Strengthening your
university wellbeing service

NHS England is considering capping the amount of money its Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) spend on elective services. This includes neurodevelopmental (ND) assessments through Right to Choose. The consultation proposes tighter financial controls by effectively limiting the number of assessments each provider can complete. It is important to remember that the proposed changes are still at consultation stage and that no decisions have yet been made. We will continue to update our clients via email and on our website as further information becomes available.

The initial consultation period ends on 28th of February. The consultation period may be extended if more than 66% of Providers (NHS Trusts, ICBs and private providers) object. There is currently no set date by when the outcome of the consultation must be published. However, if there is to be a change to payment limits, ICBs must notify providers of these changes before 30th of April, 2025.

For more information, click here.

We are currently continuing assessments and the provision of post-diagnostic services for all clients who have already been referred to us. Should this change, we will update our Right to Choose clients via email and on our website.

Yes. ProblemShared is still accepting referrals under the Right to Choose and will continue to do so until the outcome of the consultation is announced.

Yes. All clients who have been referred through Right to Choose have access to our post-diagnostic psychoeducation sessions.

No. It is not possible to swap one client for another and maintain your position on the waitlist.

Yes, we are.

We continue to work in the manner we always have. Once a client has been referred, and they have filled out their pre-assessment questionnaires, they will be informed that they have been added to our waitlist.

We’ve broken down our ADHD assessment process into steps to make it a bit easier to understand. Here's what you can expect from your journey.  

1. Enrolment

First, you need to be referred to our service by your GP. Once this has happened, you will be sent some digital forms to complete before the assessment can take place.

Ahead of your ADHD assessment, a form will also be sent to your nominated 'informant'. An informant is a person appointed by you who knows you very well. Your informant should be able to describe any potential signs of ADHD that you displayed in your early years, or that you display currently, and how this impacts your functioning.  

These digital forms are designed to provide your clinician with contextual information about any challenges you may be facing, enabling them to spend more time discussing what is important to you during your actual assessment.  

Once you have submitted these completed forms to us, you will be added to our wait list for an assessment. Please note that we cannot add you to our wait list until all pre-assessment forms have been received.

2. Assessment

ADHD Assessment & Informant Interview (60-120 mins) - these are two separate interviews. The diagnostic outcome follows in a separate meeting.

3. Report

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you will receive a detailed written report complete with recommendations, resources, and information about the next steps.

4. Post-diagnostic care

After completing your online assessment, you will receive your diagnosis and will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options.

ProblemShared can deliver post-diagnostic care to our clients who are diagnosed with ADHD if these services are supported by their NHS service, university, or insurance provider.

You can access services at ProblemShared from the age of 7 years.

We’ve broken down our autism assessment process into steps to make it easier to understand. Here's what you can expect from your journey.

1. Enrolment

First, you need to be referred to our service by your GP. Once this has happened, you will be sent some digital forms to complete before the assessment can take place.

Ahead of your autism assessment, a form will also be sent to you to give to your nominated 'informant'. An informant is a person appointed by you who knows you very well. Your informant should be able to describe any potential signs of autism that you displayed in your early years, or that you display currently, and how this impacts your functioning.  

These digital forms are designed to provide your clinician with contextual information about any challenges you may be facing, enabling them to spend more time discussing what is important to you during your actual assessment.  

Once you have submitted these completed forms to us, you will be added to our wait list for an assessment. Please note that we cannot add you to our wait list until all pre-assessment forms have been received.

2. Assessment

Autism Assessment & Informant Interview (60-120180 mins) - these are two separate interviews. The diagnostic outcome follows in a separate meeting.

3. Report

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you will receive a detailed written report complete with recommendations, resources and information about the next steps.

4. Post-diagnostic care

After completing your online assessment, you will receive your diagnosis and will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options.

ProblemShared can deliver post-diagnostic care to our clients who are diagnosed as autistic if these services are supported by their NHS service, university, or insurance provider.

You can access services at ProblemShared from the age of 7 years.

The whole assessment process can vary in duration from client to client, but typically it lasts between 2 and 4 months, from your Initial Needs Assessment all the way through to receiving your diagnostic report.

Your Initial Needs Assessment will take place within 14 days of your acceptance into the service, but typically this happens within 5 days.

Before your assessment can take place, there are several digital forms that you need to complete. The forms should be filled out by the individual seeking a diagnosis, as well as other people relevant to the assessment process. These people include an appointed individual known as an 'informant', who can provide further information to clinicians that will contribute to an assessment outcome, or in the case of children, their teacher or school representative.

There are many helpful resources to guide you through the process, including support articles and videos that explain how to complete your digital forms, who to choose as your informant, and how to navigate your assessment sessions with confidence.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which aim to provide a safe, structured environment to allow opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration.

We want to provide the tools to those with ADHD and autism to understand their own identity and be able to process their emotional response to their diagnosis.

The sessions are grouped, with 8-10 people per group, and cover a variety of topics each and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting which we provide for the client.

ProblemShared does not currently offer self-pay. We are, however, developing a self-pay service for clients and will provide more information on this as soon as we are able.

No. All of the information that we have available is detailed in the FAQs.

