Adult Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Service

We have been receiving an extremely high number of referrals, leading to long waiting times that we know are unacceptable.

We are doing everything we can to reduce the backlog and consider how the service needs to be redesigned, working with autistic people and people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to make sure we better meet their needs, as well as the high level of demand.

The waiting times are below. Please remember you do not need a diagnosis to access help and support. Take a look at the section below on 'What you can do while you wait for an assessment’.

While you are waiting for an assessment, you can access the Cogs app for free for six months. Developed by and with neurodivergent people, the app can help support your mental wellbeing and better understand neurodiversity.

We provide diagnostic assessments for adults who may be autistic, have ADHD or both, as well as post-diagnostic support for up to 12 weeks.

We uphold the values of neurodiversity, that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways, there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning or behaving and differences are not viewed as deficits.

We provide a range of care options specified by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These include the management of medication for ADHD with GPs.

Our team is made up of clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, link workers and administrators.

Some ADHD support and assessment clinics are held virtually (online) with our providers. This service is provided by: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, Psicon, Psychiatry UK and Sinclair Strong Consultant Limited.

• Patients registered with a GP in Kent or Medway.
• Adults with a primary need for autism spectrum condition (ASC) and/or ADHD support.
• A transition service for young people 17-and-a-half years and older who are diagnosed as autistic or have ADHD, to support transition to the adult service.
• Adults who have traits that may indicate autism and/or ADHD and do not have a learning disability diagnosis.

All referrals must be from a health or social care professional, such as a GP or mental health specialist.

Patients under 18. Please visit Kent Children and Young People's Mental Health Service CYPMHS | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust.

Adults with:

• a learning disability
• a primary need of mental health (for example, unstable and high risk, active psychosis)
• neurological disabilities, acquired brain injury.

• Assessment and diagnosis of autism and ADHD
• Our post-diagnostic service can offer signposting, self-help, peer support groups, supporting access to other services and short-term structured support depending on the individual’s needs.

• Contact the support groups listed in the autism, ADHD and carers sections of this website.
• If you are at college or university talk to teachers, student support services or special educational needs (SENCO) staff.
• If you work, speak to your manager or human resources team.
• Ask your local council for a needs assessment to see what support they can recommend.
• Access the Cogs app for free for six months.

You will be asked to fill in a questionnaire about yourself and the issues you are experiencing. Try not to overthink your answers, go with your first thought as this is likely to be the most accurate response. There are no wrong answers, this isn’t a test, please just answer honestly.

You will be given a form or forms for someone else to fill in, ideally, someone who has known you all your life, such as your parents. If you don’t have someone who has known you all your life, choose someone who knows you very well.

You may have already completed some of these forms with your GP.

They will speak to the person who has known you all your life to find out a bit more about you and read any reports from your GP about any other health problems you may have.

If you have had palpitations due to anxiety make sure you include this when asked about heart health.

You can answer with as much or as little information as you want to.

Watch Psychiatry UK video on what happens before your assessment

Watch our video on what happens at your assessment with Sinclair Strong Consultants

Watch Psychiatry UK video on what happens during your assessment

Watch Psychiatry UK on what happens after your assessment