Hello
I have two teenage daughters (age 16, and 13), both of whom I believe are autistic, and the youngest ADHD as well. I had suspicions about the eldest from when she was a young child as she had issues with eye contact, socialising, and some sensitivities. They weren’t severe and I didn’t investigate further – since then I guess she’s learned to mask well and she’s coping but has social anxiety. The youngest has always appeared uncooperative and disorganised and difficult to talk to, but her dad and I just wrote this off as bad behaviour. I’ve become more and more concerned and perplexed about her in recent years and finally we did some family therapy which didn’t really help her directly, but the counsellor told us she is probably autistic and ADD (ie no hyperactivity). Her father and I have spent a year considering whether we should tell the girls our thoughts, and we finally did, and both took it well (the youngest had already figured out the ADD from TicTok!). We offered both girls the option of pursuing diagnosis, and they would both like that. We’re aware of the terrible situation regards NHS testing for autism and we’re not prepared to wait that long since we have enough savings to go for a private testing.
Does anyone have any recommendations about private clinics for testing? We’re based in Oxford and there are two clinics here, but we’ve been recommended to use a place in Leamington Spa (Heathcare4Kids). Or has anyone had their kid/s tested and any suggestions for what to look for in a clinic, or whether it is better to pick somewhere nearby we can go to in person, or if online appointments are satisfactory.
Any advice, tips etc much appreciated.
