Diagnosis Private or NHS.

It was via Sara Heath who did the pre-diagnostic assessment (which for me took just under 3 hours, but it can take much longer depending on individual)- she then writes a report and if she believes you are autistic, you can then go see a consultant psychiatrist that works for the NHS who can do an assessment and give a diagnosis if appropriate. The consultant will be able to use Sara's report as a basis. I had a very good experience. I wouldn't have got a diagnosis any time soon otherwise as I have been moving too much to make it to the end of a waiting list. 

Mine was much much cheaper actually... about a third of that

Wow even £1500 is cheap. Around london it’s £2500.. ‍♀️ 

We paid around £2000 for a private assessment in the South West area. I believe all of the people involved also work for the NHS. We had to provide quite lengthy documentation from ourselves and the school as a form of pre-screening, which at first was rejected due to school reporting no issues. We then supplied information from 2 external sources which was deemed sufficient to proceed onto the assessment process. We (parents) then had an online video call that lasted about 4 hours, followed up with a face to face meeting with our son. This was followed up with a phone call to confirm the diagnosis, a written report and then a follow up video call a week later to discuss anything relating to the report with one of the assessors. I think the whole process too just over 2-3 months from initial submission to receiving a result.

I probably should add that Psychiatry UK also does autism and ADHD assessments for the NHS, through the 'Right to Choose' scheme. You also have a choice of who does your assessment. Mine was done by an NHS consultant psychiatrist who specialises in both child and adult autism.

Mine was much cheaper than 900 pounds. I was diagnosed via Sara Heath, who does a prediagnostic assessment (she is autistic herself and has a lot of experience)- if she thinks you are autistic, you can take an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist she works with who will do an assessment using Sara's report as support. The psychiatrist will be able to give a formal diagnosis if appropriate. As the psychiatrist also works for the NHS and has a lot of experience with NHS autism assessments, I had no issues getting the diagnosis recognised by my GP etc. Everything was done online. This is Sara's website: Autonomy Plus - Pre-Diagnostic (shropshireautonomy.co.uk) If you think this could be an option for her, I would suggest phoning or emailing her to get all the details- she is lovely. 

Psychiatry UK, I was diagnosed using their service. They are online.

Ooh who? I’m looking to pay for a private adult autism assessment. Any recommendations?

I know that at least one provider charges £900.

Where did you get yours?

1500  ok I was very lucky then- mine was much much more affordable! 

A private diagnosis is exactly the same as an NHS one, and is valid for educational support and benefits etc. The price varies, but is averagely around £1500.

For me it was really important to know and have external validation that I am indeed autistic... in part as I had been diagnosed with lots of other things that didn't really seem to fit and I was/am struggling. It really helped me to understand myself better and to be more accepting. I also thought it might be useful if I ever ran into issues at work. 

But I can understand that a diagnosis is not right for everyone and it really depends on the circumstances and what you want- When I realised that I was autistic, my mum and I realised that she is most probably also autistic- but she has no interest at all in getting a diagnosis. Her take on it was 'well, I've always known that I am different/an alien. It doesn't matter to me what it is called' . She's accepted herself the way she is, has finally found a job that she is comfortable in (self employed and working from home) so for her there is no need... 

I'm 69 and i think it's only the last 15yrs that i started to think i was autistic. I read about lhe long waits on the Nhs, and the fairly high cost of going private. I've only recently got a new Gp, and he's the first person to take any interest.  He asked would i like to go the waiting, but i said...... was it worth it at my age, i could probably be able to afford a private assessment, but ........ was it worth it at my age. If only i got was a piece of paper telling me what i already know.  It's not even as if i could go into the Dhss and say to them, will you add an extra £10pw to my pension, 'cos i'm autistic.

Hi, I was diagnosed privately as I was moving countries too much to ever make it to the end of the waiting list. My diagnosis is fully recognised by the NHS. I think like Martin has pointed out it depends on who does the private diagnosis. I was diagnosed via Sara Heath- She does a prediagnostic assessment and if she thinks you are autistic, you can see a consultant psychiatrist who also works for NHS and has done NHS autism assessments. He will then do an assessment using Sara’s report as a basis. https://www.shropshireautonomy.co.uk/autonomyplus/pre-diagnostic
I had a good experience and it was recognised by my GP.

The validity of any assessment is based on the clinical qualifications, and membership of the relevant medical associations who license clinicians to practise, of the assessing clinician or clinicians, not on the origin of the payment for the assessment. If you choose a private provider, check these parameters in their clinicians and check that they are registered with the NHS. Many if not most clinicians providing private assessments also work for the NHS, especially if they are of consultant grade. Some private providers also do NHS referral work as well as private, this is a good sign that they are fully compliant.