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Private autism assessments

NAS82601
11 months ago

Hi, my partner is looking for a provider or a private autism assessment and there seems to be lots of providers online but we don’t know how to pick a good one. Does anyone know what to look for in a website in terms of qualifications, standards, bodies, etc, to know it is going to be a reputable provider? There doesn’t seem to be a number you can call in this site and the organisations in the directory aren’t actually recommended only listed, and Mind can’t help. Do I need to contact NICE or the GMC? I’m lost.. any help would be very gratefully received.

Parents
  • 11 months ago

    Taken verbatim from the NICE guidelines for the assessment of ASD, "Diagnostic assessment, which in the UK uses ICD-10, is often within a multi-disciplinary team but at a minimum is by a qualified clinician, usually a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist." From the document: Autism Recognition, referral, diagnosis and management of adults on the autism spectrum, National Clinical Guideline Number 142, p. 25.

    Though NHS diagnosis is by a team that might contain occupational therapists and speech therapists, for a stand alone diagnosis by a single professional, I would go for a clinician, so a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or neurologist (as per the NICE guideline above). Look for clinicians who have specialisms in autism.

    As for a private provider, that is the company providing the services of clinicians, check that they are registered with the NHS (can be done online). An even better guarantee is if the provider is used by the NHS to assess people through the 'Right to Choose' scheme. The diagnoses provided by such a company will be entirely 'kosher'.

  • 11 months ago in reply to Martin

    Hi Martin, 

    Thank you so much for your comprehensive reply, it is very helpful.  I’m not sure how to check if a provider is registered with NHS or or used by the NHS through Right to choose but I will google it and there is one provider we have in mind so will ask them directly. Thank you again, you’re very kind.

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  • 11 months ago in reply to Martin

    Hi Martin, 

    Thank you so much for your comprehensive reply, it is very helpful.  I’m not sure how to check if a provider is registered with NHS or or used by the NHS through Right to choose but I will google it and there is one provider we have in mind so will ask them directly. Thank you again, you’re very kind.

Children