Private assessment advice

[tiredmummy76]

We have been waiting for 2 years for an ADHD & ASC assessment for my now 10-year-old daughter. Due to lost forms & incomplete forms being sent by the school (to CAMHS), and almost total lack of SENCO support from school we have just hit the back of a 20-month waiting list (because I took the process out of their hands). My daughter isn't doing well, chronic sleep problems, extremely anxious, she is hoarding (checks the bigs, hoards bags of rubbish), has lots of emotional outbursts, is struggling academically, is extremely defiant and uncooperative. She is starting secondary school in September and I really want a diagnosis and appropriate support in place before she starts. I am looking at private alternatives to CAMHS, does anyone here have any experience with private assessments? My daughter is quite complex and I suspect probably has traits that are considered ADD & ASC, as well as the more recent OCD and anxiety. Any advice very gratefully received. The whole family are so tired and emotional!

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time lately.
almost total lack of SENCO support from school unfortunately you are far from alone there

For private assessments, avoid anything that's just a screening tool and not a definite assessment, sometimes the wording can be a bit confusing and people find they haven't actually had a dx, only a test to predict the likelihood of one or more conditions.
Make sure that anything you're offered is for a full diagnosis if applicable.
Even Lorna Wing who are considered to be the Gold Standard of diagnostics offer 'Pre Diagnostic consultations' although they are a bit more transparent about theirs. .
www.autism.org.uk/services/diagnosis/diagnostic.aspx

NAS have a directory, you could start there, but see their caveat 'Please note that we do not inspect the services listed. Please see our disclaimer.'
www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx

NAS has a Directory, but they don't approve the people on it.
"Welcome to the Autism Services Directory, the UK's most comprehensive directory of services and support for people on the autism spectrum, their families, and people who work with them. Please note that we do not inspect the services listed. Please see our disclaimer." www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx

Does your council have a Local Offer section, you may find a support organisation there which would be able to advise on a private assessor for your DD's needs.
"What will the Local Offer do?
The local offer will provide information on support and provision available for children and young people with SEND from 0 - 25 years.
It aims to make clear the options that are available at a community level right through to specialist and targeted services for children and young people with more complex needs."