# Right to Choose for children's autism assessments in England, explained

> Right to Choose is your legal right in England to choose which NHS-funded provider you are referred to for certain first appointments, including a child's autism assessment. You make the choice at the point of referral, usually with your GP, and the NHS pays. It may mean a shorter wait. Some NHS areas paused or restricted new referrals from late 2025, but in May 2026 the government said the legal right was not changing.

- Canonical page: https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/right-to-choose-autism-assessment
- Publisher: Rocks Make Pebbles (https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk)
- Topic: Signs, assessment and diagnosis
- Applies to: England
- Last updated: 28 September 2026. Checked against sources: 28 September 2026
- Professional review: Not yet reviewed (waiting for review by a NHS commissioning or legal adviser)
- Drafted with the help of AI tools and checked against the sources listed below. Editorial policy: https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/editorial-policy

## Key points

- Right to Choose is a legal right in England to choose which NHS-funded provider assesses your child.
- Ask at the point of referral, usually through your GP. The NHS pays for the assessment.
- Choose on quality, not adverts: check the NHS contract, the team, registration and what happens after diagnosis.
- Some NHS areas paused or restricted new referrals from late 2025. In May 2026 the government said the legal right is unchanged.
- Right to Choose does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

## What is Right to Choose?

[Right to Choose](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#right-to-choose) is your legal right in England to choose which NHS-funded provider you are referred to for certain first appointments, including an autism assessment. The [NHS says](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/assessments/) that in England "you can choose which NHS service does the assessment and you may be able to find a clinic with shorter waiting times".

The right is set out in law. In a written answer to Parliament on 22 May 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care said patients have "the right to choose their provider when referred to consultant-led treatment, or to a mental health professional, for their first appointment as an outpatient". It added that "no changes are being made to this legal right" ([UK Parliament](https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-05-13/902/)).

Under Right to Choose, your GP can refer your child to a provider other than your local NHS team, including an independent (non-NHS) provider, and the NHS pays for the assessment ([Special Needs Jungle](https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/adhd-autism-right-to-choose-pause-assessments-9-nhs-areas/)). This is different from a private assessment, which you arrange and pay for yourself.

Right to Choose matters because local waits are long. In June 2026, 294,792 people of all ages in England had an open referral for suspected autism, and 86.8% had been waiting 13 weeks or more ([NHS England Digital](https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/autism-statistics/july-2025-to-june-2026)). These figures leave out children assessed by community paediatric teams.

## Does Right to Choose work for children's autism assessments?

Yes. The NHS page on autism assessments, which covers children and adults, describes Right to Choose as an option in England ([NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/assessments/)). Here is how it works for a child:

- **The choice is made at the point of referral.** NHS England's 2026/27 payment guidance for ADHD and autism assessment services says service offers must be communicated to patients through primary care at the point of referral, and that "GPs should explain which providers are available and what each service can deliver, so patients can make an informed choice" ([NHS England](https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26-27NHSPS-SD-ADHD-and-Autism-Payment-Guidance.pdf)).
- **The GP sends the referral** to the provider you choose.
- **The provider should follow NICE.** The same guidance says providers are required to "follow the NICE mandated competency and diagnostic framework", and that an autism assessment should at a minimum involve a [multidisciplinary team](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#multidisciplinary-assessment), meaning professionals from different specialities working together.
- **The NHS pays.** You should not be charged for the assessment itself.

If someone other than the GP is making your child's referral, such as a paediatrician, the school or a health visitor, ask them and your GP how Right to Choose works in your area.

## How do I ask my GP for a Right to Choose referral?

You ask your GP at the point of referral, and it helps to arrive prepared.

1. Book a GP appointment for your child, and say when booking that you want to discuss an autism assessment referral using Right to Choose.
2. Bring your notes: examples of what you have noticed at home, at nursery or school and out and about, plus any reports. The GP still has to agree to refer your child.
3. Ask which providers are available for children's autism assessments and what each one offers. NHS England says GPs should explain this.
4. Check the provider you prefer, using the questions in the next section. You can research providers before the appointment and bring a name.
5. Ask what the provider will need from you and from nursery or school, and whether your child keeps their place on the local NHS waiting list.
6. After the appointment, ask the practice to confirm the referral has been sent. Then contact the provider to check it has arrived and ask about their current wait.
7. Keep a note of dates, names and what was agreed.

If the GP will not refer your child, the [National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/how-to-request-an-autism-assessment) says you can ask a different doctor for a second opinion. If you are told Right to Choose is paused where you live, see the section on pauses below.

