Getting a private diagnosis of Asperger/autism

[VeniseAndMe]

Ds2 has now been send to CAMS for more than a year for an assessment for AS. They have just told us that he is on the wAiting list for the assessment but no idea if the time scale.

Where we are the budgets have been cut by half last year and they were already struggling so my best guess is that we willbiy see the end if that assessment for another 2 or 3 years (it's already taking 2 years for them to assess children in dire need of an assessment, eg children who are then referred to a special school) and ds2 is nowhere near in that category.
I feel we need that assessment. Ds2 needs it to understand why he is reacting differently, ds1 needs it to understand his db (and hopefully helping him not getting resentful).

I gave been looking around for someone to do a private assessment but haven't gone very far. GP said he had no idea and there was probably very very people doing that anyway.
Any recommendation that you could give?

If I were you I would ask the NAS if they can signpost you to local people or at least put you in touch with a local branch, through which you could network and seek someone good on recommendation. I understand the frustration it is very hard to wait so long and it's a bit mean that CAMHS can't even give you an indication of time scales. Good luck

I had a look thanks.
Nothing close by of course...

Any idea on criteria to chose someone? Some peoe were listing a £50 fee for the AS assessment which looks wrong to me. How can you do a multi disciplinary assessment with specialists in their fuel at that sort of price?

Some specify they do ADOS. Is that the golden standard for AS assessment?
My gut feeling would be that assessment should include an observation if the child at school/ home but can't see how someone who us more than 10es away could offer that either.

Such a big minefield.

You could try Dr Linda Miller at www.5papproach.co.uk/

She is a private psychologist who specialises in autism.

Not sure if she is near you but she is highly recommended.

I took my dd to see Daphne Keen in Harley st London. We had to travel from the North West but it was worth it as she is a consultant from St George's Hospital and is very highly respected within the nhs. This is important or a private dx can be seen as not valid.
It was expensive £760 but we used our dd dla to pay for it.