If your child has developmental delay, or you suspect autism or ADHD and need a medical assessment, a developmental paediatrician is the doctor who diagnoses and manages the whole picture. Skip the years-long NHS wait and find one near you.
Both are medical doctors who can diagnose and prescribe, but they come at a child’s needs from different angles.
A medical doctor specialising in child development. Diagnoses autism, ADHD, developmental delay and physical and neurological needs, and manages medication. Often the right route for younger children and complex developmental pictures.
A medical doctor specialising in mental health. Diagnoses and prescribes for ADHD, anxiety and related conditions. Browse psychiatrists
Many families see whichever can offer the soonest, most relevant assessment. Some clinics have both a paediatrician and a psychiatrist on the team.
In England, you have a legal right to choose which provider carries out many NHS referrals, including for autism and ADHD. That can mean an assessment, and where appropriate treatment, at no cost, often far faster than your local NHS service.
Private developmental and community paediatricians assess and diagnose autism, ADHD and developmental delay, manage ADHD medication, and support children with related physical and neurological needs. A good paediatrician explains the options clearly and gives you wording you can take to school, the local authority and your GP.
A developmental paediatrician focuses on a child’s overall development and physical health and is often the route for younger children and developmental delay; a child and adolescent psychiatrist focuses on mental health. Both are doctors who can diagnose and prescribe.
Yes. A GMC-registered paediatrician can diagnose ADHD and prescribe and manage medication, often setting up shared care with your GP, though GPs are not obliged to accept shared care.
Usually no. Most private paediatricians accept self-referrals. Bringing any previous reports, school information and your GP’s details helps the first appointment.
In England, NHS Right to Choose lets you pick your provider for many referrals, which can mean a much shorter wait at no cost. Our Right to Choose guide explains how to ask your GP.
Every listing shows current availability, so you can see who can take your child now, not in two years.
Jump straight to private developmental paediatricians and paediatric-led assessment clinics near you. Several also offer online appointments for families anywhere in the UK.