ASd waitlist assessment 22 months

[ArseInTheCoOpWindow]

Is this normal?

Dd 16 was referred in April. 22 months is too late for university applications. We need it for potential Pip.

l can’t afford 3k for a private assessment. Is there anything l can do? 2 years is just a stupid time.

Hi, please ask whether your local Primary Care Trust will refer to Healios (via Community Paediatrician) - we had a very good experience with them, NHS referral, with a diagnosis within a matter of a few months from referral to final report. I was wary at first, but the thought of the excessive waiting times for the more traditional route meant it was worth exploring, and we were very happy with every aspect of the process. It is being rolled out across some NHS Primary Care Trusts, so worth asking. Good luck.

Thank you for that, I’ve contacted my GP about it.

Good luck, I know what it feels like, I hope you are able to get things in place in time.

Unfortunately it is normal. It is possible to get an independent ASD assessment for less than £3k if you can afford that.

PIP isn’t based on diagnosis, but on needs, so you don’t need to wait to apply.

All the ones I’ve looked at seem to be 3k

There are many that don’t cost that. For example, Clinical Partners doesn’t cost that much. Neither does Psychiatry UK unless you need a lot of the add of assessments or The Autism Service. Depending on where you are there will be others too.

Ok, I’ll check them out. Thank you.

Although l looked at Pyschiatary U.K. and they were one of the expensive ones. But I’ll look again.

Thank you

Psychiatry UK have a basic assessment costing £1700, but then charge more if you need more assessments. Arguably it would be better to seek the additional assessments elsewhere with specialists you have chosen specifically for DD’s needs and circumstances (at a later date if funds are limiting) unless the diagnosis hinges on having them.