Waiting time for assessment

[BimboandTopsy]

It looks like I'm going to have to wait years to get anywhere near an assessment for ADHD/Autism on the NHS.

Mental health nurse advised me not to go privately due to the many scam assessments. Has anyone done this? I'm due to undergo the first screening shortly.

I went privately to be assessed for ADHD and it took approx 4-5 months from my referral to getting my diagnosis (which I received 2 weeks ago - still waiting for the actual report though).

https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose-asd/
I was referred to these by my gp in May (he seemed to think it was 5 months wait for NHS). I have already had confirmation of acceptance and done some preliminary paperwork and just awaiting an appointment. Might be worth asking re wait times.

Mental health nurse advised me not to go privately due to the many scam assessments.

That's really bad of her tbh. If you do your research and find the right person you can essentially be paying for the same clinician that would see you on the NHS anyway.

I was diagnosed with autism privately but by one of the top specialists in the NHS in Scotland (at that time)

It is important to note they are separate assessments as well. My ADHD assessment was done privately by a psychiatrist who works in one of the best nhs mental health settings we have in the uk and leads research at kings college.

I get so annoyed when people are dismissive of private assessments, if they are conducted by the right person they are absolutely valid.

I have no idea of waiting times for ADHD but where I am it's years not months for an autism assessment.

Psychiatry UK is legitimate and you can be referred to the on the NHS by your GP. You’ll be seen within six months. If you wait in the NHS it’ll be 4-5 years.