NHS ADHD and autism waiting times in Scotland

The national picture

NHS waiting lists for adult ADHD and autism assessments in Scotland are long, and they have been rising for several years. As of March 2025, around 23,300 adults and 42,300 children were waiting for a neurodevelopmental (ADHD or autism) assessment in Scotland (Scottish Parliament research, 2025). Across Scotland the median adult wait was about 76 weeks, ranging from 24 to 146 weeks across health boards, and most boards see fewer than half of patients within the recommended 36-week standard (Scottish Parliament, 2025).

These are not figures that Scotland routinely publishes. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has described these waiting lists as “hidden” (RCPsych, 2025), with numbers typically emerging through freedom-of-information requests rather than routine reporting. That means board-level figures vary in how they were measured, when they were collected, and what exactly they count, so direct comparisons should be treated with caution.

What the data does make clear is that Scotland does not currently have a nationally consistent pathway for adult neurodevelopmental assessment, and that demand has grown far faster than services have been resourced to meet it.

Waiting times by health board

The following figures were obtained through freedom-of-information requests or Scottish Parliament research. They reflect different points in time and should be read as indicative rather than as current or comprehensive. Where no reliable adult-specific figure exists for a board, this is stated honestly.

Sources: FOI requests; Scottish Parliament research (2024–2025). Figures reflect different reference dates; they are not directly comparable and should be read as indicative only.

Why are the waits so long?

The core problem is a mismatch between demand and capacity that has developed rapidly over a short period. The sharp rise in referrals is not a blip: it reflects a genuine increase in awareness, in people recognising themselves in descriptions of ADHD and autism, and in GPs responding to requests for assessment that previously went unmade. In NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, adult ADHD referrals rose by around 1,000% between 2020 and 2023 (Scottish Parliament, 2024). Similar trends have been seen across every Scottish health board.

NHS services, however, were not resourced for this scale of demand. Adult neurodevelopmental assessment has historically been under-invested compared with children’s services. Scotland has no single national pathway for adult ADHD or autism assessment, which means each board has developed different criteria, thresholds, and service models, with no consistent standard against which to measure or address the backlog.

The result is that tens of thousands of adults in Scotland are living with significant difficulties, often for many years, while waiting for a diagnosis that could help them understand themselves and access appropriate support.

What you can do while you wait

If you have been referred to your local NHS service, it is generally worth remaining on the waiting list even if you seek a private assessment in the meantime. An NHS referral preserves your place and may be relevant for ongoing prescribing support or specialist NHS services later.

For many people, the most practical route to a timely diagnosis is a self-funded private assessment. Caledonian Psychiatry offers private ADHD assessment and autism assessment remotely, across Scotland, conducted by Dr David Crocker, an experienced psychiatrist (MRCPsych) regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (reg. 03427). Both assessments cost £800 and take place over two 60-minute video consultations. Full details of charges are on the fees page. You can also read more about what a private ADHD assessment in Scotland involves and about private autism assessment in Scotland.

It is also important to understand that the NHS Right to Choose scheme, which in England allows patients to choose any approved provider for their assessment, does not apply in Scotland. There is no equivalent mechanism north of the border, so if you are waiting for an NHS assessment in Scotland, you cannot use Right to Choose to access a different provider at NHS cost. If you are weighing up whether to keep waiting or go private, our guide to private vs NHS ADHD assessment in Scotland sets out both routes side by side.

While waiting, some people find it helpful to:

• Keep a record of how ADHD or autism symptoms are affecting your daily life, relationships, and work. This information is useful whether you eventually see an NHS clinician or a private one.
• Speak to your GP about any associated difficulties that can be managed in primary care in the meantime, such as sleep problems, anxiety, or low mood.
• Contact organisations such as ADHD Scotland or the National Autistic Society Scotland, which offer peer support and practical guidance.