Your ADHD & Autism assessment journey with MACC
We Don’t Just Assess Neurodivergence — We Understand It.
At MACC, many of our clinicians are neurodivergent themselves or have close family who are. We combine first-hand lived experience, deep empathy, and robust medical expertise to deliver care that truly understands the individual.
Led by lived experience and grounded in clinical excellence, MACC brings together empathy and expertise. Our clinician-led service is delivered under the leadership of Advanced Nurse Practitioners, with paediatric and psychiatrist consultant oversight, ensuring safe, evidence-based care with genuine compassion and integrity.
Six steps from referral to follow-up
The steps below apply to both adults and children, with small differences for ADHD and Autism, which we explain clearly along the way.
Whether you come to us through NHS Right to Choose or as a private patient, your journey follows six main stages:
Pre-assessment questionnaires
All assessments via secure video consultation with clinical experts.
Treatment, support & psychoeducation
Enquiry & screening
Adults
Adults complete a short online enquiry and screening form. This asks about:
- Current difficulties (for example, focus, organisation, memory, sensory issues, social communication)
- How long have these been present
- Any previous assessments or diagnoses
- Physical and mental health history
This helps us decide whether an ADHD assessment, Autism assessment, or a combined pathway is likely to be most appropriate.
Children & young people
Parents and carers complete a child-focused screening form, covering:
- Behaviour and attention at home and at school
- Communication, play, routines and sensory responses
- Strengths and interests
- Any previous involvement from school, paediatrics, CAMHS or other services
Where appropriate, older children and teenagers are invited to add their own perspective too.
Pre-assessment questionnaires & background information
For ADHD assessments (adults and CYP)
You may be asked to complete:
- ADHD symptom questionnaires
- Brief medical and mental health history
- For children and young people: parent/carer forms and, where possible, teacher or school questionnaires
- For adults: an option to include a partner, parent or close friend as an informant
You may also be booked for a QbCheck (ADHD only): a 30–40 minute, home-based task that provides objective information about attention, activity and impulsivity. QbCheck supports clinical decision-making but does not replace a full assessment.
For Autism (ASD) assessments (adults and CYP)
You may be sent:
- Autism-specific questionnaires
- A developmental history form, looking at early communication, play, friendships, interests and sensory profile
- For children and young people: school or college information, where available
All questionnaires are completed securely online.
Online clinical assessment
Adults
Your clinician will:
- Explore your current strengths and difficulties
- Take a detailed developmental and psychosocial history
- Ask about education, work, relationships and daily routines
- Screen for other conditions that commonly overlap with ADHD and Autism, such as anxiety, depression or sleep problems
Recognised diagnostic criteria and structured tools are used alongside clinical judgement.
Children & young people
For children and young people, the assessment typically includes:
- A structured parent/carer interview
- Direct interaction with the child or young person, adapted to age and communication style
- Review of information from school or college
- Consideration of wider factors such as learning needs, anxiety, physical health and family context
We aim to keep the process calm, predictable and child-friendly.
NHS Right to Choose or private assessment
NHS Right to Choose (ADHD & Autism, where eligible)
For patients in England who meet the criteria for NHS Right to Choose for ADHD or Autism assessment and whose GP agrees to refer.
Private assessment
Diagnosis, explanation & written report
At the end of the assessment stage, your clinician will:
- Explain whether ADHD and/or Autism criteria are met
- Describe the key strengths and areas where support may help
- Discuss any other factors that may be contributing to current difficulties
- Answer your questions and agree initial next steps
You will receive a detailed written report that includes:
- Background information and assessment summary
- Diagnostic outcome (if a diagnosis is made)
- Practical recommendations for home, education, work and daily life
- Signposting to further resources and support
Reports are written so they can be shared with your GP, school, university or employer if you choose.
Treatment, psychoeducation & support
What happens after diagnosis will depend on your needs and preferences.
For ADHD
Where ADHD is diagnosed, and medication is appropriate, we offer:
- A structured titration plan to find the most effective medication and dose
- Regular review appointments to monitor benefits, side effects, sleep and physical health
- Ongoing monitoring in line with national standards
In addition, we offer:
- A focused psychoeducation programme for adults with ADHD
- Family-focused psychoeducation for children and young people with ADHD
- Practical tools to support organisation, emotional regulation and communication
For Autism (ASD)
After an Autism diagnosis, support focuses on understanding and adjustment rather than medication.
This may include:
- Adult autism psychoeducation sessions
- Family autism psychoeducation for children and young people
- Sensory profiles and environmental strategies
- Support with communication approaches, routines and transitions
- Templates such as autism passports for school, university or work
We work with you to agree which elements are most helpful.
Shared care & longer-term planning
ADHD
When ADHD medication is stable and effective, we will usually approach your GP to explore a Shared Care arrangement. This means:
- Your GP can take over repeat prescribing locally
- MACC remains available for specialist advice and scheduled reviews where agreed
- Responsibilities for monitoring are clearly set out
Autism (ASD)
For Autism, the focus is on sustainable support over time rather than ongoing medication. Longer-term plans may include:
- Review appointments at agreed intervals
- Support around key transitions (for example starting secondary school, moving to university, changing jobs)
- Ongoing use and adaptation of tools such as passports, sensory plans and communication profiles
Pathways at a glance
Adult pathways
- Adult ADHD assessment
- Adult Autism (ASD) assessment
- Combined ADHD + Autism assessments where indicated
- Post-diagnostic psychoeducation and follow-up
Children & young people pathways
- ADHD assessments for children and young people
- Autism (ASD) assessments for children and young people
- Family-focused psychoeducation programmes
- Reports and recommendations for schools and colleges