GP Refused an Autism Referral? Here’s What UK Parents Can Do Next
You have done your research, you have written down your concerns, you have taken them to your GP — and they have said no. A GP declining to refer for an autism assessment is one of the most common and most distressing experiences parents of autistic children describe. It leaves you feeling dismissed and unsure of where to turn.
The good news is that a refusal from one GP is not the end of the road. You have several options, and in many cases families are able to get an assessment moving without needing to fight a prolonged battle.
Why do GPs sometimes refuse an autism referral?
There are several reasons a GP might decline, and it is worth understanding which one applies to your situation:
- “I do not think your child is autistic.” GPs are not autism specialists, and their ability to assess the likelihood of autism in a brief consultation is limited. A GP declining on these grounds is making a clinical judgement they are not best placed to make.
- “The waiting list is so long it is not worth referring.” This is not an acceptable reason to refuse a referral. Waiting times are a service management issue, not a clinical reason to deny your child access to assessment.
- “We refer children through school, not through the GP surgery.” In some areas, the preferred pathway is via school, and your GP may simply be directing you to the right route rather than refusing outright.
- “Your child is coping well enough.” This often disproportionately affects autistic girls, who may mask their difficulties well in the GP appointment, and older children or teenagers who have developed coping strategies.
Step one: ask for a second opinion
You are entitled to see a different GP within the same practice. Make an appointment with another doctor and explain that you are seeking a second opinion on a referral request. Bring written evidence — notes from school, any reports from a previous SENCO or specialist, and a written summary of your specific concerns with concrete examples.
If a second GP within the same practice also refuses, you can request an urgent review with the practice manager, or register with a different GP practice entirely.
Step two: ask school to refer instead
In many NHS trusts, schools can submit referrals for autism assessment directly — either to CAMHS or to the community paediatrics team — without needing GP involvement. Ask your child’s SENCO whether this pathway is available in your area. If school has their own concerns, this is often the most effective route.
If school is not yet on board with your concerns, ask the SENCO to observe your child and document what they see. Schools have a statutory duty to identify and support children with SEND, so if you are asking them to look more carefully, they should be willing to do so.
Step three: contact SENDIASS
Your local SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) can advise you on your rights and help you put formal pressure on the right people. They can also help you draft a letter to the GP explaining why a referral is appropriate and what the consequences of continued refusal might be. This service is free and impartial — they are specifically there to help families navigate these situations.
Step four: make a formal complaint
If you have been refused unreasonably, you have the right to make a formal complaint through the GP practice’s complaint procedure, and thereafter to NHS England or the relevant ombudsman. This step is rarely necessary — most situations resolve before this point — but knowing you have this option is useful.
Document everything: dates of appointments, what was said, any written communications. A paper trail is important if a complaint becomes necessary.
Step five: go directly to CAMHS
In some areas, parents can self-refer directly to CAMHS or to the community paediatrics team without going through the GP at all. This varies by area — check the website of your local NHS trust or ask your SENDIASS to confirm what is available locally.
Step six: consider a private assessment
If NHS routes continue to be blocked, or if you need a report urgently for school or an EHCP application, a private assessment may be the most practical solution. You do not need a GP referral to access a private assessment. A private diagnosis from a suitably qualified clinician is recognised by schools and local authorities.
Read our guide on how much a private autism assessment costs in the UK and what the assessment process involves.
What about the NHS Right to Choose?
If your GP has referred you but to a provider with very long waits, you can exercise your Right to Choose to request a different NHS-approved provider. However, Right to Choose requires that a referral has already been made — it does not help if your GP has refused to refer at all. Read our guide on how the NHS Right to Choose scheme works.
A note on waiting whilst this is resolved
Whilst you are working through these steps, please remember that your child does not have to wait for a diagnosis to access support at school. Schools are required to support children with additional needs under their existing SEN support duty. Push for a SENCO meeting, ask what provision is in place, and request a review if it is not sufficient.
Our guide on what to do while waiting for an autism assessment has more practical suggestions for the interim period.
Find a private autism assessor near you
If you decide a private assessment is the right route, The SEND List directory can help you find a specialist near you:
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