will not need a GP appointment, if an appointment is required we will contact you following the submission of your forms.

Following the submission of the required documents, we will send the referral with a brief medical summary to your chosen provider who will process the referral and send you an appointment for an assessment in due course.

Referral to local service

If you would prefer a referral to AWP Bristol Autism Spectrum Service please book an appointment with a GP.

Learn more about the Bristol Autism Spectrum Service (BASS)