> **Try this:** Put your main concerns, your questions and the name of the provider you would prefer on one sheet of paper. Hand it to the GP at the start of the appointment, so nothing gets forgotten if your child is with you.

## What should I check before choosing a provider?

A shorter wait only helps if the assessment is thorough and the report is useful afterwards. Ask each provider these questions and write down the answers.

| Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Do you hold an NHS contract to assess children for autism under Right to Choose? | Right to Choose covers NHS-funded services only. |
| Which professionals will assess my child, and are they registered? | NICE's core team is a paediatrician or child psychiatrist, a speech and language therapist and a psychologist ([NICE CG128](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations)). You can check the [HCPC register](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/) for psychologists and speech and language therapists, and the [GMC register](https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/the-medical-register) for doctors. |
| Do you take a developmental history, observe my child and ask for a nursery or school report? | NICE says these should all be part of an assessment, and no single tool should be relied on alone. |
| Which parts happen online, and which face to face? | Your child may cope better with one or the other. |
| Will we get a written report, a feedback discussion and a follow-up? | NICE recommends all three, with a follow-up within 6 weeks of a diagnosis. |
| What happens after a diagnosis? | NICE says families should get information about local support. Ask whether that comes from the provider or your local services. |
| Will local services and my child's school accept your report? | Ask your GP, council and school as well, so there are no surprises later. |
| What is your current wait for children, from referral to report? | Waiting times change. Ask for today's figure. |

You can also look up a clinic on the [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/) website, which lists registered health services in England. This guide does not name or recommend any provider.

## Is Right to Choose paused in some areas?

In some areas, yes. Special Needs Jungle reported in November 2025, updated in January 2026, that at least nine integrated care boards (ICBs, the NHS bodies that plan and pay for local health services) had told providers to stop booking new Right to Choose assessments for ADHD and autism ([Special Needs Jungle](https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/adhd-autism-right-to-choose-pause-assessments-9-nhs-areas/)). They included Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Surrey Heartlands, Frimley, Black Country, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and North Central London.

The report said the pauses used "Activity Management Plans" in the NHS Standard Contract, which can limit or pause services if an agreed limit is likely to be exceeded. Families who already had an assessment booked, or were part-way through, should not have been affected. Others in paused areas faced waiting until at least April 2026. We could not confirm which pauses were still in place in September 2026.

In August 2026, the [National Autistic Society](https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/news/autism-assessment-waiting-times-june-2026) said "ICBs are turning to temporary initiatives such as restricting right to choose, creating a postcode lottery for autism services".

The government's position, in its May 2026 written answer, is that ICBs decide how to manage demand ([UK Parliament](https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-05-13/902/)). Where an ICB pauses or manages Right to Choose activity, it decides any local prioritisation criteria, "taking account of clinical need and patient safety", and should communicate clearly with patients and families. The legal right itself is unchanged.

If you are told Right to Choose is paused where you live:

- Ask your GP whether the pause covers children's autism assessments, and when it is due to be reviewed.
- Ask your ICB for its current position and any prioritisation criteria.
- Keep your child on the local NHS waiting list, and ask for help in the meantime.

## How do I choose on facts, not adverts?

Much of what you find online about Right to Choose is written by the companies that carry out assessments. When we searched for "right to choose autism assessment child" in September 2026, most of the results were providers' own pages or content. These pages can tell you useful facts about a provider, but they are also written to attract referrals.

- Compare providers using the questions above, side by side.
- Ask for the current wait in writing rather than relying on figures on a website.
- Be wary of any pressure to decide quickly.
- If you are unsure, talk it through with your GP, your local autism team or a charity such as [Contact](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#contact).

> **Good to know:** You do not need to wait for any assessment to get help at nursery or school. In England, [SEN support](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#sen-support) should be based on your child's needs, not a diagnosis ([IPSEA](https://www.ipsea.org.uk/blog/the-myth-of-needing-a-diagnosis-before-you-can-get-support)).

> **Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland:** Right to Choose applies in England only. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ask your GP, health visitor or your child's school about your local assessment service. Our guide to [what happens at a child's autism assessment](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/autism-assessment-for-children) covers each nation briefly.

