Private autism assessments and diagnosis
Get fast, expert-led autism assessments with no referral delays.
- Diagnosis in 4–6 weeks
- Autism assessment available from £2,150
- No GP referral needed
- Recognised NICE-standard reports
Priory offers private autism assessments for children and adults who are showing signs of autism, with waiting times that are significantly shorter than the national average.
Our autism assessments are conducted by one of our qualified professionals, all of whom are experts, and specifically trained in the field of autism diagnosis and support.
The entire end-to-end process for our private autism assessment usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks.
Booking a private autism assessment
If you are ready to take the next step, our team is here to guide you through the process. You can get in touch with us in the following ways:
- Call us: Speak directly with our enquiries team by calling 0330 056 6023. We can answer any immediate questions and help you find the right specialist for your needs.
- Enquire online: Fill out our simple online enquiry form, and a member of our team will get back to you shortly to discuss your options.
No GP referral is required to begin, and we can often arrange your initial appointment within a few days.
While you wait: You may find it helpful to try our free online autism tools. It only takes a few minutes and can help you better understand your feelings and traits before your first conversation with our team.
Where to get Priory private autism assessments
We provide private autism assessments at several Priory locations across the UK, ensuring you can access expert care in a setting that is convenient for you.
Whether you are looking for a child-friendly environment or a specialist adult clinic, you can find a list of our participating locations below to see which centre best serves your area and specific needs.
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:
Initial assessment
Our initial autism assessment (charged at £99 for adults and £186 for children), conducted by a therapist with specific neurodiversity training and experience.
During this session, we use the autism spectrum quotient test (AQ-10) as part of a structured screening process to help determine whether a full autism assessment is the most appropriate step for you.
We’ll also explore:
- Background mental health information
- Discuss your experiences in more detail
- Understand your expectations
This initial assessment can take place at the enquiry stage.
Full assessment
An autism assessment includes many different parts. Our specialist will use a different tool to help them understand the current challenges you’re facing. These tools include:
- Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO)
- The developmental, dimensional and diagnostic interview (3Di)
- The Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
Our specialists will 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'll ask you for the contact details for these people, and contact them directly.
There will also be a session, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), where our specialists observe and assess for any autism traits. This is conducted and carried out by two specialists, and focuses on your behaviour and/or reactions during the session.
Outcomes
After an assessment, there will be a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting, to agree on and formalise your diagnosis.
Following on, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive outcome report, based on NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) standards.
There will also be a feedback meeting to talk about the outcomes of your assessment and provide any recommendations for further support.
How much does a private autism assessment cost?
To start the autism assessment process, you'll need an initial assessment to ensure you are suitable for the full autism assessment. This initial assessment costs £99 for adults and £186 for children.
Should we then recommend that you proceed to the full autism assessment, this costs from £2,150. If you're already in treatment with Priory, you may not need to have the initial assessment.
FAQs
What does the autism assessment involve? A summary
The autism assessment process includes:
- An initial screening (e.g. AQ-10 questionnaire)
- Use of a recognised diagnostic tool (such as ADI-R, DISCO or 3Di)
- An Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), conducted by two specialists
- A multidisciplinary team (MDT) review to confirm the diagnosis
- A comprehensive outcome report
- A feedback session with recommendations and next steps
This applies to both adults and children.
How long will it take to get a diagnosis?
The full process usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish, depending on availability and the complexity of the case. Appointments may be available in as little as 2 weeks.
Do I need a GP referral to access the private autism assessment?
No, you don’t need a formal GP referral to be able to access our autism assessment process. The exception to this is when a person needs to see a psychiatrist before entering the process.
Will this help with support at school/work?
Yes. A formal diagnosis can help you or your child access reasonable adjustments and tailored support at school, college or in the workplace. The outcome report can be shared with educational or occupational settings to aid understanding and secure the right support.
What is the minimum age for a child to receive an autism assessment?
We can offer autism assessments for children from the age of 4 years.
How are parents/guardians involved in their child’s autism assessment?
Depending on the age of the young person, parents/guardians can be involved in all stages of the assessment process. This can be discussed and agreed upon during the initial screening session.
During the ADI-R stage of the autism assessment process, we need to gather information on the person’s developmental history from as many people as possible. Therefore, parents/guardians and other key people in the person’s life will need to be involved. This is the case for both adults and children.
What kind of specialist will I see?
Most autism assessments can be conducted by either a therapist or a psychologist, but some people may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist. The type of specialist you’ll see can depend on a number of factors. These include:
- Whether you have any additional mental health concerns
- Whether you have been advised to see a psychiatrist
- If you would like to discuss psychiatric medication
- Location and specialist availability
We can guide you through the options during your initial conversation with us, and help to determine which would be the most appropriate for you. If you start on the therapist or psychologist route, but it becomes clear that you’d benefit from a psychiatric assessment, then we can refer you to one of our psychiatrists quickly and easily.
If your assessment needs to be conducted by a psychiatrist, the cost of this is typically around £2,500, though this may vary depending on individual consultant fees.
For more information on the end-to-end process for our autism assessment, please download our detailed information sheet, available in the 'downloads' section below. This document provides an insight into each step of the process, helping you to determine if our assessment service is suitable for your needs, and ensuring you're fully informed and prepared.
Priory psychiatrist recognised for creating vital healthcare pathways for autistic patients
Dr Asif Mehdi Bachlani, a consultant psychiatrist at Priory, has been named ‘Psychiatrist of the Year’ by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Dr Bachlani leads Priory Hospital Woking’s autism pathway and has played a pivotal role in establishing the first diagnostic pathway for autism within Priory’s private healthcare services.
This assessment model is being introduced across all Priory hospitals and wellbeing centres, improving access to timely autism diagnosis and personalised support.
Dr Bachlani has also created a 12-week programme for newly diagnosed individuals, offering psychological support, guidance, and ongoing care.
