We get asked – “is a private autism assessment recognised by the NHS” A LOT, specifically in relation to receiving extra support from the NHS and Local Authority EHCP (Education, Health & Care Plan). 

Let’s start by addressing the NHS as this can influence Local Authority decisions. 

Private Autism Assessment & the NHS

NHS England state – “You’re still entitled to free NHS care if you choose to pay for additional private care.”

If you’ve started this journey, you will know that rarely are things this black and white, which is why reading this article will help you to be more prepared. 

Whether a private autism assessment is recognised by the NHS can depend on several factors, including the specific policies of the NHS Trust in your area and the quality and comprehensiveness of the private assessment. 

Here are some key points to consider:

Quality and Credibility

For a private autism assessment to be recognised by the NHS, it needs to be conducted by a qualified professional using recognised diagnostic tools and methods. Assessments performed by registered clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, or other healthcare professionals with relevant expertise in autism are more likely to be accepted.

• Our Autism Assessments are NICE compliant and undertaken by two health care professionals. 

Diagnostic Standards

The assessment should adhere to standard diagnostic criteria such as those outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases). Tools like the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) and DISCO (The Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders) are commonly used and respected within the NHS.

• We adhere to all of the above criteria. 

Comprehensive Documentation

The private assessment report should be detailed, including a thorough developmental history, observation notes, test results, and a clear diagnostic conclusion. Comprehensive reports with specific recommendations for interventions and supports are viewed more favourably.

• You will receive a detailed diagnostic report including a review of the initial questionnaire and all third party/environmental analysis. The report includes detailed specific recommendations. 

Communication with NHS Professionals

Sometimes, NHS clinicians may want to verify the findings or have a follow-up consultation to confirm the diagnosis. 

• We are happy to discuss your assessment and our findings with NHS professionals should this be requested. 

Potential Outcomes

• Full Acceptance: If the private assessment meets all necessary criteria, the NHS should fully accept it and proceed with providing appropriate services and support.
• Partial Acceptance: The NHS may accept the private assessment but still require some additional evaluations or documentation.
• Further Evaluation Required: In some cases, the NHS may require a separate assessment by their own professionals to confirm the diagnosis.

We are pleased to advise that all our autism assessments carried out since we began in 2018 have been fully accepted by the NHS.  If we have an assessment which is not fully accepted, we will liaise with the local NHS service to find out why.

Private Autism Assessment & Local Authorities

Some Local Authorities might insist upon an NHS diagnosis before they will provide services to you and your child. 

This is incorrect and we refer to the SEN and Disability Code of Practice (2015) which states there is no basis in law for a Local Authority to reject a professional diagnostic report simply because it was privately obtained. 

If you are not already familiar with SEND (the SEN and Disability Code of Practice) is statutory guidance issued by the government and it contains details on what Local Authorities should consider.

Refusal by a Local Authority to accept a private diagnosis of a Gold Standard autism assessment that follows NICE guidelines would suggest an omission in following the SEND Code of Practice. In addition, if this influences the ECHP decision process, you would have a case for appeal.

In Summary

Is a private assessment recognised by the NHS?

The short answer is YES, however you must ensure that the assessment is conducted by a qualified professional and meers the necessary diagnostic standards. We have detailed how we meet the NHS criteria, for further confirmation here’s some guidance from the NHS – Advice on seeking Neurodevelopmental Independent Assessments. 

Because practices vary between GPS’s and Local Authorities, if you or your child receives a private autism diagnosis, we recommend you share all documentation with your GP and make sure it gets added to medical records. 

With regards to your Local Authority and any additional autism support they can offer you, a NICE complaint private diagnosis report is as lawfully credible and clinically acceptable as any NHS diagnostic report. 

If you have any more questions, please visit our FAQ page or get in touch. The first step is to complete our FREE consultation questionnaire, which will confirm whether you or your child would benefit from a full autism assessment.