Choosing how to get an ADHD or autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming — and confusing. But the pathway you choose does not just affect how long you wait. It affects your child's support, medication access, and long-term outcomes.

In this episode, Dr Olivia Kessel is joined by Reemz — a member of the SEND Parenting community with direct experience working inside NHS CAMHS and supporting a family member through Right to Choose.

Together, they break down:

• The NHS CAMHS diagnostic pathway
• The Right to Choose pathway — what it really offers and where families get stuck
• Private assessments — benefits, risks, and hidden costs
• Why diagnosis is not a “label,” but a tool for understanding and support
• What parents need to know before starting any pathway

This episode is for parents who are:

• Unsure which route to take
• Already on a waiting list
• Worried about making the “wrong” decision
• Seeking clarity, not opinions

You are not failing.
 You are navigating a complex system — and knowledge changes everything.

🔗 Helpful Resources & Guidelines

As mentioned on Podcast Reemz has kindly shared two worksheets that you can print and use at home:

ASD Diagnostic criteria worksheet

ADHD Diagnostic criteria worksheet

Right to Choose (England)

Clear explanations of the process, providers, and current waiting times:
 👉 ADHD UK – Right to Choose Guide

📘 DSM Diagnostic Criteria

Understanding what clinicians are actually assessing can help you advocate more effectively.

• 👉ADHD Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5-TR)
   
  
  
• 👉Autism Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5-TR)
   

(These criteria explain why traits must be present across settings and over time.)

If this episode helped you, please share it with another parent who might be quietly stuck.
 And stay tuned — next week’s episode, “Shut the Fluff Up,” dives into how parent regulation changes everything when our children are dysregulated.

You are not alone. 

 You are doing the hardest job  ❤️ Dr Olivia

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Recharge Station — your space for group coaching, expert guidance, real connection, and the calm you deserve as you navigate this journey.

📩 Contact Me
If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at [email protected]
I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.