Published on 12, July, 2020
I have my ASD assessment booked. The NHS waiting list in my area is years and as I am now 36 and struggling with depression and anxiety I think may be related to masking I just don’t feel I can wait that long.
I am incredibly fortunate that through my husband’s job we have private healthcare which will cover a private assessment.
Unfortunately I’ve had a few people tell me that ‘you get what you pay for’ and that private assessors will pretty much diagnose anyone. This is making me really worried and I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this?
Hi LittleHouse
I am not sure if this is the way you would want to do it but here goes. Because of extended waiting times with NHS I requested a Right to choose pathway for my son (age 9). I did have to push a little and also gave the Gp all the relevant information and forms. Right to choose is everyone’s right for treatment/assessment so don’t be fobbed off by a lazy Gp who doesn’t want to spend the time filling out the forms. I found Clinical Partners who are online and affiliated with the NHS. My worry with a private diagnosis was that sometimes it is not taken seriously when it comes to support. My son does need a EHCP in place and some limited help so that’s why I went down the route of Right to choose. I have just been informed that the wait for this is 3-6 months as opposed to 3 years on the NHS. Now this has been accepted I intend to use the pathway also for myself
Hope that is of some help to you and best of luck
Thank you for your reply. I’m so glad you got the answers you needed. Unfortunately I don’t think this is an option in Scotland, where I live. But I will certainly do some research.