NHS Right to Choose
Adult Autism Assessment
A detailed, NICE-aligned assessment for adults, funded via NHS Right to Choose, at no cost to you at the point of use.
Looking for a different route? See the Private Autism Assessment instead.
What’s included
Eligibility check
Confirming you’re registered with a GP in England.
NICE-aligned assessment
Assessed against recognised clinical standards.
Experienced clinicians
CQC-governed, suitably experienced assessors.
Report shared with your GP
Findings recorded in your NHS record.
Eligibility
Ask your GP to refer you via NHS Right to Choose.
You would generally need to meet all of the following criteria:
- Registered with a GP in England.
- Your GP considers the referral clinically appropriate. The referring clinician determines whether an elective referral is appropriate.
- The referral is for a first outpatient appointment/new episode of care for the condition.
- Your chosen provider offers the required autism/ adhd assessment service and holds a qualifying NHS Standard Contract with an ICB or NHS England for that service.
- You are not currently detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
- You are not detained in prison or on temporary release from prison.
- You are not currently serving as a member of the Armed Forces. Family members living in England are not excluded simply because a relative serves.
- You are not already receiving care and treatment for the same condition where the proposed referral is an onward referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ADOS-2 appointment need to be face-to-face?
The ADOS-2 appointment is an important ‘observational assessment’. This means an assessment of how you present in person. Therefore, in most circumstances, this appointment needs to be face-to-face. There are exceptional circumstances where a virtual appointment for this is needed and so in some cases, it will be conducted virtually.
The other appointments can be completed virtually and are not essential to be completed face-to-face.
What are the timescales for my assessment?
Please see our Patient Noticeboard for current wait times for your first appointment (from the point of your referral being accepted). All waiting times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed.
Report times are subject to change, and dependant on various factors, please contact us if it has been over 8 weeks since your assessment for an up to date time frame.
More questions?
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Already a Skylight NHS patient?
Visit the Patient Noticeboard for updates on your care, ICB information and more.
How to exercise your NHS Right to Choose Skylight Psychiatry for your Autism assessment
Step 1 If you are experiencing difficulties in your life that you think may be due to Autistic traits, print and complete an ASQ10 questionnaire. Please note that an assessment is warranted only if you meet the threshold.
Step 2 Complete the attached letter and amend it to include your details and your GP information. To make it easier, we have highlighted all parts of the letter that need amending in red.
Step 3 Speak to your GP, taking along your completed AQ10 questionnaire and letter. At this point, you may inform your GP that you intend to exercise your NHS Right to Choose and that you choose Skylight Psychiatry.
Step 4 If your GP agrees to referring to Skylight Psychiatry, they can follow the instructions below.
How your GP can refer to Skylight Psychiatry under NHS Right to Choose
Step 1 We will require a letter from your GP that contains all the information below:
- Your personal details (including email address)
- A summary of your current issues/ difficulties
- Attach the completed AQ10 questionnaire (or an AQ50)
- The need for an Autism Diagnostic Assessment, under NHS Right to Choose legislation
- Attaching summary of medical history and medication
- Include a secure email address for patient correspondence in the referral paperwork.
(Please note the referral needs to come from a GP and that if any of the above information is not received, we cannot accept the referral).
Step 2 Email the above information to:
Skylightpsych.righttochoose.referrals@nhs.net
OR
Forward all the above information via NHS E-Referral System.
Skylight Psychiatry is registered under Mental Health Services and can be found by searching ‘Skylight Psychiatry’.
Step 3 We will confirm receipt of the referral.