Private autism assessment

[PossiblyND]

Inspired by another thread which has reignited a little voice in my head which thinks I may be autistic.

A diagnosis wouldn't necessarily make a huge difference to my life, but I would like to know one way or the other, especially as I now have a DD.

Two of my cousins have children with ASD and several other ND individuals in the wider family.

I suspect I may also be dyspraxic.

To my questions:

1. AIBU to think it would be worthwhile getting a diagnosis so I know one way or another?
2. WIBU to spend a decent chunk of money doing so when I'm currently only on SMP(although I do have a decent amount of savings)?
3. AIBU to ask for recommendations for private assessment providers, preferably in the London or Surrey areas?

Good for you OP. Hope everything goes well for you

I work in a secondary school. They cannot refuse to accept a private diagnosis. Ridiculous of them to even suggest this when NHS waiting lists are so long and many private practitioners work for the NHS too! As long as the diagnosis comes from a suitably qualified professional it really shouldn't matter.

Schools have to note if a diagnosis is private because a private diagnosis is no longer sufficient evidence on its own for a student to qualify for exam access arrangements and has to be considered within a range of evidence gathered by the centre. I appreciate that this feels ridiculous in cases of genuine need but you can thank the unscrupulous services who are willing to sell a diagnosis. I’m afraid they do exist and not all medical professionals behave ethically.

The school cannot insist on an NHS diagnosis before putting in RA, however.

With regard to your health insurance, you need to approach your request with something like you're looking to find the cause of your anxiety. Check the underwriting too. Happy for you to pm me if you need more info on that.

Our insurance refused to cover an assessment for DD but from reading the policy I think that if I had gone with the Anxiety and MH issues they might have

I wouldn’t tbh.

It’s not like there is a definitive blood test or scan. What you’re paying for is a professional opinion, based on the information you provide.

Not sure what relevance it is to your DD really, there is some heritability, but there are other factors too, if you think she has Autism focused on getting her assessed, not you.

If the formal diagnosis isn’t going to make much of a difference in your life, I wouldn’t spend any money on it personally.

You could try this tact:
Ask your GP to refer you on nhs. They might try and fobb you off, but be firm and insist. Find out which consultant at the local hospital you are being referred to. Then contact their private secretary ask if they also do private assessments, alongside nhs. You might pay £150 to £300 for first appointment. You then have evidence in your hand. You ask them to keep an eye out for your nhs appointment.

The limitations on privately commissioned assessments without prior consultation with the school for access arrangements only applies to pupils with learning difficulties where a Form 8 is needed. It doesn’t apply to those with a disability such as ASD where a Form 8 isn’t required. As long as they meet the criteria including it being their normal way of working the fact the diagnosis was private doesn’t matter.

Thank you so much for this @Mabelface - I saw it just before my appointment and that's essentially what's happened! They won't cover an assessment but will refer me to a clinical psychologist qualified to assess for autism. That will give me a pointer as to whether to pursue a formal (paid) diagnosis or not.

Well the GP appt went well, they've made an open referral to a clinical psychologist and I'm getting some names through in the next couple of days.

To my utter shock and disbelief I actually started crying when describing to the Dr why I think I might be autistic. I was not expecting that 😳

I see what you're saying, but I think it might help me to understand myself better and therefore maybe be a better parent? She's only 6mo so won't be getting any assessments any time soon 😬 I do think you've kind of landed on the reason for some of my doubts though. If an assessment says yes, that is just one expert's opinion and another could say no!

A diagnosis doesn’t come with automatic exam access whether private, nhs or otherwise

what would you do if it comes back negative? I think there are loads of adults who can identify traits of Neurodiversity as it didn’t used to be picked up as frequently, they may not meet diagnostic criteria though. It’s a lot of money And I’m not sure a diagnosis is always an advantage.

An oft quotes phrase is - If you’ve met one person with autism… you’ve met one person with autism.

That is to say, there is such huge diversity within the spectrum, getting the diagnosis isn’t going to give you any additional insights that will help you parent. At least, not given you are clearly a self-reflective person who has clearly done your research on autism.

If you had already recognised that you find it difficult to see the ‘shades of grey’ in a situation (for example) which lead you to seek a diagnosis, being able to say it’s because you’re autistic may be helpful in the sense that you can reason why that is the case for you, and you will be aware that you need to make a concerted effort to take a measured stance when your daughter gets into a fight at playschool - but having identified this trait in yourself, you would have done that anyway, even without a diagnosis?

I’m plying devil’s advocate - because in times when money’s tight it’s a shame to spend it when it might not be necessary.

I'm not sure what you mean, automatic exam access?

It's a good point, would it change my behaviour? Probably not, but I think it might change my outlook. Definitely food for thought though.

Sorry don’t get why you want to pay, just go through your GP and wait?? If your GP does the initial assessment and thinks you may have asd then you’ll be referred. If they don’t then you likely don’t have asd so do not need further assessment - paying privately isn’t going to make it more likely, they all use the same initial questions.

Having a diagnosis doesn’t automatically mean you get any access arrangements, you still have to meet the criteria. For example, with ASD for extra time it must have a “substantial and long-term adverse effect on his/her speed of working”, be the normal way of working, and there has to be evidence of the disability, although not necessarily specific evidence extra time is required, from a list of professionals e.g. CAMHS, HCPC registered psychologist, OT or an EHCP/IDP/statement of SEN. You just don’t need a Form 8 completing as you do for some access arrangements for those with learning difficulties, and it is those applications that have the rules regarding independent assessments.

But I don't need any access arrangements. I'm an adult, with a job, not a student.

I don't know about your GP, but mine isn't a ND expert. I know how they assess for a referral and I do meet the criteria, I just don't particularly want to wait 2 or 3 years. Obviously I don't want to pay, but I am willing to - and can afford to without hardship.

I know, but if you read the thread you will see there was a tangent stemming from discussing schools not accepting private diagnoses, which isn’t lawful and the discussion went from there to discussing access arrangements.

Yes I did see that, must have just misunderstood @BungleandGeorge 's post.

It sounds as though you have more or less decoded that it’s what you want. And it if will make you feel better and you can afford it, then you may as well go for it, I hope you find the answers you’re looking for 😊

decided

Social contagion at its worst. If you get a diagnosis, what difference does it make? You're still the same person as before. Everyone seems to be autistic nowadays.

Please, educate yourself before coming out with rubbish like this. Autism, particularly in women and girls, is still under-diagnosed. The purpose of a diagnosis is not to change you as a person, it's to help you manage your condition.