ADHD and ASD pathways and support (BSL)
Overview
The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is carrying out an inquiry into Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) pathways and support.
The inquiry aims to:
- understand why waiting times for diagnosis and management of ADHD and ASD are reportedly long, including the drivers of increasing demand;
- understand how these conditions are diagnosed and managed;
- examine the impact of high demand and delays on individuals and healthcare staff;
- explore solutions to improve capacity of services, referral pathways and support.
Both ADHD and ASD are neurodevelopmental conditions.
About ADHD
ADHD is characterised by a group of symptoms that includes difficulty in concentrating, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. It affects around 5% of school-aged children, and between 2.5% and 4% of adults.
About ASD
ASD is a lifelong developmental condition that affects the way a person communicates, interacts and processes information. It is often characterised by social and communication difficulties and by repetitive behaviours. Current estimates indicate that about 1 in 34 people are autistic, which is just under 3% of the population.
The call for evidence
The Committee wants to gather evidence from individuals, or their families, who have experience of ADHD or ASD and the pathways to treatment and support for these conditions. We also want to gather evidence from individuals who work supporting those with ADHD or ASD.
We are keen to find out about personal experience, including any issues faced in terms of diagnosis, waiting times and access to care and support. We are also keen to learn about positive experiences and examples of good practice that could potentially be rolled out across all of Scotland’s NHS health boards.
The deadline for giving your views is 11.59pm on Monday 18 August 2025.
The views we gather will help inform our scrutiny of these important matters and provide valuable information which Committee members can use when they question support organisations, healthcare providers and the Scottish Government in future evidence sessions.
Thank you for sharing your views.
If you have any questions, please email info@parliament.scot or call 0800 092 7500. You can call in BSL through contactscotland-bsl.org
How to tell us what you think
You can tell us your answers in BSL or in written English. Please answer all the questions.
Submitting your answers in BSL
You can send us a BSL video with your answers. In your BSL video, please state clearly which question numbers you are referring to.
Please email your video to info@parliament.scot
You can do this in two ways:
1. You can use a third-party file-sharing website such as WeTransfer.
or
2. You can upload your video to a private link on YouTube and then share the private link with us through email.
We will translate your BSL video into written English and post the translation on the Your Priorities website. This means other people will be able to see your views in English but your personal information such as your email address won’t be published.
Submitting your answers in written English
You can tell us your answers in English through the Your Priorities website: engage.parliament.scot/group/31500
You will need to register to take part here by
- providing your email address
- setting your password.
After you register, you can add your answers. You will be asked to give a short title for your submission.
You can also read what other people have written. If you agree with them, you can click the thumbs up button beside the post.
Please read our privacy notice for full details on what happens to your personal information.
A summary of this privacy notice is available in BSL.
Interests
- HSCS
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