This newsletter is to keep you informed about the waiting list for an appointment with the ADHD and Autism Team, and to share updates from the team. We would like to thank you for your patience.
If you have already attended or received an appointment, please disregard this newsletter.
This page is updated every 2 months. It was last updated: August 2026
August updates
Improvement work
The team have been working hard to improve access to assessment and a better patient journey for young people and their parent/carers. This includes:
- Better administration processes.
- Reduced waits for triage referral outcomes (finding out if your referral has been accepted).
- Technology to support how we record appointments and complete reports.
- Improvements to the ADHD medication pathway.
Our young people and parent/carers are involved in this work through focus groups and Parent Carer Forums (PCFs), making sure the voice of our families is heard and reflected upon as we make these improvements.
Waiting Support Team
The ADHD & Autism Team has launched a new Waiting Support Team to help young people and families on the ADHD and/or autism assessment waiting list access support and information while they wait. As a diagnostic service, the team cannot provide therapeutic services, but we aim to help families wait safely and well by connecting them with relevant support.
Families will initially be contacted by email, and further telephone support may be arranged where needed. Please note, this role is currently being trialled within our Trust. Responses to queries may take up to 10 working days while the team is being expanded.
Text messages
You told us that you would like to receive text messages from the team. We are launching text message notifications of appointments and 24 hour appointment reminders in the next few months.
The text messages are automated through the patient record system and are sent to the main mobile number given at referral. If you have changed your mobile number since your child’s referral, please contact the team to update it.
Waits
Please work out average waits from your child’s referral date. Please note that these are average figures as of October 2026. Your waiting time may be shorter or longer than this. Our team is working hard to meet the demand on the service.
ADHD
The average wait for ADHD assessment is currently 41 months from the date of receipt of referral.
Appointments are currently being offered to those referred in April 2023.
There is around a 3-4 month wait for a diagnostic decision following your child’s ADHD assessment appointment.
Autism
The average wait for East Cheshire autism assessment is currently 36 months from the date of receipt of referral.
Appointments are currently being offered to those referred in September 2023.
The average wait for West Cheshire autism assessment is currently 22 months from the date of receipt of referral.
Appointments are being offered to those referred in November 2024.
Why do wait times change?
Wait times fluctuate and are reliant on many variables, these include:
- Increased number of referrals received
- Transfers into and out of area from another health provider
- Referrals closed as assessments completed by another health provider
- Appointments that were not attended
- Clinician development and training
You can view historical waiting times by clicking the button below.
Missed appointments
In June, July and August 2026 there were 13 ADHD or autism assessment appointments where the young person did not attend or was not brought. This increases waits as another appointment has to be made to complete the assessment, pushing those waiting further back.
If you are unable to attend an appointment please contact the team at least two days before so it can be offered to another person.
We are aware that automatic replies from the ADHD and Autism team (AAT) email address are only sent in response to the first email received from each sender. Further emails do not receive automatic replies.
Emails are checked Monday to Friday apart from on bank holidays. Please note that emails received after 4pm will be reviewed the following working day.
AAT are doing their best to respond as quickly as they can to telephone and email enquiries, and appreciate your patience and understanding. Due to the volume of emails received, and the need for clinical input, there is often a delay before the team can respond.
The email address is only for the assessment of ADHD and/or autism and for ADHD medication monitoring services. If you have any other concerns for your child, please speak with your school or GP.
If you or your child are in a mental health crisis please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to talk to a mental health professional. They will be able to support you to get the help/advice you need. The service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance.
If your email is about the referral process
The referral form for ADHD and autism assessment is on this web page. Following referral triage, an outcome letter identifying whether the referral has been accepted or declined will be emailed to you.
If accepted, your child will be added to the waiting list for assessment. The start date of the referral is the original referral date, not the date it is accepted at triage.
If your email is about wait times for ADHD and autism assessment
All current waiting times for assessment can be found on the MyMind website waiting times page.
Please be reassured that once your child's name is towards the top of a waiting list, we will be in touch to request pre-assessment questionnaires and arrange assessment appointments.
Please note that appointment letters and other correspondence are sent by email. If you have changed your email address or any contact details since your child was originally referred, please email cwp.aatcheshire@nhs.net to update records.
If your email is about ADHD medication prescriptions
If you are requesting a repeat prescription for ADHD medication, then the team require at least 10 days notice please. Your child’s prescription will then be sent electronically to your child’s designated pharmacy. Please check your child’s NHS app if you are unsure of your child’s designated pharmacy. Please note that prescriptions for controlled ADHD medications expire after 28 days.
Please also take some time to look at the support services and resources on the helping myself pages.
Cheshire and Merseyside ICB have developed a comprehensive set of FAQs for families to provide clear, accurate information on Right to Choose neurodevelopmental assessments.
Read more about Right to Choose on the Cheshire and Merseyside website here.
Frequently asked questions – FAQs
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict waits for each person on the wait list. Only wait times for those currently being assessed can be shared.
For help with a variety of concerns, such as mood and mental health, lifestyle and neurodevelopmental conditions please visit the Helping myself section on MyMind.
Every referral is triaged by clinicians or a multi-agency panel. Referrals accepted onto wait lists have to have sufficient supporting evidence as per the NICE guidelines and have also scored above threshold on relevant questionnaires. This ensures that only children and young people appropriate for assessment are accepted onto the wait lists.
Schools receive a copy of the referral outcome letters and are able to make reasonable adjustments without a diagnosis as per the SEND code of practice and Equality Act 2010.
Next steps
As soon as an appointment becomes available, we will be in contact with you. Please note all appointments and other correspondence are sent via email from the patient record system, please contact the team if you need information in another format.
For autism assessment appointments you will be sent a link to pre-assessment questionnaires. These include a form for school to complete. Appointments can only be given once both home and school forms are completed and returned.
What will happen at the appointments
ADHD assessments involve a Qb test (computer-based test) and a parent interview. Autism assessments involve an ADOS assessment (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and a parent interview. MyMind has several autism assessment videos based at each of our different locations.
You can see assessment photo stories and videos on MyMind to know what to expect.
Helpful resources
On the MyMind website there are support services and websites that may be helpful while you and your child are waiting. The website contains links to national and local agencies for support for yourself and your child at home and at school which may help with ADHD, autism and sleep related topics.
If you are concerned about your child’s mental health and well-being
Please visit the MyMind website to refer to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services.
What to do if you or your child is in a mental health crisis
Please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to talk to a mental health professional. They will be able to support you to get the help/advice you need. The service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance.
Should you make the decision for your child to be accepted to another service’s waiting list and/or your child has received an ADHD or autism diagnosis from another service, we appreciate you informing the team as soon as you can.
Participation and Engagement
The Children, Young People and Families Participation and Engagement (P&E) Network captures feedback and make sure that you are given lots of opportunities to have a view and a voice about the support you, or your child, receive when you are seen by our services.
Working with us to improve our Cheshire Autism & ADHD services
Every two months, our P&E team host focus groups for parents and carers. Our next groups will be in September after the school holidays.
Over the last year, the ADHD and Autism team have been working hard to make changes from your feedback.
If you'd like to find out more and get involved in the group, please email the P&E team:
Claire Evans - Participation and Engagement Lead: claire.evans71@nhs.net
Catherine Rudd - Participation and Engagement Worker - Cheshire: catherine.rudd1@nhs.net
Find out more about Participation and Engagement and how to Get Involved.
If you have any queries, please email cwp.
Please include:
- your child's name
- your child's date of birth