Diagnosis

Hello all,

I've decided to get an assessment for ASD after several years of on and off discussions with family and also some discussions with a therapist about it.

Can you please help me to understand what kind of accreditation or assurances that I need to look for when choosing and organisation for the assessment.

For example, I've identified a local organisation called "Spectrumnorthwest" who provide ASD assessments, and who appear to be based on a few minutes drive from me, so it would be very convenient to use them, but I've no idea how to confirm that they are an recognised authority in this area.

I'm also aware that the National Autistic Society themselves have their own service but I think the locations are pretty far away from where I live (North West England).

How would I go about choosing?  I don't have an issue with travelling if needed, but obviously a nearby location would be more convenient.

I should probably clarify that I'm a 51 year old adult who has suspected that I have some level of autism for quite a few years.  However it hasn't left me unable to function in any external way, and probably many unqualified people around me wouldn't even notice anything except that sometimes and in some situations I might do or say things that seem slightly "off".

Therefore I don't really need an "official certificate of proof of ADS" or something like that which I can use to access expensive support services or benefits or such - for me it's more about finding out in detail why I am like I am, if that makes sense.

I am able to pay for this and I'm aware of the approximate prices (or at least what they were a couple of years ago).

cheers