Private autism assessments, diagnosis and support at Priory
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Autism assessments in London
Priory offers private autism assessments for children (aged 4 and over) and adults who are showing signs of autism. These are conducted by a qualified psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist, all of whom are highly experienced in the field of autism diagnosis and support.
Following your autism assessment, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive outcome report, based on NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. You can share this with anyone you need to, including employers and schools, so that adjustments can be put in place if needed. We’ll also provide recommendations for any further support that you might benefit from, all of which can be delivered by our experts at Priory. This might include:
- 1:1 outpatient sessions for autistic people who might need some extra help managing their condition
- Support for people with anxiety, depression or other symptoms, linked to their autism, that they may need help with
- Ongoing psychoeducation about autism, including typical characteristics, the impact it can have on you, and useful resources to help you with your diagnosis
Why choose Priory for your autism assessment?
Further information
How to get a private autism assessment
There are three main ways you can get started with our autism assessment process.
- If you or a young person are eligible for our fast access to therapy service, we’ll be able to assess during this session whether autism might be present. If autism is indicated, we can start you on the autism assessment process
- If you’re already receiving therapy with us and your therapist thinks you may be showing some of the signs of autism, they can initiate the autism assessment process for you
- If you have other mental health needs and you’ve been advised to see a psychiatrist, your psychiatrist will be able to refer you for an autism assessment as part of your treatment plan, if they think this is needed
What happens in an autism assessment?
Our autism assessment process is the same for both adults and children. It’s made up of a number of elements, including:
- A screening process using the autism spectrum quotient test (AQ 10), to help us determine whether our full autism assessment is an appropriate step for you. This consists of us asking you a brief set of questions to see whether you’re showing some of the signs of autism. This will be done at the initial enquiry stage
- A specific autism diagnostic tool, such as the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO), the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3Di) or the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R). This step can take place without you present. It’s a chance for our specialists to speak to key people in your life, which could include parents/guardians (if nominated) in order to explore your developmental history. For children, this stage will often need input from schools too. We’ll ask you for the contact details for these people and contact them directly
- An Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), observing and assessing for autism traits. This is carried out by two specialists, and focuses on your behaviour and/or reactions during the session
- A multidisciplinary team meeting, to agree on your diagnosis
- A detailed outcome report
- A feedback meeting to talk about the outcomes of your autism assessment and provide any recommendations for further support
How much does it cost?
Prices for the autism assessment can vary depending on whether this is done by a therapist, psychologist or a consultant psychiatrist.
- For people who go down the therapy/psychology-led route, the cost for the autism assessment is £1,950.
- For people who go down the psychiatry-led route, the cost for the autism assessment is £2,250.
Get in touch with us to find out what each of these options include and which may be best for you. Some private medical insurance (PMI) companies may fund your autism assessment and diagnosis. Please contact your insurer to check whether you're covered for this service.
How long does the autism assessment take?
The length of each stage of the autism assessment can vary from person-to-person. However, the following is a general guide:
- ADI-R or other diagnostic tool – allow for 2 hours
- ADOS – allow for 2 hours
- Feedback meeting – allow for 1 hour
Will I need to join a waiting list?
We aim to keep waiting times as low as possible, and this depends on the location of your nearest site.
Priory services in your region
Our sites across the UK provide specialist treatment for a range of mental health conditions. Our regional locations include:
