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Paying for a private assessment of Autism DISCO

Moomin5

Hello,

This is my first time posting on the forum, so hopefully i've asked this question in the correct area Slight smile

I'm having to pay for a private assessment and i'm starting to get a little nervous about it all! I've found someone local to me using the NAS website but was wondering if it's normal for just one person to do the assessment? According to the NAS's section on Aspergers, normally a team of people are involved in the diagnosis process. This is going to cost me around £700 so i'm really wanting to make the right choice.

He uses the DISCO framework which I don't know much about but as it's what the Lorna Wing Centre use i'm guessing that it's a good sign? (I can't afford Lorna Wing or I would go there as apparently they're very experienced in diagnosing women)

Any experience of this or general advice is most welcome. Thanks.

  • in reply to NAS39225

    When I went I had to pay a small amount for a screening test, and then if she felt it was worth continuing, a deposit, followed by the full amount before the day of the test (similar amount to you).  I actually paid the full amount instead of just the deposit to get it out of the way. 

    I think the appointment was around 8 weeks after agreeing.  She used Baron Cohen's AAA tool, which I had to complete in advance and send - the interview was partly based on the written answers.  I felt I was listened to with a 'critical' ear - as in she would explore my initial answers in great detail.

    Afterwards, and having received the written report, I was happy with the value-for-money aspect.  Anyone listening to me drone on about 'me' for 5 hours need paying well!

  • in reply to NAS39225

    I had to pay a deposit of just over 10%, then the balance after I had received the final paperwork after diagnosis

  • Hi all, I've just been given an appointment to go through private diagnosis and she is asking for payment upfront. Is this normal? Since you've all been through it I thought you'd be the best to ask...

  • in reply to Trainspotter

    Thanks for your message. I'll definitely make sure that I write down as much supporting evidence as I can. I feel the same about being more nervous of not being found to be autistic. 

  • Hi Moomin

    I had a private diagnosis a little over a year ago.

    I was 62 at the time and was told by my doctor it was  not possible to get an assessment under the NHS.

    Just one psychologist diagnosed me.  I had written a rather  long report a few weeks beforeheand on his recommendation, a potted history of my life using his prompting questions as a guide.

    I was more nervous about not being diagnosed than I was about being diagnosed.  Coming to terms with it, however much I was expecting it, took a while.  I was thinking about what might have been had I been diagnosed as a youngster although autism was not really recognised in those days except in the dusty archives of medical textbooks.

    I must say there has been no difficulty in getting the report accepted by anyone.  The biggest difficulty I think is getting people to realise the difficulties I have cannot be 'cured'. But most of all the diagnosis gave me reasons for the many problems I have had throughout m life. 

  • in reply to moggsy

    Thanks for your reply, I'm starting to feel much more positive about it now. 

  • Hi Moomin

    I am also a woman who got diagnosis as an adult, and it was a clinical psychologist who did the interview and report. My fee was similar to yours btw. The interview was quite long, but one to one, although I did write up my 'reasons I think I have Asperger's' beforehand, which ran to about 20 pages! The psychologist doing the assessment read this before our meeting, so did have some pre-supplied info, also my mother provided info about my childhood development.

  • in reply to TenaciousT

    That's great to hear. Thanks for the reply Slight smile

  • Hello

    Both my hubby & our eldest daughter were assessed by separate, independent psychologists, rather than a team & we did it privately. The only team approach we've experienced has been for our younger, complex special needs child whose difficulties spanned developmental, medical, educational & psychological issues. I think the lone assessor approach is the norm. Good luck & welcome!