A Holyrood committee has called for a full review of how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism are assessed in Scotland, warning that long delays are leaving many people without vital support. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee found that waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments can stretch into years, with some health boards closing their lists entirely.
In a newly published report, the committee said growing demand for assessments reflects better awareness and historic underdiagnosis, rather than an increase in inappropriate referrals. Members argued that inconsistent access across the country is unfair and can prevent individuals from accessing reasonable adjustments, treatment options or support that would allow them to participate fully in education, work and society.
The committee is calling for a national standard for autism and ADHD assessments to ensure consistent, high-quality provision regardless of location. It also stressed the importance of clear and reliable pathways into post-diagnosis support, noting that a lack of diagnosis can leave people excluded from services even when their needs are evident. The report highlights that prolonged waits can push individuals into crisis, increasing pressure on already stretched services.
Alongside assessment reform, the committee recommended improved national monitoring of referrals and waiting times, including regular reporting and the development of a comprehensive data dashboard. It also urged a joined-up approach across health, social care, education and other public services, with better workforce planning, integrated funding, inclusive education and stronger support for families, to improve outcomes for neurodivergent people across Scotland.
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has rolled out a new electronic patient record system designed to improve how reasonable adjustments are identified and delivered for autistic people and those with learning disabilities. The digital approach aims to ensure that key information about patients’ needs is recorded clearly and used consistently across services.
Through a secure online portal, patients are now able to share important details at their first appointment, including communication preferences, neurodivergence, and any adjustments they require. Recording this information early is intended to reduce repetition for patients, cut down on administrative duplication for staff, and improve continuity of care across different teams and settings.
The new system also provides real-time data, allowing services to track patient journeys more effectively and identify pressures or gaps in support. By replacing retrospective audits with live information, teams can better understand outcomes, plan care more proactively and support safer, timelier discharges from services.
The records were redesigned in collaboration with people who have lived experience of autism and learning disabilities, alongside clinicians. Their input helped shape what information is collected, how it is described and how it is flagged within the system. The Trust said this co-designed approach ensures the records reflect real needs rather than assumptions, supporting more personalised care. Leaders at Kent and Medway say the digital infrastructure forms part of a wider programme to reduce inequalities and meet national expectations around reasonable adjustment flags in mental health services.
