The National Autism Assessment Centre
NHS Right to Choose and Private Autism & ADHD Services
The National Autism Assessment Centre (NAAC) is a specialist multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental service providing autism and ADHD assessment, diagnosis, treatment and post-diagnostic support. NAAC is registered with CQC for Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury. Our registered service-user population includes children aged 4–12, young people aged 13–18 and adults. Private ADHD assessment is available from age 4. Where ADHD treatment is clinically indicated, treatment is provided within our CQC-registered TDDI pathway and in accordance with NICE NG87, with additional specialist safeguards for younger children.
NHS Right to Choose Autism and ADHD Assessment, Diagnosis and ADHD Treatment for Children, Young People and Adults
OUR APPROACH
The National Autism & ADHD Assessment Centre (NAAC)
NAAC provides an integrated neurodevelopmental pathway rather than a single-test diagnostic service.
Our assessment begins by understanding the whole person. We consider:
Developmental history
Autism
ADHD
Communication
Sensory processing
Emotional regulation
Learning differences
Coordination and motor development
Sleep
Mental health
Physical health
Education or employment
Family and social functioning
Co-occurring conditions
Differential diagnosis
The Centre also provides a wide range of specialist support services in behavioural/medical assessments for children and adults who already have an autism diagnosis.
Which Pathway Is Right for Me?
Child aged 2–3years 11 months
Private Early-Years Autism Assessment
A multidisciplinary autism diagnostic assessment with personalised recommendations and post-diagnostic support.
Private autism assessment
No ADHD TDDI pathway
Age 4–5 years 11 months
Private autism assessment
Private ADHD assessment
DHD treatment only where clinically appropriate, with the enhanced safeguards required for very young children
Child or young person aged 6–18
NHS Right to Choose
Through our Essex ICB commissioned NHS pathway:
Autism assessment
ADHD assessment
Combined assessment
ADHD treatment where clinically indicated
A GP referral is required.
Adult aged 18+
Private Adult Neurodevelopmental Assessment
Autism assessment
ADHD assessment
Combined autism and ADHD assessment
ADHD treatment and titration where clinically appropriate
NHS-funded Right to Choose
For Children and Young People Aged 6–18 Years
The National Autism Assessment Centre holds an NHS contract with Essex Integrated Care Board for autism and ADHD services for children and young people within the commissioned age range. Eligible patients may be referred by their GP under NHS patient-choice arrangements.
Combined Autism & ADHD Assessment
ADHD Medication Pathway
Right to Choose Letter to take to your GP
Click the above link to complete a Right to Choose letter to take to your GP to request a referral
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
How to Request an NHS Right to Choose Referral:
Step 1 – Check the age range
The child or young person must meet the age requirements of our commissioned NHS pathway.
Step 2 – Complete the appropriate screening information
Relevant screening and referral information should accompany the GP referral.
Step 3 – Speak to your GP
Tell your GP that you wish to request referral to: National Autism Assessment Centre under NHS patient-choice arrangements.
Step 4 – GP referral
Your GP submits the referral and supporting clinical information.
Step 5 – NAAC triage
Our clinical team reviews the referral against the commissioned pathway requirements.
Step 6 – Assessment
Where accepted, the patient enters the appropriate autism, ADHD or combined assessment pathway.
Autism “Experts by Experience”
We work with experts by experience to inform all of our screening, assessments, training and post-diagnostic support.
When Autism or ADHD Is Not Diagnosed
A high-quality neurodevelopmental assessment must allow for either a positive or negative diagnostic outcome.
Where diagnostic criteria are not met, we will explain:
the evidence considered
the reasons for the conclusion
alternative formulations
other neurodevelopmental or mental-health needs identified
recommended next steps
appropriate onward referral or support
Not receiving an autism or ADHD diagnosis does not mean that the person’s difficulties are unimportant.
Understanding Masking
Some autistic people, particularly but not exclusively girls and women, develop strategies to mask or compensate for autistic differences.
Our clinicians therefore consider developmental history, functional impact and presentation across different contexts rather than relying solely upon how a person presents during one clinical appointment. A diagnostic conclusion is based upon the totality of available evidence.
Are you already diagnosed as Autistic or Neurodiverse?
If you already have a diagnosis of autism or a neurodevelopmental condition, we can provide you with support in the following areas:
Help with benefits, including Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Reasonable adjustments at school, college or work
Bespoke co-education sessions for family members or work colleagues who can support you better
Personalised autism support – development of schedules, routines and practical strategies to improve your quality of life
Completion of Autism Health and Care Passport
Further medical/holistic specialist assessments and liaison with your GP
Behavioural assessments
Positive Behavioural Support strategies
Meet the Team
We are a psychiatry led, multidisciplinary team of specialist clinicians providing services in autism. We are registered with professional bodies such as the General Medical Council (GMC), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
We work in a neurodiversity-affirmative and positive way, considering that the journey through ASD, or indeed, any other neurodiverse condition, can be a time of considerable stress and uncertainty for you, your loved ones and those invested in your education, training or employment.
We specialise in providing positive psychoeducational advice for you and those around you to encourage their engagement so that, ultimately, you feel better supported and empowered in your journey.
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Dr Jill Aylott, PhD Autism
Autism Consultant
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Dr Kim Pramanick
Marketing Director
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Dr B Sri Harsha Indrasena
Medical Statistician
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Aphurva Punnath Kollerithody
Paediatric Speech & Language Pathologist & Autism Assessor
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Liza Poyner
Autism Assessor & Lead Nurse
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Samuel Aglago MA, FCCA, MBA
Finance Director
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Justine Watson
Service Director
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