Priory offers private autism assessments for children and adults who are showing signs of autism. These are conducted by either a qualified psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist, all of whom are experts, and specifically trained in the field of autism diagnosis and support. Each of these options may have different costs and waiting times, depending on your preferred location and the type of specialist you’re seeing. We can guide you through the most suitable options for your needs.
Following the assessment, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive outcome report, based on NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) standards. You can then share this with whoever you need to. For children and young people, their outcome reports can be shared with their schools so they can receive any additional support they need.
Why choose Priory for a private autism assessment?
- No need for a GP referral
- Get an appointment within 2 weeks of your initial enquiry
- Receive a bespoke outcome report and recommendations for further support
How to get a private autism assessment
There are three main ways you can get started with our autism assessment process.
- If you or a young person meet the eligibility criteria for our fast access to therapy service, we’ll be able to assess during this session whether autism could be present. If autism is indicated, we can then start you on the private autism assessment process
- If you’re already receiving therapy with us and your therapist picks up on certain behaviours or responses that might suggest autism, they can initiate the autism assessment process for you
- If you’re presenting with complex mental health needs and it has been recommended that you see a psychiatrist to receive a formal diagnosis, your psychiatrist will be able to explore your symptoms and behaviours and refer you for an autism assessment as part of your treatment plan, if they think this is needed
Where can I get a private autism assessment
We currently have five locations across the UK were you can get an austism assessment. These are:
What happens in an autism assessment?
Our autism assessment process is the same for both adults and children. It’s made up of a number of elements, including:
- An initial screening, using the autism spectrum quotient test (AQ-10), to help us determine whether our full autism assessment is an appropriate step for you. This consists of us asking you a brief set of questions to determine whether you’re showing some of the signs of autism. This can be done at the initial enquiry stage. Alternatively, if you’re receiving treatment for other mental health concerns, this step may be conducted by your mental health treatment team, as part of your treatment pathway
- A specific autism diagnostic tool, such as the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO), the developmental, dimensional and diagnostic interview (3Di) or the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R). This step can take place without you present. It’s a chance for our specialists to speak to key people in your life, which may include parents/guardians (if nominated), in order to explore your developmental history. For children, this stage will often need input from schools too. We will ask you for the contact details for these people, and contact them directly
- An Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), observing and assessing for any autism traits. This is conducted and carried out by two specialists, and focuses on your behaviour and/or reactions during the session
- A multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting, to agree on and formalise your diagnosis
- A detailed outcome report
- A feedback meeting to talk about the outcomes of your assessment and provide any recommendations for further support
Watch our video to learn about private children and young people's mental health services at Priory Hospital Roehampton's Richmond Court one of the UK's leading treatment centres.
Get in Touch Today
For details of how Priory can provide you with assistance regarding mental health and wellbeing, please call 0330 056 6020 or click here to submit an enquiry form. For professionals looking to make a referral, please click here