Aspergers assessment... how to go about it

[toffee1000]

Hello!
Background info: I am 21 (22 in just over three months). I have long suspected that I am on the autistic spectrum somewhere. I know that the DSM-V did away with the separate "Aspergers" diagnosis, but that's definitely the side of things I'm on (if at all).
After discussing things with my mum we have decided that going for a proper assessment by a specialist would be a good idea. I understand that you can go via your GP but that it can take a long time for everything to be sorted. We are willing to go private. What kind of thing do we need to do? How does it all work?

This is just for information on me, because it tends to be useful/so you can have some background info.

At the age of 16 I went to a clinical psychologist (school had recommended it) and was diagnosed as having several Aspie markers, but not enough for a proper diagnosis. I would definitely say that my main issues are with social interaction. I find it hard to speak to new people and make friends. I have low self-esteem.
I also don't have great executive function either- I do shower daily (took me a long time to get into this habit) and have become better at regularly washing hair- aim to do once a week but still not completely in that pattern yet (occasionally miss a week). Still have issues with e.g. brushing teeth/hair.
Was v disorganised at school. Didn't work particularly hard (although that's prob not entirely to do with being an aspie). Managed to get into good university to do languages (French and German). I have slow working speed/memory/whatever you call it and have had extra time in exams because of this. I have used a laptop in university exams (although didn't use one in school).
I have also done very well on having a routine eg when at school, although I find it hard to come up with one for myself. E.g. when not in lessons at university I don't do very much. Definitely not one to go out on the piss
I don't really have major sensory issues, nor do I stim. I can get upset easily if I feel "attacked" (can't really give specific examples, it tends to just happen). Not a fan of super loud music ie nightclubs but again that's not necessarily an aspie thing.
Obsessions: not particularly narrow ones. I enjoy playing The Sims, also like Harry Potter, Monty Python, etc. Again, not obviously "Aspie". I do have a lot of Body Shop products (they smell so damn nice)- saw someone else on here who said they can be obsessed with brands. Of course, a lot of the products I don't even use regularly (mostly the shower gels). But I digress...

I know this is quite long, but I felt like I needed to explain things.

If you phone the national Autism society (assuming you are in uk) they can advise on services in local areas - nhs, private and charitable.

I phoned my local nhs diagnostic clinic and the waiting time sounds OK (although I'm not referred yet so it may be longer in practice!).

The charity action for aspergers offer a diagnostic interview for around £600 if you are nearby them