ADHD/autism private diagnosis?

[Worriedmotheroftwo]

Hello,

HV says she is almost entirely sure my son is neurodiverse. Suspected ADHD and/or autism.

I know waiting lists on NHS for a diagnosis are years long.

We would consider going privately but the one I phone up said its £2800 for a diagnosis! Is that typical cost?! Can anybody please recommend a reputable place I can use to assess my son (4 years old) for a diagnosis? We are Surrey/Hampshire border but would be prepared to travel.

Thanks so much.

That is on the lower end of what I have seen for ASD and very low for ASD/ADHD combined for initial assessments.

There are also then potential on-going costs especially if you are opting for ADHD medication - both follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist and the cost of the private prescription and the medication itself.

It's about a 2 year waiting list for ADHD in Surrey I was told. Not sure for ASD.

That is within the average range for the cost of ASD/ADHD assessments, unfortunately.

Yes that's reasonable.

We used Starjumpz in Kent. They are very busy so often close their waiting list but we had a good experience and they were kind and well organised.

We used Berkshire Psychology which is worth looking up.

We went to the Giaroli clinic in London. I don't think it was that much.

Something to look for is whether the doctor who does any diagnosis uses the same methods as they would in the NHS.

We were on the waiting list in the NHS, went private in order to get the support we needed (including medication for SEVERELY adhd child), then when we got to the top of the NHS waiting list they looked at the tests the private doc had done and just took on the diagnosis as they said there was no point re-doing all the same tests.

A lot of pediatricians work in the NHS as well as privately so you can look out for this as they all know each other. I think it helped the NHS doc who was handling our case knew the private doctor personally (as they also worked together in the NHS) and trusted his diagnosis.