The whole assessment process can vary in duration from client to client, but typically it lasts between 2 and 4 months, from your enrolment into our service all the way through to receiving your diagnostic report.

Before your ADHD assessment can take place, there are several digital forms that you need to complete. The forms should be filled out by the individual seeking a diagnosis and other people relevant to the assessment process. These people include an appointed individual known as an 'informant', who can provide further information to clinicians that will contribute to an assessment outcome.

There are many helpful resources to guide you through the process, including support articles and videos that explain how to complete your digital forms, who to choose as your informant, and how to navigate your assessment sessions with confidence.

We do not currently offer neurodevelopmental assessments for children below the age of 7. It is our responsibility to ensure safe and comfortable environments for our clients and practitioners, and to ensure we deliver accurate assessments that clients can trust.  

For autism assessments, research has shown that children under the age of 7 respond more effectively to play-based autism observation assessments, which cannot practically be hosted online.

With this in mind, and in the interest of creating comfortable environments for our clients and giving their practitioners the best chance of producing an accurate diagnosis, we do not offer online assessments for children under the age of 7.

To be eligible for our service you must have access to an internet connection in a private place.

You must also have access to a laptop or computer with a working webcam, and be willing to have your camera on for the duration of your assessment sessions.

Please note that a tablet which is at least 10” in size and can be propped up and used hands-free can also be used to access the service, but handheld devices such as mobile phones cannot. This is because our clinicians need to see enough of your face and torso throughout the assessment in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, a mobile phone screen does not facilitate this effectively. Furthermore, notifications pinging through on a mobile phone can be distracting and interrupt the assessment.

We do not currently offer neurodevelopmental assessments for children below the age of 7. It is our responsibility to ensure safe and comfortable environments for our clients and practitioners, and to ensure we deliver accurate assessments that clients can trust.  

Accurately diagnosing children under the age of 7 with ADHD through remote assessments is incredibly challenging, as symptoms of ADHD can be difficult to distinguish from normal developmental behaviours in very young children.

With this in mind, and in the interest of creating comfortable environments for our clients and giving their practitioners the best chance of producing an accurate diagnosis, we do not offer online assessments for children under the age of 7.

The Initial Needs Assessment takes 45 minutes. This initial call is an opportunity for you to meet with a ProblemShared clinician, who will understand your needs, answer any questions you might have at this stage, and explain how the assessment process will work.

Once your Initial Needs Assessment has happened, your actual assessment can take place. This is much longer in duration. It involves the completion of several digital forms and several online sessions with a highly qualified ProblemShared assessor.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which aim to provide a safe, structured environment to allow opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration.

We want to provide the tools to those with ADHD and autism to understand their own identity and be able to process their emotional response to their diagnosis.

The sessions are grouped, with 8-10 people per group, and cover a variety of topics each and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting which we provide for the client.

To be eligible for our service you must have access to an internet connection in a private place.

You must also have access to a laptop or computer with a working webcam, and be willing to have your camera on for the duration of your assessment sessions.

Please note that a tablet which is at least 10” in size and can be propped up and used hands-free can also be used to access the service, but handheld devices such as mobile phones cannot. This is because our clinicians need to see enough of your face and torso throughout the assessment in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, a mobile phone screen does not facilitate this effectively. Furthermore, notifications pinging through on a mobile phone can be distracting and interrupt the assessment.

We’ve broken down our autism assessment process into steps to make it a bit easier to understand. Here's what you can expect from your journey.

1. Enrolment

First, you/your child need to be referred to our service by your GP. Once this has happened, the individual seeking an assessment (or the parent/caregiver of children and young people) will be sent some digital forms to complete before the assessment can take place. In the case of assessments for children, their education provider (school, college etc.) will also need to complete a digital form known as a Neurodevelopmental School Feedback Questionnaire.

Ahead of your/your child’s autism assessment, a form will also be sent to your nominated 'informant'. An informant is a person appointed by you who knows you/your child very well. Your informant should be able to describe any potential signs of autism that you displayed in your early years, or that you display currently, and how this impacts your functioning. In a child or young person’s case, the informant can be their parent/caregiver.

These digital forms are designed to provide your clinician with contextual information about any challenges you may be facing, enabling them to spend more time discussing what is important to you during your actual assessment.

Once you have submitted these completed forms to us, you will be added to our wait list for an assessment. Please note that we cannot add you to our wait list until all pre-assessment forms have been received.

2. Assessment

Autism Assessment & Informant Interview (60-120 mins) - these are two separate interviews, or in the case of a child or young person being assessed, there will be the assessment with the child or young person , and then the informant interview without the child or young person. The diagnostic outcome follows in a separate meeting.

3. Report

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you will receive a detailed written report complete with recommendations, resources and information about next steps.

4. Post-diagnostic care
Following the completion of your online assessment, you will receive your diagnosis, and you will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options.

ProblemShared can deliver post-diagnostic care to our clients who are diagnosed as autistic if these services are supported by their NHS service, university, or insurance provider.

If you require accessibility support, please reach out to a member of our team explaining the nature of your requirements. We endeavour to make our service as inclusive as possible, and will do everything in our power to ensure you feel confident and comfortable throughout your journey.

We’ve broken down our ADHD assessment process into steps to make it a bit easier to understand. Here's what you can expect from your journey.

