Hull psychologist says small services could help cut ADHD and autism waiting lists
It comes as a new review calls for people with higher needs to be assessed sooner
A child psychologist in Hull says small services could help reduce waiting lists for ADHD and autism assessments, but are being overlooked.
They said their own service is not registered on the right to choose, which means it can't be used.
Elisha Kemp who runs EK Psychotherapies, said the answer lies in collaborative practice, with services working together to provide support.
Elisha says attention is going to big, well-known organisations instead.
"I think we're overlooking some of those really small services that are gold standard."
The psychologist said their neurodiversity service has won an award with Northern Enterprise.
Elisha said it has only been running for five months.
What the new review says
The comments come as experts say waiting lists for ADHD and autism assessments should be "actively reviewed".
There are currently hundreds of thousands of people asking for help from NHS support for autism and ADHD.
A new review says services should stop working on a "first come first served" basis.
Instead, people with higher needs would get a specialist assessment sooner, while those with mild to moderate needs would get support while they wait.
Experts said this could see children at risk of being expelled from school moved up the list.
The report, by Professor Peter Fonagy, calls for "radical reform" of support for people with the conditions, as well as those with mental health disorders.
Other recommendations
The review makes a range of recommendations.
These include tackling the drivers of mental distress and ill health, and moving away from a "diagnosis-dependent" system.
It also calls for a "no wrong front door" approach.
That would let people seek help through school, their GP or community services, mental health services, social care, employers and family hubs.
People should also be able to self-refer "where appropriate", the report says.
Experts have also called for a "national public information and education campaign" so people can better understand neurodevelopmental conditions and manage their mental health.