Confused about ADHD diagnosis pathways..

[MorrowTreasure]

My son 11yrs has been on the CAMHs waiting list for an ADHD assessment only since June this year-am aware it might/probably will be years till an assessment. I’m thinking of going down the right to choose pathway? But his GP doesn’t do shared care for ADHD medication. I’m also thinking about getting a private assessment.
I don’t know if schools accept private diagnoses? For extra time in exams etc? My daughter has this as she is dyslexic.
I’m also wondering if he does get an assessment on the right to choose pathway but as we can’t access nhs funded medication can he still have the CAMHs assessment when he gets to that if he’s still a child..? Not sure what’s best to do.

Schools cannot lawfully have blanket policies of refusing to accept private assessments just because they are private. Although support in schools is based on needs rather than diagnosis.

Exam access arrangements are based on needs, not diagnosis. You can see the current rules here. However, they will change by the time DS will be sitting GCSEs.

For those who receive RTC diagnoses, there should be arrangements for receiving medication even if the GP won’t agree to shared care. You may find the arrangements on your ICB’s website. However, there may be another wait for this.

If you go for a private assessment, most GPs won’t take on shared care for private diagnoses now, you will be able to remain on the CAMHS list. Sometimes they will just sign off the existing diagnosis and agree to the NHS taking over prescribing and sometimes they will want to reassess - which depends on the individual circumstances, the provider who diagnosed and the CAMHS service.

So is the best plan to try RTC and stay on CAMHs list? I’d have to pay for private prescriptions as GP won’t do shared care and then wait for CAHMs to hopefully agree to NHS prescriptions further down the line?
Is there any other benefit to RTC over going private other than the wait? And the wait is a few months for RTC mostly?

Waiting times for RTC depends on the provider you choose.

The benefit of RTC over private is the cost.

If diagnosed via RTC, there should be some arrangement for patients to receive medication on the NHS, even if the GP won’t do shared care. These arrangements vary depending on the ICB, so it may be via sitting on the CAMHS waiting list but it may not be.

Apologies in a similar situation and just come across this post. Not sure what RTC stands for? Also what did you decide? It's all very confusing. Thanks

@WildRoseMentor RTC is Right to Choose.

Some ICBs have withdrawn RTC funding. You will need to research the situation in your area, but you could just be signing up to an indefinite waiting list if you go that route.