1. Enrolment

First, you/your child need to be referred to our service by your GP. Once this has happened, the individual seeking an assessment (or the parent/caregiver of children and young people) will be sent some digital forms to complete before the assessment can take place. In the case of assessments for children, their education provider (school, college etc.) will also need to complete some digital forms.

These digital forms are designed to provide your clinician with contextual information about any challenges you may be facing, enabling them to spend more time discussing what is important to you during your actual assessment.

Once you have submitted these completed forms to us, you will be added to our wait list for an assessment. Please note that we cannot add you to our wait list until all pre-assessment forms have been received.

2. Assessment

ADHD Assessment (60-120 mins) -  In the assessment session, one of our clinicians will meet with you/your child and a parent or guardian where appropriate. The diagnostic outcome will be given on the same day if possible.

3. Report

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you will receive a detailed written report complete with recommendations, resources, and information about next steps.

4. Post-diagnostic care
Following the completion of your online assessment, you will receive your diagnosis, and you will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options.

ProblemShared can deliver post-diagnostic care to our clients who are diagnosed with ADHD, if these services are supported by their NHS service, university, or insurance provider.

ProblemShared aim to give you the outcome of your assessment either at the end of your assessment, or later on the same day.

In some more complex cases, this is not possible. If this applies to you, your clinician will explain the reasoning to you, and a further follow-up call will be made to give you the outcome at another time.

Within 4-6 weeks of your having your assessment, you will receive your full diagnostic report, which will clearly show the reasons for our decision about a diagnosis or non-diagnosis. You will also be given some recommendations for support.

If 6 weeks have passed and you have not received your report, please contact help@problemshared.net.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which aim to provide a safe, structured environment to allow opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration.

We want to provide the tools to those with ADHD and autism to understand their own identity and be able to process their emotional response to their diagnosis.

The sessions are grouped, with 8-10 people per group, and cover a variety of topics each and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting which we provide for the client.

Your clinician will aim to give you the outcome of your assessment either at the end of your assessment, or later the same day.  

In some more complex cases, this is not possible. If this applies to you, your clinician will explain the reasoning to you, and a further follow-up call will be made to give you the outcome at another time.  

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you will receive your full diagnostic report, which will clearly show the reasons for our decision about a diagnosis or non-diagnosis. You will also be given some recommendations for support.  

If 6 weeks have passed and you have not received your report, please contact help@problemshared.net.

The whole assessment process can vary in duration from client to client, but typically it lasts between 2 and 4 months, from your enrolment into our service all the way through to receiving your diagnostic report.

Before your/your child’s autism assessment can take place, there are several digital forms that you need to complete. The forms should be filled out by the individual seeking a diagnosis and other people relevant to the assessment process. These people include an appointed individual known as an 'informant', who can provide further information to clinicians that will contribute to an assessment outcome, or in the case of children, their teacher or school representative.

There are many helpful resources to guide you/your child through the process, including support articles and videos that explain how to complete your digital forms, who to choose as your informant, and how to navigate your assessment sessions with confidence.

The whole assessment process can vary in duration from client to client, but typically it lasts between 2 and 4 months, from your enrolment into our service all the way through to receiving your diagnostic report.

Before your autism assessment can take place, there are several digital forms that you need to complete. The forms should be filled out by the individual seeking a diagnosis and other people relevant to the assessment process. These people include an appointed individual known as an 'informant', who can provide further information to clinicians that will contribute to an assessment outcome.

There are many helpful resources to guide you through the process, including support articles and videos that explain how to complete your digital forms, who to choose as your informant, and how to navigate your assessment sessions with confidence.

The whole assessment process can vary in duration from client to client, but typically it lasts between 2 and 4 months, from your enrolment into our service all the way through to receiving your diagnostic report.

Before your/your child’s ADHD assessment can take place, there are several digital forms that you need to complete. The forms should be filled out by the individual seeking a diagnosis and other people relevant to the assessment process. These people include an appointed individual known as an 'informant', who can provide further information to clinicians that will contribute to an assessment outcome, or in the case of children, their teacher or school representative.

There are many helpful resources to guide you/your child through the process, including support articles and videos that explain how to complete your digital forms, who to choose as your informant, and how to navigate your assessment sessions with confidence.

A GP must make the initial referral in order for you to be accepted into the Neurodevelopmental Assessments and Support service. This can be from your own NHS GP.

If you are seeking an ADHD assessment, involving your NHS GP is important if you decide to opt in to the medication service as a means of support. This is so that your GP can perform any required physical health checks prior to medication (for children and young people) and also take over prescribing your future prescriptions once your medication has stabilised - a process known as 'shared care'.

In the event that your GP refuses to accept shared care, you will be given the option to self-fund ongoing prescribing and medication costs and will be made aware of the financial implications at this stage.

Please note that the cost of outpatient drugs isn't usually paid for by an AXA Health private medical scheme. If you or your family member is referred to the medication service, you may have to pay for the prescription charges yourself.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which aim to provide a safe, structured environment to allow opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration.

We want to provide the tools to those with ADHD and autism to understand their own identity and be able to process their emotional response to their diagnosis.

