How to choose private autism as sennet provider

[JOD74]

Both myself and my 13yo DD’s school both have suspicions that she may well be autistic. She has been referred to CAMHS but I have been told that she will probably wait for over a year.

I really want to try and get her seen sooner than that, she’s already missing so much school because of her difficulties. I’ve googled private assessment services but there are so many of them and it’s hard to work out which are more highly regarded, as in school will take into account any reports etc they produce.

I just wondered if anyone had any recommendations? I’m prepared to travel anywhere for the right provider.

Lorna Wing are excellent at assessing girls and women. GOSH’s private assessments are good too. Many people seem happy with Psychiatry UK and Clinical Partners. I haven’t used them personally. You could also find out if anyone who assesses locally on the NHS also works privately.

Schools and LAs can’t have a blanket policy of refusing to accept independent assessments and diagnoses. The validity of the assessment is less likely to be questioned if it follows NICE guidelines.

Support in schools is based on needs, not diagnosis. The school should be providing support now, and if DD can’t attend school full time the LA must provide alternative arrangements under s.19 of the Education Act 1996. You can also request an EHCNA. A diagnosis won’t automatically mean DD receives more support.