To go private for my child's ASD & ADHD assessments?

[BlackCatGoesHome]

She's finally been accepted for assessment. (Five years after we first started the process...Covid of course interrupted our first plan of action, since then we've been firefighting for both the children). A two year waiting list in our area (north). All other family members been diagnosed with one or both (all in past four years). We've been fighting for her for this for years, schools have been on board but the gatekeeping by the local authority has been phenomenal.

She's start of year ten. Not attending school (CAMHS has said she shouldn't be in mainstream), again fighting for appropriate provision for her. She's more than capable (predicted 6's & 7's despite very low attendance due to physical health issues plus the mental health and neurodiversity problems).

I'm not at all well off. Seperated from her father since they were young. It would mean taking on a third job. No little luxuries. (We've had two uk breaks in her lifetime, that should paint a picture). The uncertainty of getting shared care. Having to pay privately for meds until that happened etc.

I would need a provider that will be accepted by the NHS and also offers monthly payments.

so a) am I being unreasonable in looking at this option (yes provisions can be made without diagnosis but medication changes my life for my adhd and if this is an option for her, I will grab it with both hands)?

and b) where the hell do I find a provider that offers this? (Yes, I've googled but feel like this is a minefield!)

My adult daughter has just been diagnosed by a company called Psychiatry Uk who are contracted by the NHS, therefore no fees, unfortunately there is a wait for the medication due to shortages. She waited for approximately a year for the appointment, you also have to complete a questionnaire regarding how it affects you, I also had to do one as her parent. I believe that they prioritise childrens applications.

Everything including the supply of meds, when available is under the NHS, we haven’t paid anything for this service.

It’s worth looking on their website and giving them a call, fingers crossed for you 🤞

Look up NHS Right to Choose for Autism and ADHD assessments.

You need to ask the GP/local team about 'right to choose' if your local system has preferred private providers via this pathway (that they have contracted the work out to) then the private providers often have shorter waiting lists

I was assessed for autism by PsychiatryUK earlier this year, after going via Right to Choose. My assessment was almost exactly a year after my referral, but I guess may be longer for under 18s.

If you could get an assessment in that sort of timeframe, I'd say not to bother with going private.

A friend's son waited over 6 years for his autism assessment via CAMHS, which is a bloody disgrace imo. I hope that isn't typical of CAMHS generally.

@LakieLady i waited two years for my elder daughters assessment for autism but that's going back 4 years. Six years is horrifying!

I used a private provider, you just need to confirm they follow the nice framework (well that’s what CAMHS said they needed when I asked them). There is a local SEN Facebook page and I asked on there - also ended up getting a recommendation from a friend. You can also ensure that way that people have had CAMHS accept the diagnosis.

I think it’s the problem of finding someone who takes monthly payments.

re medication - you may get lucky. My daughter had her medication appointment and prescribed through CAMHS 35 days after private diagnosis - I didn’t have to pay privately at all.

YANBU. If you have to wait 6 years presumably you'll be in the crap position I've heard some families being in where the child gets to the end of the waiting list just to be told oh no, you've aged out of this system, you have to go to the back of the adult queue.

It makes no sense at all and is totally broken.

I would look up Right To Choose before you go totally private but do whatever gets her the help ASAP so she has a chance to do well in GCSEs.