The sessions are grouped, with 8-10 people per group, and cover a variety of topics each and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting which we provide for the client.

Your clinician will aim to give you the outcome of your assessment either at the end of your assessment, or later the same day.  

In some more complex cases, this is not possible. If this applies to you, your clinician will explain the reasoning to you, and a further follow-up call will be made to give you the outcome at another time.  

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you will receive your full diagnostic report, which will clearly show the reasons for our decision about a diagnosis or non-diagnosis. You will also be given some recommendations for support.  

If 6 weeks have passed and you have not received your report, please contact help@problemshared.net.

To be eligible for our service you must have access to an internet connection in a private place.

You must also have access to a laptop or computer with a working webcam, and be willing to have your camera on for the duration of your assessment sessions.

Please note that a tablet which is at least 10” in size and can be propped up and used hands-free can also be used to access the service, but handheld devices such as mobile phones cannot. This is because our clinicians need to see enough of your face and torso throughout the assessment in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, a mobile phone screen does not facilitate this effectively. Furthermore, notifications pinging through on a mobile phone can be distracting and interrupt the assessment.

As part of our pre-assessment process, we look at any pre-existing conditions a client might have and ensure that these would not impact our ability to assess for autism in an online environment.  

If at any point during the assessment the clinician feels that there may be other explanations for behaviours reported or observed, this would be taken to a multi-disciplinary meeting, and a plan would be formulated about the required next steps before a diagnosis would be given.

To be eligible for our service you must have access to an internet connection in a private place.

You must also have access to a laptop or computer with a working webcam, and be willing to have your camera on for the duration of your assessment sessions.

Please note that a tablet which is at least 10” in size and can be propped up and used hands-free can also be used to access the service, but handheld devices such as mobile phones cannot. This is because our clinicians need to see enough of your face and torso throughout the assessment in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, a mobile phone screen does not facilitate this effectively. Furthermore, notifications pinging through on a mobile phone can be distracting and interrupt the assessment.

If the Initial Needs Assessment determines that you don’t require further assessment for a neurodevelopmental condition, you will be advised by the AXA Health Clinical Support Team of the next steps on an individual basis.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which aim to provide a safe, structured environment to allow opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration.

We want to provide the tools to those with ADHD and autism to understand their own identity and be able to process their emotional response to their diagnosis.

The sessions are grouped, with 8-10 people per group, and cover a variety of topics each and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting which we provide for the client.

After completing your online assessment, you will receive your diagnosis and will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options.

For clients who receive an ADHD diagnosis, we offer psychoeducation group sessions as our post-diagnostic support. Our psychoeducation group sessions are a safe space where you can learn about your diagnosis and what it means for you, in the company of experienced practitioners and other newly diagnosed individuals embarking on a similar journey.

If you require additional mental health support at any stage of your journey, you will be eligible to be referred to the ProblemShared talk therapy service.

If you require accessibility support, please reach out to a member of our team explaining the nature of your requirements. We endeavour to make our service as inclusive as possible, and will do everything in our power to ensure you feel confident and comfortable throughout your journey.

Your clinician will aim to give you the outcome of your assessment either at the end of your assessment, or later the same day.  

In some more complex cases, this is not possible. If this applies to you, your clinician will explain the reasoning to you, and a further follow-up call will be made to give you the outcome at another time.  

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you will receive your full diagnostic report, which will clearly show the reasons for our decision about a diagnosis or non-diagnosis. You will also be given some recommendations for support.  

If 6 weeks have passed and you have not received your report, please contact help@problemshared.net.

If you require accessibility support, please reach out to a member of our team explaining the nature of your requirements. We endeavour to make our service as inclusive as possible, and will do everything in our power to ensure you feel confident and comfortable throughout your journey.

It is possible for AXA Health members to complete the part of their pathway that they have already started at the point that their policy lapses, on a self-pay basis. Please note that the self-pay option is to facilitate the completion of partial pathways only. It is not possible for AXA Health members to start another part of their pathway on a self-pay basis.

If you choose not to self-pay, you can explore the Right to Choose homepage on the ProblemShared website. Here, you can learn about the process of accessing ProblemShared neurodevelopmental assessments and support through the NHS Right to Choose scheme. Please note that this would involve attaining a new referral from your GP.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which aim to provide a safe, structured environment to allow opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration.

We want to provide the tools to those with ADHD and autism to understand their own identity and be able to process their emotional response to their diagnosis.

The sessions are grouped, with 8-10 people per group, and cover a variety of topics each and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting which we provide for the client.

If you are diagnosed with ADHD following your assessment, one option that can be very useful is medication. If you choose to trial medication, our team of expert prescribers will discuss medication options with you.

We understand that it can be overwhelming when considering medication, and this why your prescribing team will work closely with you to monitor your progress. They will be on hand to help facilitate your goals, find the best treatment available for your situation, and work with you to solve any issues that may arise throughout the process.

Please visit our ADHD Medication page for more information.

If you are 16 years old and do not wish for your parent or caregiver to be present or play a part in your assessment process, we would need to assess your capacity to make decisions regarding your care for yourself.  

If you are deemed to be Gillick competent, we would be able to proceed without your parent or caregiver's involvement.

However, we would always encourage you to discuss your healthcare with your parent or caregiver and involve them where possible.

