Private adhd/asd diagnosis

[SingingRobin]

We're looking at assessment for my duaghter who we think is AuDHD. My eldest is diagnosed autistic and I'm waiting for an adhd/autism assessment myself.

A teacher at school raised the possibility (which supported our private thoughts) but school won't action this which is the pathway locally as she is attending and compliant. The grammar school said along the lines well if we included those attending and we'll behaved we'd have lots... Which I don't doubt being a girls Grammar school...

Anyway we're going round in circles and I'm looking at private but it's so expensive.

Has anyone experience with ADHD 360. They will do it based on lots of forms and interview online. Is this still recognised by school/dla/etc and is their report sufficient?

There are some locally companies but they're over 1000 and want a school visit.

Adhd360 refer you to asd360 if they think it's warranted.

I think she's likely both although the adhd is more obvious perhaps. She's now at a point where she just wants to know "why" she is like she is and has asked why the school didn't refer after the teacher said they would...

I just want to get it right. I'm also looking at pscion as they have offices near us but they're expensive!

Thankyou.

I don’t have personal experience with ADHD 360, I’m afraid. But LAs and schools can’t refuse to accept private assessments just because they are private. However, you should check they are going to follow the NICE guidelines, as the validity is less likely to be questioned. It can also help if the HCP works or has worked in the NHS.

Complain to the school. If they think there is a possibility of ASD &/or ADHD, they should refer. I would also speak to a GP because there will be a route for those not in school, so there will be another away.

If you go private for an ADHD assessment, would consider medication and continuing to afford private prescriptions would be a problem, before going private for an ADHD assessment, you should check if your GP is willing to take on shared care. Not all will.

Thankyou - we are not looking for medication - she is "coping" but she really wants self understanding and for school to understand.

I did complain to the school last term and it went round in circles. They wont refer unless there's a behaviour issue or an attendance issue. They did send round a round robin to her teachers but of course only the one that "recognised" my daughter as autistic "saw" it. School absolutely will not refer. The GP is unlikely to proceed without the school so I am stuck.

I am trying to find out about the NICE bit - it seems you can do Right to Choose to ADHD360 so they have to be good enough don't they?!

My brain hurts. There's a lovely local one but its about £3k for the whole thing

Did you formally complain and follow the complaints process right the way through? If you look at right to choose not all need the school to initiate referral.

A company who also does NHS work is a safer bet than a company who doesn’t when you look at the groups as a whole. Obviously there will be companies where the generalisation isn’t correct.

So Adhd360 are nice compliant and understand about girls masking. They send a diagnosis letter to the gp/us. I'm thinking that may well be more brief than a "full report" others offer.

I'm thinking we might go with that for now. But already anxious if it will be accepted for exams/uni support!

And if they recommend asd assessment I might take that to the Dr in a few months and use that for right to choose for autism.

So pay 530/630 (the extra hundred is something to do with letter writing I don't quite understand) now but try and get in the system for autism.

Separately I emailed asking what the adult adhd wait is and it's 2-4 years 😔😬.

I'm not 100% sure why the doctors don't tell everyone to do Right to choose if it's so much quicker.

anxious if it will be accepted for exams/uni support!

It will be. Be aware, a diagnosis doesn’t automatically result in exam access arrangements. You can see the current rules for exam access arrangements on JCQ’s website.

Thankyou. Its more I want to make sure it's recognised as I am so strapped for cash I don't want to waste it and have to do it again if needed!

I've got far too anxious about this. A teacher has said she'd support our application so less worried now too :)

Amazingly they can do it within a month. Money really does make the world go round doesnt it. I wish I'd managed to earn more 😔

the other problem is you will need the school to fill the assessors' questionnaires will they do that if they don't want to refer ? and what are they going to say in there ?
I think you really need to try and get them onboard, sorry

I have a teacher from the school who will do the school side now thankfully.

So I went for ADHD 360 for an adult diagnosis. It was not 2-4 years but it was private not NHS right to choose. It was within a month.
They have been good but do check the costs as it is one cost for assessment and then one cost for treatment, either medication or therapy after so more than 600. But if you want just the diagnosis and letter (that is for the school/GP, then cheaper.
I have liked their approach and support throughout.

That's great to hear. And wow a month! That's such a difference to the NHS waiting lists isn't it.