Support and resources

ADHD and neurodivergent charities in Scotland

ADHD Scotland — Scotland's dedicated ADHD charity, providing support, information, and advocacy for people with ADHD and their families across Scotland.

Scottish ADHD Coalition — a coalition of professionals, people with lived experience, and organisations working to improve ADHD services and outcomes in Scotland. Produces policy briefings and campaigning resources.

ADHD UK — a UK-wide charity with a strong online community, accessible guides, and a support line. Relevant to people in Scotland even though it covers the whole of the UK.

ADHD Foundation — a UK-wide neurodiversity charity offering training, resources, and support for individuals, families, and employers.

Autism organisations in Scotland

Scottish Autism — one of Scotland's leading autism charities, providing specialist support services, training, and information for autistic people and their families.

Autism Network Scotland — connects autistic people, families, and professionals across Scotland. Provides research summaries, policy responses, and a community directory.

National Autistic Society Scotland — the Scottish arm of the UK's leading autism charity. Campaigns for rights, provides information, and runs helplines.

Salvesen Mindroom Centre — Edinburgh-based charity supporting children and young people with learning difficulties including ADHD and autism, and the adults around them.

Workplace support

Access to Work — GOV.UK — a UK Government scheme that can fund workplace adjustments, specialist equipment, support workers, and travel for people whose health condition or disability affects their ability to work. ADHD and autism are both recognised conditions under the scheme. You apply through the DWP.

Access to Work is available to people in Scotland. If you are employed, self-employed, or about to start work, it is worth checking whether you qualify. The scheme is significantly underused by neurodivergent people.

Patient rights and advocacy

Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) — a free, independent service delivered by Citizens Advice Scotland that helps people understand their rights within NHS Scotland. If you are having difficulties getting a referral, accessing shared care, or navigating NHS services, PASS can provide impartial advice.

Citizens Advice Scotland — provides free, confidential advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, employment, and health rights.

SAMH — Scottish Association for Mental Health — Scotland's leading mental health charity. Provides information, campaigns for better services, and runs direct support services across Scotland.

Education support

Enquire — Scottish education law advice — the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning (ASL). If your child has ADHD or autism and you have concerns about their support at school, Enquire provides free, impartial advice on your rights under Scots law.

NHS Scotland health boards & waiting times

Each NHS Scotland health board runs its own neurodevelopmental and mental health services. Waiting times, referral pathways, and service names vary significantly by board.

ADHD Scot is gathering current waiting time data from all 14 health boards through Freedom of Information requests. See our dedicated waiting times page for the full picture, including links to every board's website.

View NHS waiting times across Scotland →

Clinical information — trusted sources

Royal College of Psychiatrists — ADHD in adults — plain-English information on adult ADHD written by consultant psychiatrists. Covers symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect from services.

Royal College of Psychiatrists — ADHD in young people — information for parents and carers about ADHD in children and teenagers, including assessment, medication, and school support.

SIGN — Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network — Scotland's clinical guideline body. SIGN 112 covers assessment and management of ADHD in children and young people. All guidelines are freely available on the SIGN website.

NHS Inform — ADHD — NHS Scotland's public-facing information on ADHD, including what it is, how it is diagnosed, and what treatments are available.

NICE NG87 — ADHD: diagnosis and management — the main UK clinical guideline for ADHD. Covers both children and adults. Freely accessible to the public.

Scottish Government

Scottish Parliament Research Briefing SB 25-25 — Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland (June 2025) — a detailed June 2025 briefing covering waiting times, workforce issues, and service gaps across all 14 Scottish health boards. Includes board-level data in Annex A.