Please be aware that we ask for an informant to provide additional information as part of the assessment process, and this is usually a parent or caregiver with specific knowledge of your early years and development. Not having this information may mean that it is not possible to conclude your assessment.

After completing your online assessment, you will receive your diagnosis and will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options.

For clients who receive an autism diagnosis, we offer psychoeducation group sessions as our post-diagnostic support. Our psychoeducation group sessions are a safe space where you can learn about your diagnosis and what it means for you, in the company of experienced practitioners and other newly diagnosed individuals embarking on a similar journey.

If you are 16 years old and do not wish for your parent or caregiver to be present or play a part in your assessment process, we would need to assess your capacity to make decisions regarding your care for yourself.  

If you are deemed to be Gillick competent, we would be able to proceed without your parent or caregiver's involvement.

However, in this case we would still wish to speak with someone who knows you well in order to gain some contextual information ahead of your assessment.

Please be aware that we ask for an informant to provide additional information as part of the assessment process, and this is usually a parent or caregiver with specific knowledge of your early years and development. Not having this information may mean that it is not possible to conclude your assessment.

This benefit is only available to those enrolled on your company's AXA Health scheme. Eligibility and enrolment onto your company's healthcare scheme will be coordinated by your employer.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which aim to provide a safe, structured environment to allow opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration.

We want to provide the tools to those with ADHD and autism to understand their own identity and be able to process their emotional response to their diagnosis.

The sessions are grouped, with 8-10 people per group, and cover a variety of topics each and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting which we provide for the client.

ProblemShared aims to provide the tools to those who are newly diagnosed with ADHD to understand their own identity and navigate life following a diagnosis.

Our psychoeducation groups are part of your post-diagnostic support, and are an opportunity to process your emotional response to your diagnosis in a safe, structured environment.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which allow the opportunity for reflection, discussion and collaboration.

The sessions are grouped by age (parents of children aged 7-12 years, parents of adolescents aged 13-17 years, adults aged 18+), with 8-10 people per group. They cover various topics and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting to trusted sources of further information.

'Gillick competence' refers to a young person under the age of 16 with the capacity and maturity to make any relevant decision, particularly regarding medical treatment.  

Children who are 16 years old and over can be expected to have capacity to consent to treatment. Children who are younger than this may be mature enough to decide for themselves and not want their parents involved, which will require us to consider whether they are Gillick competent.

ProblemShared aims to provide the tools to those who are newly diagnosed with autism to understand their own identity and navigate life following a diagnosis.

Our psychoeducation groups are part of your post-diagnostic support, and are an opportunity to process your emotional response to your diagnosis in a safe, structured environment.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which allow the opportunity for reflection, discussion and collaboration.

The sessions are grouped by age (parents of children aged 7-12 years, parents of adolescents aged 13-17 years, adults aged 18+), with 8-10 people per group. They cover various topics and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting to trusted sources of further information.

'Gillick competence' refers to a young person under the age of 16 with the capacity and maturity to make any relevant decision, particularly regarding medical treatment.  

Children who are 16 years old and over can be expected to have capacity to consent to treatment. Children who are younger than this may be mature enough to decide for themselves and not want their parents involved, which will require us to consider whether they are Gillick competent.

ProblemShared is experienced in writing reports and making recommendations in a format that is accepted by local education authorities and NHS GPs. We cannot universally guarantee acceptance by every entity because local requirements may differ.

We are aware of low acceptance rates in Northern Ireland for all assessments, with no acceptance of young people's autism diagnoses.

However, the prescribing teams within ProblemShared's medication service will work with GPs as needed to facilitate shared care.

Furthermore, the aim of the education navigator service for children 7 to 19 years old, as well as higher education students up to the age of 22, is to provide guidance on how to engage your local school/education authority, so members will be assisted with this.

SpLD assessments, like dyslexia, are carried out by professionals with Assessment Practising Certificates, which means they are accepted by a wide range of institutions, including universities and professional bodies.

Yes. There are many helpful articles and videos available in the Resources section of your client dashboard, and on the ProblemShared website, to support you ahead of your assessment.

As part of our pre-assessment process, we look at any pre-existing conditions a client might have and ensure that these would not impact our ability to assess for autism in an online environment.  

If at any point during the assessment the clinician feels that there may be other explanations for behaviours reported or observed, this would be taken to a multi-disciplinary meeting, and a plan would be formulated about the required next steps before a diagnosis would be given.

Yes. There are many helpful articles and videos available in the Resources section of your client dashboard, and on the ProblemShared website, to support you ahead of your assessment.

Your clinician may be able to tell you/your child the result of your assessment within the same day. In some more complex cases, this is not possible. If this applies to you, your clinician will explain the reasoning to you, and a further follow-up call will be made to give you the outcome at another time.  Occasionally we may require further information in order to provide the outcome of the assessment.

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you/your child will receive your full diagnostic report, which will clearly show the reasons for our decision about a diagnosis or non-diagnosis. You will also be given some recommendations for support.

If 6 weeks have passed and you have not received your report, please contact help@problemshared.net.

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We would suggest you don’t cancel your NHS arrangements until you have spoken to AXA Health or ProblemShared.

