Right to Choose
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Understanding Your Right to Choose for Autism and ADHD Assessment
Navigating the path to an Autism or ADHD assessment can feel complex, but it’s important to know you have rights when it comes to your healthcare. Under the NHS in England, the “Right to Choose” gives you a legal say in which clinically appropriate provider you are referred to for your first outpatient appointment for a mental health condition, including assessments for neurodevelopmental conditions. This means if you are referred by your GP for an Autism or ADHD assessment, you can choose any provider that has a standard contract with any NHS England group, as long as they are a suitable service for your needs.
At S4Nd, we are committed to ensuring neurodivergent individuals and their GPs have the information and tools to exercise this right. We have developed a comprehensive guide and a “Right to Choose Pack” to help you understand the regulations, challenge incorrect refusals, and navigate the referral process with confidence. Explore our resources below to learn more about how you can take control of your assessment journey.
S4Nd Guide – Right to Choice
Right to choice in mental health – Neurodevelopmental Conditions. This is S4Nds guide to Patient Choice regulations – based upon the Patient Choice chapter in NHS Law and Practice written by David Lock QC and Hannah Gibbs.
Information Pack – Autism and ADHD
The Right to Choose (RTC) information pack for autism and ADHD is designed to inform individuals in England about their legal entitlement to choose their mental healthcare provider within the NHS. While this right aims to improve access to timely assessments and treatments for conditions like ADHD and autism, individuals often encounter complex pathways and unforeseen barriers.
Resources and Downloads
Welcome to the central Resources and Downloads hub from The Society for Neurodiversity (S4Nd), created for neurodiverse individuals, their families, and allies across the UK. This comprehensive library contains a growing collection of practical tools designed to help you navigate complex systems, understand your rights, and advocate effectively for the support you need.
Factsheets
These factsheets from the Society for Neurodiversity (CIO) offer essential guidance for adults navigating the NHS system for autism assessment, particularly under the Right to Choose framework. They provide clear explanations of screening tools like the AQ-10, detail the criteria for autism based on your lived experience, and clarify your legal rights regarding “clinically appropriate” referrals and the critical need for explicit consent when your medical information is shared for purposes beyond direct care. Our aim is to empower you to understand your rights, challenge unfair practices, and access the specialist assessment you need.