Neurodivergence Support at Highglades
At Highglades, we’re committed to supporting patients and families in understanding neurodivergence, including conditions such as ADHD and Autism. These conversations can be complex, and we aim to provide clear guidance, access to helpful information, and, where appropriate, referrals to the right services.
With around 1 in 7 people in the UK being neurodivergent (diagnosed or not), we’ve seen a growing need for this type of support. Our goal is to help individuals explore their identity, understand what help is available, and make informed decisions about assessment and care.
Right to Choose and Assessments
Many people contact us asking about “Right to Choose” (RTC) providers for ADHD and autism assessments. This can be useful for some, but not all patients require a formal diagnosis. Many benefit more from support with self-understanding, daily challenges, and advocacy.
Please note:
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Right to Choose does not guarantee a referral. We always assess whether an external referral is clinically appropriate.
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For children, we ask that schools support the need for assessment, as their input is essential for the process.
We know the current lack of local services can be frustrating, and we hope to see more options available in the future. In the meantime, we are focused on offering meaningful early-stage support and guidance.
Future ADHD Assessment Service (16+) From approximately March-April 2026, Hastings Federation is expected to offer an ADHD assessment service for people aged 16 and over. This serviceis anticipated to have shorter waiting times than current Right to Choose options.
Patients considering and ADHD diagnosis may wish to waiti for this service. We are keeping a short waiting list, and patients will be contacted with further information colser to the launch date.
How We Work
We usually begin with a structured conversation with one of our team of care coordinators, who will help guide patients to the most suitable support pathway.
We’re fortunate to have Rachel Lowden, our in-house autism therapist, who offers specialist therapeutic support where appropriate. This is based on a needs assessment and the individual's readiness to engage in the therapeutic process. Her work focuses on helping patients explore their neurodivergent identity, develop coping strategies, and better understand the links between neurodivergence and health.
Dr Fox also has a special interest in this area, though due to his full-time clinical schedule, conversations with him must be pre-booked and usually take place after initial conversations with the Care Coordination team.
Care Adjustments and ADHD Diagnoses
We recognise that neurodivergent patients may benefit from reasonable care adjustments, and we’re happy to update records to reflect these needs when requested.
If you have been diagnosed with ADHD by a private provider, we may accept this diagnosis, provided the quality of the assessment meets our clinical standards. However, we reserve the right to decline if we have concerns about the validity or completeness of the report.
Important information
- Conversations about neurodivergence are routine not urgent
- The often require more than one appointment
- These discussions cannot be carried out as Emergency appointments