You will receive an email with the details of your assessment sessions, including the date and time of each one, and the necessary links to meet your clinician online. You will also be able to see the details of each upcoming assessment session on your ProblemShared client dashboard.

Your clinician will aim to give you/your child the outcome of your assessment either at the end of your assessment, or later the same day.

In some more complex cases, this is not possible. If this applies to you/your child, your clinician will explain the reasoning to you, and a further follow-up call will be made to give you the outcome at another time.

Within 4-6 weeks of your assessment, you/your child will receive your full diagnostic report, which will clearly show the reasons for our decision about a diagnosis or non-diagnosis. You will also be given some recommendations for support.

If 6 weeks have passed and you have not received your report, please contact help@problemshared.net.

You will receive an email with the details of your assessment sessions, including the date and time of each one, and the necessary links to meet your clinician online. You will also be able to see the details of each upcoming assessment session on your ProblemShared client dashboard.

After completing your online assessment, you/your child will receive your diagnosis and will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options, including our psychoeducation group sessions and our Education Navigation programme.

Our psychoeducation group sessions are a safe space where parents can learn about their child's diagnosis and what it means for them, in the company of experienced practitioners and other parents embarking on a similar journey. We do not currently offer psychoeducation sessions for child-age clients.

Clients between the ages of 7 to 19 years old, as well as higher education students up to the age of 22, can access our Education Navigation support program, if they are not also in full-time employment. The program is designed to optimise the learning experience within your or your child’s educational setting, and identify support options in your local area.

If you require additional mental health support at any stage of your journey, you/your child will be eligible to be referred to the ProblemShared talk therapy service.

Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) & Atomoxetine (Strattera). There is no known end date.

Our counsellors are all members of regulatory bodies and follow best practice guidelines set by those regulatory bodies. Further, we ask them to adhere to a code of conduct drawn from the requirements of professional psychotherapy bodies and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

After completing your online assessment, you/your child will receive your diagnosis and will be invited to consider your post-diagnostic support options, including our psychoeducation group sessions and our Education Navigation programme.

Our psychoeducation group sessions are a safe space where parents can learn about their child's diagnosis and what it means for them, in the company of experienced practitioners and other parents embarking on a similar journey. We do not currently offer psychoeducation sessions for child-age clients.

Clients between the ages of 7 to 19 years old, as well as higher education students up to the age of 22, can access our Education Navigation support program, if they are not also in full-time employment. The program is designed to optimise the learning experience within your or your child’s educational setting, and identify support options in your local area.

If you require additional mental health support at any stage of your journey, you/your child will be eligible to be referred to the ProblemShared talk therapy service.

If you are diagnosed with ADHD following your assessment, one option that can be very useful is medication. If you choose to trial medication, our team of expert prescribers will discuss medication options with you.

We understand that it can be overwhelming when considering medication, and this why your prescribing team will work closely with you to monitor your progress. They will be on hand to help facilitate your goals, find the best treatment available for your situation, and work with you to solve any issues that may arise throughout the process.

Please visit our ADHD Medication page for more information.

At your next review appointment, your prescriber will discuss with you alternate non-pharmacological options available to you, and help you think about your ongoing treatment. We are monitoring the supply situation daily, and you will receive regular email communication from us. You will be notified as soon as we are able to start prescribing again, and a new appointment will be arranged. We understand that many of you rely on these medications as a crucial part of your treatment, and that this news is likely to be disruptive and distressing. As you may be aware, ADHD medication is robustly regulated, and as a responsible care provider we are currently not prescribing until reliable medication supplies can be achieved. Please be assured that we are doing all we can within this framework to support you in accessing ongoing treatment for your ADHD.

Our counsellors are all members of regulatory bodies and follow best practice guidelines set by those regulatory bodies. Further, we ask them to adhere to a code of conduct drawn from the requirements of professional psychotherapy bodies and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

ProblemShared aims to provide the tools to those who are newly diagnosed with autism to understand their own identity and navigate life following a diagnosis.

Our psychoeducation groups are part of your post-diagnostic support, and are an opportunity to process your emotional response to your diagnosis in a safe, structured environment.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which allow the opportunity for reflection, discussion and collaboration.

The sessions are grouped by age (parents of children aged 7-12 years, parents of adolescents aged 13-17 years, adults aged 18+), with 8-10 people per group. They cover various topics and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting to trusted sources of further information. We do not currently offer psychoeducation sessions for child-age clients.

ProblemShared aims to provide the tools to those who are newly diagnosed with ADHD to understand their own identity and navigate life following a diagnosis.

Our psychoeducation groups are part of your post-diagnostic support, and are an opportunity to process your emotional response to your diagnosis in a safe, structured environment.

There are 4 weekly 90-minute sessions which allow the opportunity for reflection, discussion and collaboration.

The sessions are grouped by age (parents of children aged 7-12 years, parents of adolescents aged 13-17 years, adults aged 18+), with 8-10 people per group. They cover various topics and are supplemented with other materials, such as webinars, reading materials and signposting to trusted sources of further information. We do not currently offer psychoeducation sessions for child-age clients.

