Patient guide
After an ADHD or autism diagnosis: what to do next
A diagnosis can bring relief, grief, confusion or all three. The practical question of what to do next is not always answered by the assessment. This guide sets out sensible steps: understand the report, consider treatment, arrange support and look after yourself.
Last checked: 2026-10-03
Key facts
At a glance.
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Take time
Mixed feelings are common and normal, including relief, anger and sadness about earlier years.
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Read the report
Reports usually contain recommendations that can be used to request support.
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Treatment choices
Options may include medication for ADHD, psychological therapy, coaching and practical strategies.
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Telling others
You decide who to tell, when and how much to share.
Understand the report
Read the report carefully and ask the assessor to explain anything unclear. Note the diagnosis, the description of strengths and difficulties and the recommendations. Keep a copy somewhere safe, because you may need it for your GP, employer, university or benefits. If there are factual errors, ask for them to be corrected.
Consider treatment and support
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ADHD: discuss medication options, monitoring and shared care with your prescriber.
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Psychological support: therapies adapted for neurodivergent people may help with anxiety, depression and executive function.
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Coaching or occupational therapy for organisation, routines and sensory needs.
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Treatment for co-occurring conditions such as sleep problems, anxiety and depression.
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Peer support groups, online or in person.
Update your GP
Share the diagnosis and report with your GP so that it is recorded and so that appropriate adjustments and referrals can follow. If medication is recommended, confirm who will prescribe and monitor. Ask about annual health checks or support services that your practice offers.
Work and education
Consider whether to share your diagnosis with your employer or university. A report can support requests for reasonable adjustments, Access to Work or, for university students in England, Disabled Students' Allowance. Think about what support would help most and prepare specific requests. You may prefer to speak to occupational health or a disability adviser first.
Processing the diagnosis
Many adults reflect on earlier experiences and may feel anger, sadness or relief. It is normal to need time. Reading about others' experiences, joining a peer group or speaking with a therapist familiar with neurodiversity can help. If you feel very low or have thoughts of self-harm, contact your GP, NHS 111 or Samaritans on 116 123, or call 999 in an emergency.
Telling family and friends
You do not have to tell everyone. If you do, short, concrete explanations help, such as how things affect you and what helps. Some people share a short summary or a book or website with relatives. Family members may need time to adjust too.
A simple first-month plan
In the first weeks after a diagnosis, it can help to keep things small. Save a copy of the report, book a GP appointment to update your record, choose one or two practical changes to try, such as a shared calendar or a quieter workspace, and identify one source of support, whether a peer group, a coach or a therapist. Postpone big decisions such as leaving a job unless there is an urgent reason. Review in a month what has helped and what has not, and bring that to your next appointment with your GP or prescriber.
When the diagnosis was not what you expected
Some people are told they do not meet criteria, or receive a different diagnosis from the one they expected. That can feel like a setback. Ask the clinician to explain what they found, which difficulties are real regardless of a label and what support might still help, such as treatment for anxiety, sleep or sensory issues. You can ask your GP about a second opinion if you remain concerned, but it is often worth first reading the report carefully and discussing it with someone you trust.
Frequently asked
Questions people ask.
Quick, plain-English answers to the questions we hear most.
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Do I have to take medication for ADHD?
No. Medication is an option, not an obligation. Many people combine strategies with or without medicines.
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Will a diagnosis affect insurance?
Insurers may ask about conditions. Check policy terms and seek advice if you are unsure.
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Can I get benefits because of a diagnosis?
Benefits depend on the effect on daily living and mobility, not on the diagnosis alone.
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Should I tell my employer?
It is your choice. Sharing can make adjustments easier, but you can start with small requests.
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Will I get follow-up from the assessor?
It depends on the service. Ask what follow-up is included.
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Where can I find peer support?
National charities and local groups run online and in-person communities for people with ADHD and autism.
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What if I disagree with the diagnosis?
Ask for the reasoning and consider a second opinion.
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How do I explain it to my children?
Use simple, positive language and focus on how brains work differently. Charities provide age-appropriate resources.
Where this comes from
Sources and checking.
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP or consultant knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or come with red-flag features, seek urgent medical care. Figures and availability change, so treat them as a guide and confirm with the provider.
Published 2026-10-03, next review 2027-10-03.
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NICE guideline NG87, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (nice.org.uk)
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NICE guideline CG142, Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management (nice.org.uk)
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NHS website, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) pages (nhs.uk)
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NHS website, Autism pages (nhs.uk)