## Where can I get help?

- [Contact](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#contact) runs a free helpline on 0808 808 3555 for families with disabled children, covering getting a diagnosis, benefits and education ([Contact](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/our-helpline/)).
- The [National Autistic Society](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#nas) has guidance on asking for an assessment.
- Your local [SENDIASS](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#sendiass) and [IPSEA](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/where-to-get-help#ipsea) can advise on support at nursery or school while you wait.
- Our guides explain [what you can do while you wait](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/waiting-for-an-autism-assessment), [what happens at the assessment](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/autism-assessment-for-children), including private options, and [what to do after a diagnosis](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/guides/after-an-autism-diagnosis), including [post-diagnostic support](https://rocksmakepebbles.co.uk/glossary#post-diagnostic-support).

## Questions parents ask

### Can someone explain Right to Choose?

Right to Choose is your legal right in England to choose which NHS-funded provider you are referred to for certain first appointments, including an autism assessment for your child. You make the choice at the point of referral, usually with your GP, and the NHS pays. It can help you find a service with a shorter wait. It is not the same as paying privately, and it does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

### Can I use Right to Choose for my child's autism assessment?

Yes, in England. Ask your GP when your child is being referred for an autism assessment. NHS England says GPs should explain which providers are available and what each one can deliver. Some NHS areas paused or restricted new Right to Choose referrals from late 2025, so ask whether this affects children's autism assessments where you live. In May 2026 the government said the legal right itself is not changing.

### Which Right to Choose provider has the shortest waiting list?

Waiting times change often, so ask each provider for its current wait for children, from referral to written report. This site does not name or recommend providers. Look at quality as well as speed: check that the provider has an NHS contract for children's autism assessments, uses a team that follows NICE guidance, gives a written report and a follow-up, and writes reports your local services will accept.

### Has Right to Choose been paused?

In some areas. Special Needs Jungle reported in November 2025 that at least nine NHS areas in England had paused or restricted new Right to Choose referrals for ADHD and autism assessments, until at least April 2026. In May 2026 the government said local NHS bodies decide how to manage demand, but that the legal right to choose is set out in law and is not changing. Ask your GP what applies where you live.

### Do we have to pay for a Right to Choose assessment?

No. A Right to Choose assessment is paid for by the NHS. A private assessment is different: you choose a provider and pay them yourself. If a provider asks you for money, check with them and with your GP whether your child has been referred under Right to Choose or is being offered a private assessment instead.

### Will school and the council accept a Right to Choose diagnosis?

Ask before you choose. Check with your local autism team, your council and your child's nursery or school whether they accept reports from the provider you are considering, and what support follows a diagnosis. In England, your child should not need a diagnosis to get SEN support at nursery or school, because support should be based on their needs.

### Does Right to Choose apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No. Right to Choose is part of the NHS in England. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, children are assessed by local NHS services, such as neurodevelopmental teams run by health boards or services run by health and social care trusts. Ask your GP, health visitor or your child's school how referrals work where you live.

## Sources

1. [Autism assessments](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/assessments/), NHS, 6 May 2026
2. [Written question UIN 902: ADHD and Autism: Diagnosis (answered 22 May 2026)](https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-05-13/902/), UK Parliament, 22 May 2026
3. [ADHD and Autism Right To Choose referrals paused as at least nine NHS areas tell providers to stop booking assessments](https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/adhd-autism-right-to-choose-pause-assessments-9-nhs-areas/), Special Needs Jungle, 6 January 2026
4. [2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme: ADHD and autism diagnostic assessment services payment guidance](https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26-27NHSPS-SD-ADHD-and-Autism-Payment-Guidance.pdf), NHS England, March 2026
5. [Autism Statistics, July 2025 to June 2026](https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/autism-statistics/july-2025-to-june-2026), NHS England Digital, 13 August 2026
6. [Autism assessment waiting times](https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/news/autism-assessment-waiting-times-june-2026), National Autistic Society, 13 August 2026
7. [Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis (CG128), recommendations](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128/chapter/Recommendations), NICE, April 2025
8. [How to request an autism assessment](https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/how-to-request-an-autism-assessment), National Autistic Society
9. [Check the register](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/), Health and Care Professions Council
10. [The medical register](https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/the-medical-register), General Medical Council
11. [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/), Care Quality Commission
12. [The myth of needing a diagnosis before you can get support](https://www.ipsea.org.uk/blog/the-myth-of-needing-a-diagnosis-before-you-can-get-support), IPSEA, 25 April 2025
13. [Our helpline](https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/our-helpline/), Contact

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General information for families in the UK, not medical, legal or financial advice. If you are worried about your child's health, contact your GP or call NHS 111 (in Northern Ireland, your GP out of hours service). In an emergency, call 999.