Has anybody had trouble accessing NHS treatment after a private autism diagnosis at Lorna Wing Centre?

As far as I can see, from doing my own research and having read countless individual stories on this forum regarding diagnoses and post diagnoses support the options seem to be, very roughly speaking, limited to :

NHS route :

1. very lengthy waiting times for an assessment.

2. very lengthy waiting times and maximum number of sessions ( 8 I think ? ) for CBT ( phone talk during covid ).

3. Prescribed drugs.

Private route :

1. Expensive but much quicker assessment, possibly more tailored to the individual. 

2. Private options of further support post diagnoses - zero - unless you or your company are prepared to pay for a Phycologist, specialising in ASD starting @ & £150 + per session (you would need to check if this is phone talk or face to face atm ).

3. Get your private assessment and go onto the NHS waiting list for talking therapy or prescribed drugs as above.

So your choice is very much dependent on your individual needs including your quality of life, employment, unemployability,  traits, financial situation etc etc. 

I understand many will need a diagnoses for all different reasons but I think I am coming to the conclusion, as far as treatment is concerned, that your money and energy would be better spent on more holistic approached such as Yoga, exercise, music, dance, movement, contemplation, meditation, cold water swimming etc etc  and in general, feeling comfortable and safe in your own body. 

I say this as I have never heard many success stories from talking therapy or prescribed drugs for ASD, Trauma, ADHD etc etc. 

Talk is cheap these days. 

As far as I can see, from doing my own research and having read countless individual stories on this forum regarding diagnoses and post diagnoses support the options seem to be, very roughly speaking, limited to :

NHS route :

1. very lengthy waiting times for an assessment.

2. very lengthy waiting times and maximum number of sessions ( 8 I think ? ) for CBT ( phone talk during covid ).

3. Prescribed drugs.

Private route :

1. Expensive but much quicker assessment, possibly more tailored to the individual. 

2. Private options of further support post diagnoses - zero - unless you or your company are prepared to pay for a Phycologist, specialising in ASD starting @ & £150 + per session (you would need to check if this is phone talk or face to face atm ).

3. Get your private assessment and go onto the NHS waiting list for talking therapy or prescribed drugs as above.

So your choice is very much dependent on your individual needs including your quality of life, employment, unemployability,  traits, financial situation etc etc. 

I understand many will need a diagnoses for all different reasons but I think I am coming to the conclusion, as far as treatment is concerned, that your money and energy would be better spent on more holistic approached such as Yoga, exercise, music, dance, movement, contemplation, meditation, cold water swimming etc etc  and in general, feeling comfortable and safe in your own body. 

I say this as I have never heard many success stories from talking therapy or prescribed drugs for ASD, Trauma, ADHD etc etc. 

Talk is cheap these days. 

Hi Turtle,

Thanks very much for this helpful post.  

Regarding holistic approaches, I started meditating around four years ago, using the Headspace app.  This was before I knew I was probably autistic.  I think meditation is one of the most helpful things I've ever learned to do for my mental health, (regular exercise is the other one) and perhaps others might find it useful too.  It really helps me feel less anxious and has improved my sleep (I've struggled with sleep problems for almost a decade and I've heard that many autistic people have this problem).

I've also found that talking to other autistic people and hearing what they have found to be helpful can be a very good thing to do.