It is common practice for pharmacies to only hold a limited stock of any one type of medication, so we initially had no reason to believe this was to become a broader issue. Supply issues have gradually worsened since mid-August, and now there are severe shortages of multiple dosages of medication.

Yes. There are many helpful articles and videos available in the Resources section of your client dashboard, and on the ProblemShared website, to support you ahead of your/your child’s assessment.

Yes. There are many helpful articles and videos available in the Resources section of your client dashboard, and on the ProblemShared website, to support you ahead of your/your child’s assessment.

ADHD pharma companies are currently having challenges with maintaining the required supply of ADHD medication. ADHD services and pharmacies globally are experiencing a significant shortage of all ADHD medications.

The medications with the most impact are:

Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) & Atomoxetine (Strattera).

You will receive an email with the details of your/your child’s assessment sessions, including the date and time of each one, and the necessary links to meet your clinician online. You will also be able to see the details of each upcoming assessment session on your ProblemShared client dashboard.

You will receive an email with the details of your/your child’s assessment sessions, including the date and time of each one, and the necessary links to meet your clinician online. You will also be able to see the details of each upcoming assessment session on your ProblemShared client dashboard.

We have been informed by the producers of Lisdexamfetamine that there will be some supply available by mid-November 2023. However, as the global shortage is continuing with no known end date, we will continue not to prescribe ADHD medications until we can be sure that the supply issue has been resolved and that your treatment will not be affected.

ProblemShared have made the difficult decision not to prescribe ADHD medications during this time of medication supply uncertainty, for which we have no known end date.

ProblemShared is aware this decision is likely to be disruptive and distressing for clients. However, ADHD medication is robustly regulated, and as a responsible care provider we are currently not prescribing until reliable medication supplies can be achieved.

We are monitoring the supply situation daily, and in the meantime, our prescribing team are in the process of contacting all clients affected. If your child has a review appointment booked with ProblemShared, this appointment will continue, and your prescriber will discuss with you and your child alternate non-pharmacological options available to you and help you think about your child’s ongoing treatment.

We would additionally advise you to keep your child’s school informed as they may also be able to monitor your child’s behaviour and symptoms in school.

Yes, you will still be able to have an ADHD assessment, and if you receive a positive diagnosis and would like to discuss medication treatment, you will still be able to have a treatment planning session with our prescribing team to discuss your current treatment options. However, please be aware that in accordance with recent government guidelines, we will not be prescribing new clients with medication until the medication supply is rectified.

Treatment planning sessions will continue to go ahead so you can discuss with a prescriber the treatment options that are available to you. However, please be aware that in accordance with recent government guidelines, we will not be prescribing new clients with medication until the medication supply is rectified.

Treatment planning sessions will continue to go ahead so you can discuss with a prescriber the treatment options that are available to you. However, please be aware that in accordance with recent government guidelines, we will not be prescribing new clients with medication until the medication supply is rectified.

You will have received correspondence from ProblemShared regarding our decision not to prescribe any ADHD medications during this time of supply shortage.

ProblemShared is aware this decision is likely to be disruptive and distressing for clients. However, ADHD medication is robustly regulated, and as a responsible care provider we are currently not prescribing until reliable medication supplies can be achieved.

At your next review appointment, your prescriber will discuss with you alternate non-pharmacological options available to you and help you think about your ongoing treatment.

Email enquiries to: adhdmedication@problemshared.net

ProblemShared was founded to evolve and advance the provision of mind healthcare. We are a community of experienced practitioners and passionate advocates for better access to the highest quality neurodevelopmental and mental health support. By combining the power of tech, data, and clinical excellence, we provide personalised care to better equip individuals and institutions in their mind health journey. 

If you are currently in shared care with your G.P. prescribing for you, or your shared care request gets accepted, your G.P. may decide to keep issuing you with prescriptions. However, if the medication you are on is unavailable, your G.P. will not be able to change you to an alternate medication, and your G.P. will need to seek advice from ProblemShared.

Your G.P. will be informed that we will not be holding any reviews to make alterations to medications until the current stock supply issues are resolved.

ProblemShared is aware this decision is likely to be disruptive and distressing for clients. However, ADHD medication is robustly regulated, and as a responsible care provider we are currently not prescribing until reliable medication supplies can be achieved.

ProblemShared is an online mind health platform. We provide access to the highest quality care for individuals and institutions seeking mental healthcare services or neurodevelopmental assessments and support.

We offer online assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. Our post-diagnostic care service includes psychoeducation groups, educational navigation, talk therapy, and the prescribing of ADHD medication where appropriate.

We are not able to offer treatment in severe or life-threatening situations. If you think you are at risk of harm or at risk of harming others, you should look at the resources available on our IN CASE OF EMERGENCY page, call 999 or go immediately to your local Accident and Emergency department.

We work in partnership with institutions such as the NHS, insurance companies and universities to deliver NICE-informed therapy, neurodevelopmental assessments and post-diagnostic care for adults, children and young people.

ProblemShared is a fully online mind healthcare provider, and does not offer any in-person appointments. If you believe an in-person service would suit you better, you should contact your GP and request a referral to an appropriate provider.

