Recommendations for private assessment for ADD/ADHD

[Frizzcat]

This one isn't for me a friend of mine has a "thing" going on with the school with both her ds. One moment they are suggesting ADD or ADHD depending on which ds they are talking about and the next say everything is ok.

My friend has decided to have both boys assessed, and has been referred via NHS, but she's decided while she's waiting, to have a private assessment.

Do any of you have any recommendations in London? I wasn't sure if she should see an ed psych or development paediatrician. My knowledge only extends my ds' ASD, I'm clueless about Attention disorders.

[Frizzcat]

Thanks Polter

I did think a paediatrician, but after years of being fed bullshit, I didn't want to advise my friend wrong. Also thought of Daphne Keen, but she's a nightmare to get an appointment with.

Can a GP do a private referral to her to quicken the pace, or is it just a case of sitting on the phone and harassing the secretary until you get an appointment?

I've told my friend an approximate cost for assessment and accompanying report would be a minimum £500 plus.

[Frizzcat]

Just found her website, which has answered all of the above questions

[senvet]

Just realised I have no idea if private medical insurance covers this.

I would be amazed if it covered an ed psych but I had never thought to check if it would cover a paed....

[Frizzcat]

Some private health plans will cover initial assessments but that's all.

[bjkmummy]

I used DK recently and was expecting it to be an absolute struggle given what everyone else had reported but she has a new secretary and it was incredibly easy to do ! you can claim on your health insurance but its all down to the wording -when you book DK she sends you information about it and how you claim - have to say we didn't claim we just paid it ourselves as I couldn't be bothered with having to fight an insurance company

[Frizzcat]

Cheers bjk
It's a pity we can't clone DK isn't it?
I have never used her, but from what everyone says on here she has attained mythical iconic status in the Frizzcat house.

[spickles]

Hi there. I managed recently to get two sessions with ed psych on BUPA for a diagnosis for DD (7), which ended up being an ASD/ADD diagnosis. I used the BUPA website to find a recommended ED Pysch in London. So glad we did. School really engaged with the report. Really helped us frame our concerns and approach to DD, plus 9 months later we are still waiting for an NHS referral.......
Best of luck.

[Frizzcat]

Thanks spickles, my friend texted earlier and apparently her healthcare will cover an initial assessment for both boys. Friend is contacting DK tomorrow to try and get appointments for them.

Thanks to all who responded

[bigdonna]

i also used dk to assess my 13 ds she was brill she wrote in the report my son had traits of asd and adhd and he should be treat like a child with autism she also said to put him on melatonin for sleeping as he suffered with anxiety.the la took notice then he has la assessment a yr later good luck.my health care would not cover it so we paid the £ 700.