Changes to autism and ADHD support and assessments for children and young people
NHS Greater Manchester is changing how children and young people aged 0 to 18 receive support and are considered for an autism or ADHD assessment. The new approach is intended to:
- provide help earlier, based on the child or young person’s needs
- make support available where possible without waiting for a diagnosis
- identify children and young people who need an assessment most urgently
- create a more consistent approach across Greater Manchester
The changes are being introduced in stages. The support available and the way services work may currently differ depending on where you live.
Why is the process changing?
More children and young people are being referred for autism and ADHD assessments, and many families are waiting a long time.
Children and young people may also need help before an assessment is completed, or whether or not they receive a diagnosis.
The new approach is intended to:
- provide earlier help based on need
- make better use of information from families, schools and professionals
- identify children and young people who need an assessment most urgently
- connect families with appropriate local support
- make the approach more consistent across Greater Manchester
Who helped develop the new approach?
NHS Greater Manchester worked with:
- children and young people
- parents and carers
- autistic people and people with ADHD
- clinicians and other health professionals
- education and social care professionals
- organisations providing local services
- NHS commissioners
People contributed through workshops, meetings and surveys.
When are the changes happening?
The new approach is being introduced in stages across Greater Manchester.
The support available and the way referrals are managed may currently differ depending on:
- where the child or young person lives
- which service receives the referral
- whether the referral relates to autism, ADHD or both
- the child or young person’s needs
We will update this page as local arrangements are confirmed.
How will a request for assessment be reviewed?
Experienced health professionals will review the information provided with the referral. This may include information from:
- the child or young person
- their parent or carer
- their school, nursery or college
- their GP
- health or care professionals already supporting them
The professionals will consider the child or young person’s:
- strengths
- needs and difficulties
- physical and mental health
- communication and social interaction
- experience at school or college
- home and family circumstances
- current risks
- support already provided
They will use agreed clinical criteria and their professional judgement to decide:
- whether more information is needed
- what support may be helpful
- whether an NHS autism or ADHD assessment is clinically appropriate
- how urgently an assessment is needed
The aim is to make decisions more consistently across Greater Manchester.
Information for professionals: Read the GM CYP Autism and ADHD Triage Pathway August 2026
This is a detailed clinical document intended mainly for health, education and care professionals, which goes into further detail about the information stated above.
No. A referral does not automatically mean that a child or young person will receive an NHS autism or ADHD assessment.
Experienced clinicians will review the information provided and consider whether an assessment is clinically appropriate. They will use agreed clinical criteria and professional judgement.
Possible next steps may include:
- an autism or ADHD assessment;
- a request for more information;
- advice about support that may help;
- signposting or referral to another appropriate service;
- continuing with support already in place.
If an assessment is not offered, the family should receive a clear explanation of the decision and information about appropriate next steps.
Children and young people who are accepted for assessment will be prioritised according to their clinical needs. This means some children and young people will be seen sooner than others.
The new neurodevelopmental early support offer is being developed in local areas and will be available in stages.
It is designed to help children and young people and their families who are experiencing autism and ADHD related differences. It will provide them with access to specialists advice and guidance and proven, research-based support. This support will be based on an individual’s need with or without a diagnosis.
As well as the new support offer, families will be signposted to a range of existing appropriate services and support across health, social care and education.
- Advice from neurodevelopmental practitioners–Professionals trained in how autism and ADHD affect thinking, attention, behaviour, and social skills. They assess your child’s strengths and challenges and give advice tailored to your child or young person’s needs.
- Practical strategies. This means the methods and strategies they use are proven by research to help children and young people.
- Understanding your child’s profile – a tool to help identify a child or young person’s learning style, strengths, and needs. It provides strategies which support them at home and school.
- Workshops for parents and carers –Online and face-to-face workshops may cover subjects such as communication, emotional regulation, sensory needs, sleep and supporting behaviour.
- Online information and resources – Families will be able to find practical information, recorded sessions and self-help resources online. The exact help available will depend on where the child or young person lives and the development of the local service
Senior clinicians from children’s mental health and community health services will review referral information. This may include information from parents or carers, schools and professionals already supporting the child or young person.
Autism and ADHD assessments will continue to be provided through local NHS services or another NHS-funded provider.
The service completing the assessment may depend on:
- where the child or young person lives;
- whether they have significant mental health needs;
- whether appropriate local capacity is available;
- the type of assessment required.
Some local community services are still being developed. During this period, some assessments may be provided by another NHS-funded service.
The family should be told which service will be responsible and what will happen next.
Clinicians will consider information about the child or young person’s:
- safety and current risks;
- communication and social interaction;
- attention, activity and behaviour;
- emotional and mental health;
- experience of education;
- daily life and family circumstances;
- support needs;
- support already tried.
The criteria guide clinical decisions but do not replace professional judgement.
Children and young people accepted for an assessment will be prioritised according to clinical need. A child’s needs may also be supported before an assessment or without a diagnosis.
You do not need to make another referral unless the service supporting your child asks you to do so.
Local services are reviewing existing referrals as the new approach is introduced. The service holding your child’s referral will contact you if there is a change to what happens next.
If your child’s needs have changed or you are concerned about their safety or wellbeing, contact the service currently supporting them, their GP, school or another professional involved in their care.
Support may be available while your child is waiting and does not always require a diagnosis.
If your child is already waiting, contact the service holding their referral and tell them what has changed. You can also speak to their:
- GP
- school, nursery or college
- health visitor
- school nurse
- social worker
- mental health or community health team.
The service will advise whether the existing referral can be updated or whether a new referral is required. This may differ depending on where you live and the service involved.
If you are concerned about your child’s development, attention, communication or behaviour, speak to someone who knows them and can help identify their needs.
This may include:
- their GP;
- school or nursery;
- special educational needs coordinator;
- health visitor;
- school nurse;
- another health or care professional.
The route for requesting an autism or ADHD assessment may differ between Greater Manchester boroughs.
