The Problem: A Broken System Leaving Neurodivergent Individuals Without Support
Imagine waiting 5, 8, or even 10 years just to be assessed for autism or ADHD—while struggling in daily life without accommodations, support, or clarity.
This is the harsh reality for thousands across the UK.
❗According to BBC News, at least 196,000 adults are on ADHD waiting lists in the UK.
❗Sheffield NHS Trust has 6,000 people waiting but assessed only 3 patients last year (Burns, Loader & England, 2024).
❗Autism assessment waitlists have surged 40% in just one year, with over 140,000 people still waiting (National Autistic Society, 2023).
❗Top mental health trusts in England, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has ADHD assessments for children varying from 5 weeks to 5 years ADHDUK (2023)
These delays directly contradict NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines, which state that no one should wait more than 3 months between referral and assessment—yet 86% of people are waiting longer than 13 weeks (National Autistic Society, 2023). This system is failing the neurodivergent community, and it shouldn’t be this way.
This is what inspired the Neurodiversity Assessment Centre™ (NAC)—to offer accessible, affordable, high-quality pre-assessments that help individuals get diagnosed faster.
Our Solution: Pre-Assessments That Speed Up Diagnosis
At NAC, we provide standardized pre-assessments for neurodivergent conditions (such as ADI-R and more).
- We do not diagnose.
- Instead, we create structured, data-driven reports that individuals can take to healthcare professionals to support faster diagnosis.
Why Get a NAC Pre-Assessment Report?
✅ Clarity Before Diagnosis – Many people are unsure if they meet diagnostic criteria. Our structured reports help individuals decide if pursuing a full diagnosis is necessary.
✅ Faster Diagnosis Process – Instead of starting from scratch, individuals can enter clinical assessments with structured evidence, reducing unnecessary screenings.
✅ Stronger GP Referrals for NHS Assessments – Many struggle to convince their GP that an assessment is needed. Our reports provide structured clinical evidence to support referrals and limit delays.
✅ Self-Advocacy & Early Support – While NHS won’t provide accommodations without a diagnosis, some workplaces, schools, and universities accept pre-assessment reports. This allows individuals to access support sooner instead of waiting years.
How Do We Ensure Credibility?
➡️ Training with the British Psychological Society (BPS) – We use standardized, recognized neurodevelopmental screening measures that align with diagnostic best practices.
➡️Aligning with NHS & Private Sector Diagnostic Criteria – Our reports are structured based on DSM-5 & ICD-11 guidelines, making them easier for professionals to use.
➡️Data-Driven Findings – Instead of subjective descriptions, our reports include quantifiable symptom breakdowns, allowing professionals to interpret data quickly.
How NAC Speeds Up the Diagnostic Process?
❶ Reducing the Need for Repeated Screening
- Most clinicians (whether NHS or private) start with basic screening tools before doing a full assessment.
- NAC reports allow clinicians to skip redundant screening, helping them move directly to the formal diagnostic process.
❷ Strengthening GP Referrals for NHS Assessments
- Many people struggle to get their GP to take them seriously. Our pre-assessments provide structured evidence to make referrals easier.
- GPs often delay referrals due to lack of documentation—NAC reports provide the needed evidence to prevent these delays.
❸Helping Individuals Access the Right Diagnostic Pathway
- Many people don’t know whether they need an ADHD, autism, or another assessment—our pre-assessments help clarify the correct referral pathway, preventing misdirected referrals.
❹ Access to Workplace & Educational Support While Waiting for Diagnosis
- Some workplaces, universities, and schools may accept NAC reports for accommodations before an official diagnosis is received.
- This reduces the negative impact of long NHS wait times, ensuring people can access adjustments sooner.
❺Encouraging Early Self-Awareness & Support
- Many people don’t know what’s causing their struggles until they get assessed.
- NAC assessments provide insights into strengths, challenges, and self-help strategies individuals can use while waiting for NHS or private diagnosis.
What Do We Need Funding For?
1. Training and Qualifications
- Specialized training in recognised neurodevelopmental pre-assessment tools (such as ADI-R, DIVA-5).
- Professional development to align with best practices in neurodiversity pre-assessments.
2. Website & Secure Online Platform Development
- Building a user-friendly website where individuals can book pre-assessments, access reports, and receive guidance.
- Secure data handling – Ensuring GDPR compliance with encrypted storage to protect sensitive information.
- Hiring a software developer.
3. Legal & Compliance Costs
- Covering legal fees for data protection compliance and policies ensuring ethical and responsible use of pre-assessments.
4. Expanding Our Reach & Future NHS Integration
- Long-term goal: Work towards NHS recognition so that our reports can be officially accepted as part of referral pathways.
- Partnering with healthcare professionals to expand awareness and ensure NAC pre-assessments are seen as a trusted first step in the diagnostic process.
Join This Mission – Help Make Neurodiversity Assessments Faster & More Accessible
Every donation, big or small, brings this vision closer to reality. This vision is our goal or creating a world where neurodivergent people feel validated, respected and are given the rights to a diagnosis that they deserve. We need change to improve and we need to find new ways to fix our broken system currently in place. By donating you are agreeing with this cause and are supporting us as a business in starting up and making this cause a reality.
⭐ Let’s make the world more inclusive—one pre-assessment at a time.
❤️ Donate now to support faster neurodiversity assessments!
Sources:
https://adhduk.co.uk/nhs-adhd-assessments-waiting-lists-report/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c720r1pxrx5o
https://www.skillcast.com/blog/neurodiversity-workplace
https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/news/autism-assessment-waiting-times-2023
©2025NeurodiversityAssessmentCentre™