If any of the following statements apply to you, you or your child are not suitable for an online assessment at this time, and should speak to your GP about accessing face-to-face care that better meets your needs:

You/your child are below the age of 7 years old

You/your child are non-verbal and/or selectively mute

You/your child are unable to communicate at conversational level in English

You/your child have a diagnosis of global development delay or an intellectual disability (IQ below 70)

You/your child have a significant visual or hearing impairment which means that you/your child are unable to access online assessments 

You/your child are currently psychotic or have recently experienced a psychotic episode (within 3 months)

You/your child are currently deemed to pose a risk to themselves or others and are not under care co-ordination with the local CMHT

You/your child are currently receiving treatment for an active eating disorder, or have been discharged within the last 6 months from a specialist eating disorder clinic

You/your child are currently receiving active medical treatment for drugs or alcohol addiction 

You/your child have had a head injury or brain surgery or have a neurological condition which has left you with significant cognitive impairments 

You/your child have previously been assessed by the NHS and are seeking a second opinion assessment

You/your child are currently serving a prison sentence, or are on temporary release

You/your child are undergoing a safeguarding investigation and cannot be seen until it has been concluded

You/your child are currently detained in a hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, or under a community treatment order

You/your child currently serve in the armed forces

You/your child do not have access to a laptop or computer (please note that a tablet which is at least 10” in size and can be propped up to be used hands-free can also be used to access our service, but handheld devices such as mobile phones cannot) 

You/your child do not have access to an internet connection in a private place 

You/your child are not willing to conduct the assessment with your camera turned on for the duration of the assessment

No, ProblemShared is a private mind healthcare company. However, we are partnered with many NHS trusts, work with psychiatrists and paediatricians who currently hold or have held consultant posts with the NHS, and our founder and CEO is a practising NHS doctor.

Our team of clinicians come from many different professional backgrounds and include nurses, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, paediatricians, social workers, speech and language therapists, and specialist teachers.

They are all highly qualified, accredited by their relevant professional bodies, and follow the codes of conduct drawn from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and for SpLD, the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC).

We are always in pursuit of inclusivity, and see language as a tool to demonstrate respect and understanding for a person’s lived experience. This is why we call ourselves a ‘mind health’ platform.

Neurodiversity is a word coined by sociologist Judy Singer. It refers to the natural diversity of human minds; the unique and varying ways in which human brains are wired, process information, and solve problems.

In this way, neurodiversity is something to celebrate. Mental health challenges may require a ‘solution’, but neurodivergence does not. While neurodivergent people may come to us seeking support with managing their neurodivergence, such as a diagnosis, medication, or counselling, the world needs to adapt to meet their needs – not the other way around.

The care we provide at ProblemShared involves both neurodevelopmental and mental health support. We recognise that these separate practices, when describing them together, require a completely new term.  

To be eligible for our service you must have access to an internet connection in a private place.

You must also have access to a laptop or computer with a working webcam, and be willing to have your camera on for the duration of your assessment sessions.

Please note that a tablet which is at least 10” in size and can be propped up and used hands-free can also be used to access the service, but handheld devices such as mobile phones cannot. This is because our clinicians need to see enough of your face and torso throughout the assessment in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, a mobile phone screen does not facilitate this effectively. Furthermore, notifications pinging through on a mobile phone can be distracting and interrupt the assessment.

For assessments for specific learning differences (SpLD), computer screens must be a minimum of 15” (38 cm) measured diagonally (according to SASC guidance). Headphones should also be used to enable clear audio.

We do not record any of our online sessions. What you say in your session is confidential and remains between you and your clinician. However, if our clinician has any concerns about risk or safeguarding, they may have to discuss the matter with their clinical supervisor, clinical team, or safeguarding lead in order ensure safety. Please note that phone calls with our customer service team are recorded.

If you require accessibility support, please reach out to a member of our team explaining the nature of your requirements. We endeavour to make our service as inclusive as possible, and will do everything in our power to ensure you feel confident and comfortable throughout your journey.

Our clinicians need to see enough of your face and torso throughout the assessment in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, a smartphone screen does not facilitate this effectively. Furthermore, notifications pinging through on a mobile phone can be distracting and interrupt the assessment. Only a laptop, computer, or tablet which is at least 10” in size (for autism and ADHD assessments) or 15\" in size (for SpLD) and can be propped up to be used hands-free can be used to access our service.

If you do not have access to any of these devices and are seeking an assessment on behalf of your child, it may be possible to complete the assessment at your child’s school and borrow a school laptop. However, this would be reliant on you asking the school, and checking that you can log onto your ProblemShared client dashboard prior to the session, to help prevent any security issues with firewalls.

Yes. There has been a lot of research into this question and although the majority of it comes from the US, it holds true for the UK as well.

The following resources should give you an idea of the efficacy of telemedicine and counselling when compared to more traditional consultation methods:
Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Wagner, B., Horn, A. and Maercker, A. (2019).

Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments for adult depression: a meta-analysis. – PubMed – NCBI. online Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Bergström, J., Andersson, G., Ljótsson, B., Rück, C., Andréewitch, S., Karlsson, A., Carlbring, P., Andersson, E. and Lindefors, N. (2019).

Internet-versus group-administered cognitive behaviour therapy for panic disorder in a psychiatric setting: a randomised trial. Epstein, R. (2019).

Distance Therapy Comes of Age. Scientific American.