Private Autism Assessment

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition people are born with, and it often runs in families. It seems likely that 1% of the population has ASD, which means in the UK, some 700,000 people are living with it. If you have it, you were born with it, which means your symptoms will have been there from a very young age.

See this page if you are looking for an autism assessment for a child

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It is not caused by bad parenting, eating too much sugar or junk food, or playing video games all the time. This is a picture of a functional MRI scan (a scan that shows brain activity), and it shows that the brain of a person with ASD looks quite different from that of a person who is not autistic. This points to the actual biological basis of autism.

It often runs in families (often with ADHD and other conditions), so it is hereditary and it is genetic. Extensive genetic studies have revealed hundreds of genes linked to autism, and we are not clear what exactly the impact of any genetic background is. Nor can we predict if someone with ASD will pass it on to any children.

These vary immensely from one individual to another and no autistic person is the same as another. The symptoms can be categorised in certain ‘domains’, or areas of daily functioning, such as:

• Communication
• Social interaction
• Behaviours and routines
• Obsessional interests
• Sensitivities in certain senses, e.g. hearing, seeing, feeling and so on

Some symptoms will be recognisable throughout life, but others may vary: many people with ASD learn how to ‘mask’ certain symptoms or deficits.
For instance, someone may learn how to show empathy or sympathy by observing others. There are unfortunate caricatures of autism being banded about, and certain films have led people sometimes to think that if you don’t look like ‘Rainman’, you can’t be autistic.

This is nonsense: autistic people vary as much as non-autistic people. Quite a few autistic people will, for instance, report that they feel other people’s problems intensely, sometimes to the point of experiencing physical pain. And some of those may try to protect themselves from this distress by being less empathetic.

People say the symptoms are different if you are male or female. While there might be a difference in what it looks like at a cursory glance, in fact, there is often no clear difference.

There is no blood test for ASD, and scans are not precise enough and are not of any use when diagnosing someone (although that may change in the future). We offer private assessments for diagnosis by asking about a range of symptoms, how severe they are and how long you have had them. For instance, if all your symptoms started when you were 20 and you never had them before, then whatever it is, it is not autism.

We use certain structured interviews and questionnaires, such as the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS), which captures symptoms and signs in various areas of daily functioning.

The scale is thoroughly validated in extensive research studies, and in statistical terms, it approaches a similar level of diagnostic certainty as one might expect from a blood test for other conditions, as long as it is interpreted by a specialist who can appraise the clinically relevant characteristics of the person being assessed.,

There is no treatment for autism, and in a sense, that is understandable: it is not an illness.
Rather, it is a complex situation where someone may have different strengths and weaknesses than, on average, those without autism have, and this is the result of their brain being ‘wired’ differently.

The neurological background to autism spectrum disorder is extremely complex: there is not one mechanism or abnormality that is the sole cause: this picture shows how many areas of the brain are thought to be involved:

This picture shows how the brain of some autistic people seems to be able to process what is seen 10 times more powerfully than the brain of a neurotypical person. Still, at the same time, the non-autistic person seems better able to process what is heard (this is just one example and not a constant finding in all autistic people):

Some people see a formal autism diagnosis as an unhelpful label, but for many, getting a thorough assessment and diagnosis may be helpful because:

It helps people with Asperger syndrome (and their families, partners, employers, colleagues, teachers and friends) to understand why they may experience certain difficulties and what they can do about them.

It allows people to access services and support.

In the UK, private autism assessments are generally accepted, but there are some important considerations:

• NHS Recognition: The National Health Service (NHS) typically recognises private autism assessments, provided they are conducted by qualified professionals using approved diagnostic methods. We are qualified and use approved methods.
• Educational Settings: Schools and universities in the UK often accept private assessments for providing support and accommodations. However, they may have specific requirements or prefer assessments from certain providers.
• Workplace Accommodations: UK employers generally accept private assessments when considering reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.Benefits and Support Services: Government agencies like the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) usually accept private assessments for accessing disability benefits or support services. However, they may require additional evidence or conduct their own assessments in some cases.
• Quality Standards: The assessment should meet the standards set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for autism diagnosis.
• Professional Qualifications: The assessment should be carried out by a qualified professional, such as a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or a multi-disciplinary team specialising in autism.
• Local Authority Services: Some local authorities may have specific requirements for accepting private assessments, especially when providing support services.
• Insurance Companies: Private health insurance providers in the UK generally accept private assessments, but policies can vary.
  

It's worth noting that private assessments are often quicker to obtain than NHS assessments. Some people opt for private assessments due to long NHS waiting lists. Still, it's always advisable to check with the relevant organisation or institution about their specific requirements for accepting private assessments.

If you're considering a private assessment for a specific purpose, it's recommended to inquire directly with the relevant body (school, employer, local authority, etc.) about their policies on accepting private autism assessments.

There are many resources available for people with ASD and their families, including support groups, advocacy organisations, and educational resources. The National Autistic Society, and Autism Alliance UK are all good places to start for information and support.