What happens after a diagnosis?

What happens after an ADHD or autism diagnosis?

Receiving a diagnosis, whether through the NHS or privately, is often just the beginning of a process of understanding and support, rather than an endpoint in itself. What happens next depends on your individual needs and the type of diagnosis.

Receiving your report

After your assessment, you should receive a written report explaining the clinician's findings, including how the diagnosis was reached and any recommendations for support or treatment. It is worth reading this carefully and asking the clinic questions if anything is unclear.

Discussing treatment and support options

For ADHD, this might include a conversation about:

• Non-medical strategies, such as coaching, therapy or workplace adjustments
• Whether medication could be appropriate, which would be discussed and prescribed by a qualified specialist based on your individual circumstances
• Follow-up appointments to monitor how things are going

For autism, next steps are less often about medication and more likely to focus on:

• Understanding your individual profile of strengths and needs
• Accessing reasonable adjustments at work, university or elsewhere
• Signposting to autism-specific support services or peer communities

Sharing your diagnosis

You may choose to share your diagnosis with an employer, university, family members or friends, or you may prefer to keep it private. This is a personal decision, and there is no obligation to disclose to anyone unless you choose to, or unless it is relevant to a specific application for support such as Disabled Students' Allowance or workplace adjustments.

Ongoing prescribing (ADHD)

If you are prescribed ADHD medication privately, ongoing prescriptions may continue through the private provider, or in some cases through a shared care arrangement with your GP, depending on local policy. It is worth asking about this before starting medication, as arrangements vary between areas.

Accessing further support

Many people find it helpful to connect with support groups, charities or online communities for people with ADHD or autism, both for practical advice and shared understanding. Your clinician or GP may also be able to signpost local services.

Adjusting to the diagnosis

It is common to experience a range of emotions after diagnosis, from relief to grief or uncertainty about what it means for your identity and future. Giving yourself time to process this, and talking to others who understand, can be helpful.

A note on this guide

This guide provides general educational information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please speak to your GP or the clinician who carried out your assessment.

Reviewing progress over time

Support needs can change over time, so it is common to have follow-up appointments, whether through the NHS, a private provider, or your GP, to review how things are going. This might include checking in on medication if prescribed, revisiting workplace adjustments, or simply reflecting on how helpful current strategies feel.

Building a long-term plan

Rather than viewing diagnosis as a single event, many people find it helpful to think of it as the start of an ongoing process of learning what works for them. This might evolve over months or years, and it's entirely normal for support needs and strategies to change as circumstances change.

If you disagree with the outcome

Occasionally, someone may feel their assessment outcome doesn't reflect their experience, whether that's a diagnosis they didn't expect or the absence of one they anticipated. If this happens, you can ask the clinic to explain their reasoning in more detail, and in some cases a second opinion may be a reasonable next step to discuss with your GP.