Private ASD assessments?

[Bobojangles]

Is it worth it - DS is 8. I always had suspicions that he may be on the spectrum when he was littler, but in the past year lots of his "quirks" have become more obvious.

School are on board, we've had one assessment with CAMHs but it was a general sort of referral and he's no on the waiting list for help with anxiety. They want more evidence from school before even starting assessment.

The SENCO is off sick at the minute, so it'll probably be end of summer term before she can even resubmit for assessment which may or may not be accepted - and at least a 2 year wait if it is accepted

School already make allowances and accomodations for him but I know a diagnosis is gonna be critical before secondary school.

He's a smart wee lad, I don't think he realises he's "different" yet (he prefers to play with other autistic kids!) but I think it would be helpful to have the diagnosis to help him understand himself. We really skirt round the edges during conversation at he minute

Is a private diagnosis worth it at his age? Or should be just keep on with the glacially slow NHS process

Im an HPC so I know to look for NICE etc but is a private diagnosis seen as "lesser"

We could afford it but it would be a lot of money to us

DD is nearly 8 and we have just received a private ASD diagnosis (via the NHS Right to Choose scheme so didn't cost us anything). The private provider we used is actually commissioned by some ICBs to undertake assessments on behalf of the NHS to try and cut the waiting lists. So I'm hoping it will be taken seriously, but I've not yet spoken to the school.

DD saw an NHS paediatrician last summer and put on the NHS waiting list in November, but she said it was currently 2-3 years.

One of the reasons I decided to get a diagnosis sooner is that the school have been useless, and because she doesn't present in an obvious way, they have not been interested in providing any support (despite a year of school refusal). Tbh, I don't know whether this will make a difference, but I intend to next go down the EHCP route. Also it has been hugely validating; mainly because of the school, I have been questioning and over-analysing everything. But that's now five professionals who can see what we do (two separate paediatricians, one of whom is an ASD and ADHD specialist, an occupational therapist, a S&L therapist and a psychologist).

But if the school are already on the same page and there's no doubt, perhaps there's less urgency.

Schools, LAs and the NHS can’t refuse to accept a diagnosis purely because it is the result of an independent assessment. Although the validity of the assessment and any potential diagnosis is less likely to be questioned if you use someone who follows the NICE guidelines &/or works/worked in the NHS.

Since DS is receiving support anyway (as it should be, support in schools is based on needs not diagnosis) personally I wouldn’t pay for a private assessment at this point if it will be a lot of money to you, especially if you are thinking of going down the EHCP route (where I would save your money in case you have to appeal and seek independent ed psych, SALT, OT assessments are required). Depending on your income you could look at Caudwell Children’s charity funded assessments.

Like previous poster, we also used Right to Choose (commissioned by the NHS) which was completely free and took just a few months from start to finish. We don't have money to throw at private diagnoses, but couldn't bear waiting for years. I was so pleased when I found out about the existence of RTC!