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Is there any value in getting a private diagnosis for my 7 year old?

NAS91457

We believe our 7 year old is autistic. We have submitted all the forms for an assessment with the school. It sounds like the assessment will take at least 18 months. Is there any value in getting a private diagnosis? We’ve heard from other parents that the school and LEA won’t recognise a private diagnosis so there is little point in it. The school haven’t really answered me when I’ve asked. I don’t really want to wait 18+ months for my son to get extra support if he is autistic. Any advice please? We are new to all of this so don’t really understand how it all works. 

for context - our boy doesn’t have any developmental delays and finds his schoolwork easy. He also doesn’t have meltdowns at school. So I suspect he is low on the priority list for SENCO.

Parents

  • I can't see how or why the school can "not accept" a private diagnosis. If it is carried out by a properly qualified assessor - a chartered psychologist or medical doctor with autism training" how can they not accept it?

    Many LEAs do require their own educational psychologist to be involved as "gatekeepers" in the EHCP process, and waiting time delays are a way of reducing the demand for EHCPs and thus saving money ... an eighteen month delay might mean saving a year and a half of a TA's salary.

    Leaving aside EHCP, the Equality Act states that the school has a duty to make "reasonable accommodations" for people with disabilities, and autism is legally a disability. If you get a private assessment it should describe what accommodation your child needs. The school has a budget for SEND. There is a get-out if that the school can argue that they cannot afford provision without harming the education of other pupils - this can end up as a legal issue. Waiting six months for a case to get to Tribunal is another way of saving money. 

    We have elections coming up. This may be the time to contact your local councillor and demand proper services from the NHS and the education service. NHS funding will probably be an issue in national elections too.

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  • I can't see how or why the school can "not accept" a private diagnosis. If it is carried out by a properly qualified assessor - a chartered psychologist or medical doctor with autism training" how can they not accept it?

    Many LEAs do require their own educational psychologist to be involved as "gatekeepers" in the EHCP process, and waiting time delays are a way of reducing the demand for EHCPs and thus saving money ... an eighteen month delay might mean saving a year and a half of a TA's salary.

    Leaving aside EHCP, the Equality Act states that the school has a duty to make "reasonable accommodations" for people with disabilities, and autism is legally a disability. If you get a private assessment it should describe what accommodation your child needs. The school has a budget for SEND. There is a get-out if that the school can argue that they cannot afford provision without harming the education of other pupils - this can end up as a legal issue. Waiting six months for a case to get to Tribunal is another way of saving money. 

    We have elections coming up. This may be the time to contact your local councillor and demand proper services from the NHS and the education service. NHS funding will probably be an issue in national elections too.

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