DECIDING WHETHER TO GET AN ASSESSMENT
Anyone can choose to have a private autism assessment, but it is important to consider whether an assessment is needed. A good starting point is to consider whether an assessment/diagnosis would be helpful to you.
For people who are in education and employment, a diagnosis may be required to access reasonable adjustments to study/working arrangements. Or for example, you may be looking for specific help around communication and your relationships with others. Some people may only be curious to understand why they have challenges that other people do not have. It may also be helpful to discuss your thoughts with a family member, a colleague, or your GP.
THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS
There are a number of steps when undergoing private autism assessments. The process starts with the completion of registration documents. Once we have received your completed registration documents, we will send you a pre-assessment questionnaire.
As soon as you have completed your registration form, you will be able to schedule an appointment with one of our psychiatrists but please note that if we do not receive the completed pre-assessment questionnaires, your appointment will need to be released and you will need to schedule another appointment.
To ensure that assessments are comprehensive and reliable, we use a multidisciplinary approach when assessing for autism. There are several parts to an autism assessment which include:
- An initial consultation with a consultant psychiatrist. This appointment may take up to two hours to complete.
- A structured observation assessment. We use the ADOS-2 assessment tool. ADOS-2 is short for Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition.
- An interview with an informant (who preferably has knowledge of your early development), or in some cases, the completion of a detailed questionnaire.
LETTERS AND REPORTS
After your private autism assessment, your psychiatrist will write a comprehensive assessment letter to your GP. Here’s what you need to know about the process:
- Review and Verification: The letter will be sent to you first for checking. This gives you an opportunity to review the information that will be shared with your GP. You can correct any inaccuracies before it’s finalised.
- Deadline Extension: You’ll have five working days to check the letter. If you can’t make changes within that period, let our office know, and we can extend the deadline. However, if no response is received, we’ll assume you’re ready for the letter to be sent to your GP.
- Final Copy: Once approved, you will receive a copy of the final version of your GP letter for your records.
Additionally, alongside the GP letter, you’ll receive a brief letter addressed to whom it may concern, stating your diagnosis. Here’s why this brief letter is beneficial:
- Privacy Protection: The brief letter provides the diagnosis without requiring personal information about your life. This can be useful for sharing with education providers, employers, etc.
- Sufficient Information: It explains that further information may be requested with your written consent. However, most people find these letters adequate for most purposes, as they read as a diagnosis certificate.
OTHER INTERVENTIONS
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Unlike other neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, medication he’s not routinely prescribed for autistic people.
However, autism may lead to other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, autistic people may benefit from treatment with psychotropic medication, but only if the medication is required to treat associated symptoms.
Many autistic people feel a huge sense of relief and acceptance, when they receive a diagnosis of autism. Not all people who experience autistic traits choose to undergo formal assessment as they may already self-identify as being autistic.
It is generally accepted that the world is favourable towards neurotypical people, which often disadvantages autistic people. To be able to request reasonable adjustments to live, study and work without so many barriers, a diagnosis is often required as evidence.
Autistic people may find communication particularly difficult. Many autistic people struggle with communication that is not direct and literal. Coping with inferred meaning and devices such as innuendo and sarcasm may be particularly difficult to process.
Although people may adapt and find ways around these differences in communication, there are specific interventions to help people better understand others and to feel more confident in their communication.
To read more about the interventions and resources available to support autistic people, visit our treatment page
FAQs
1. What is a Private Autism Assessment?
A Private Autism Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by qualified healthcare professionals in a private setting to determine if an individual exhibits characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This assessment typically involves a combination of standardised tests, observations, and interviews with the individual and their family members to evaluate behavioural and social-communication challenges.
2. How does a Private Autism Assessment differ from an NHS Assessment?
Private Autism Assessments often have shorter waiting times compared to NHS assessments and may provide a more personalised and flexible experience. However, private assessments come at a cost, while NHS assessments are typically covered by the public healthcare system.
3. What is the cost of a Private Autism Assessment?
The cost of a Private Autism Assessment can vary widely depending on the location, the healthcare provider, and the extent of the assessment. It’s advisable to contact private clinics directly to obtain accurate pricing information.
4. How long do Private Autism Assessments take?
The length of a Private Autism Assessment can vary, but generally, the process could take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. This timeframe includes initial consultations, the assessment itself, and the follow-up appointment to discuss the results and potential intervention strategies.
5. What can I expect during a Private Autism Assessment?
During a Private Autism Assessment, you can expect to undergo various standardised tests and engage in interviews that aim to understand your behavioural patterns, social interactions, and communication abilities. Healthcare professionals may also observe your behaviour in different settings and seek input from family members or other close individuals.
6. Will my insurance cover the cost of a Private Autism Assessment?
Insurance coverage for Private Autism Assessments can vary greatly depending on your insurance provider and plan. It’s advisable to contact your insurance company directly to understand if and how much of the assessment cost is covered under your policy.