In the UK, private autism assessment cost can vary between £800 and £6000 depending on several factors such as the location, the specific clinic or professionals conducting the assessment, and the comprehensiveness of the evaluation.
Whilst an autism assessment might be unexpected and cause concern, the benefits of a timely and thorough diagnosis and the subsequent access to appropriate interventions and support can be significant.
Unthank Speech & Communication – Private Autism Assessment Cost
We have over 20 years experience specialising in adult and child autism assessment and offer a full multi-disciplinary NICE-compliant assessment. Be reassured that an autism diagnosis will greatly increase understanding of an individual’s strengths, challenges, and support needs.
Adults – £1,750
FREE pre-assessment questionnaire, detailed developmental history, face-to-face assessment of interaction, review of third party information and provision of a detailed diagnostic report.
Learn more about our adult autism assessment
Children and Young People – £1,900
FREE pre-assessment questionnaire, detailed developmental history with parents/carers, face-to-face assessment of interaction with the young person, review of school information, screening of the young person’s speech and language skills and provision of a detailed diagnostic report.
Learn more about our autism assessment process for children and young people
What Happens in a Private Autism Assessment?
A private autism assessment is a comprehensive process designed to evaluate an individual’s behaviour, communication, and social interaction skills over their life and in a range of environments to determine whether they meet the criteria for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.
Private Autism Assessment in 5 Steps;
1. Consultation Questionnaire
The process begins with a questionnaire which is filled in by the individual or their parent/caregiver and will ask questions about developmental history, current concerns, and any behaviours that may indicate possible autism. Following this consultation questionnaire, a decision is taken as to whether an autism assessment is appropriate.
2. Comprehensive Assessment
This assessment typically involves a series of standardised tests, discussions, and observations to assess various areas of functioning.
These may include:
- Developmental History: Gathering information about the individual’s developmental milestones, such as language acquisition, social skills, and behaviour patterns, their medical history and their presentation throughout childhood.
- Observation: Observing the individual’s behaviour in various settings, such as during structured tasks and free play (for children) and conversation, to assess social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours.
- Communication Assessment: Evaluating the individual’s language skills, including both verbal and nonverbal communication abilities.
- Social Skills: Assessing the individual’s ability to engage in social interactions, understand social cues, and develop relationships with others.
- Sensory Processing: Exploring how the individual responds to sensory stimuli, such as touch, sound, and light, which can be heightened or reduced in autistic individuals.
- Cognitive Functioning: Gathering information about cognitive abilities to rule out other developmental disorders or learning difficulties being the cause of the individual’s presentation.
3. Collaborative Approach
This assessment often involves a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, speech therapists, and education staff who collaborate to gather information from various perspectives and domains.
4. Diagnostic Decision
Based on the results, the assessment team will determine whether the individual meets the criteria for a diagnosis of autism according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or other diagnostic criteria.
5. Detailed Report
Following assessment you will receive a detailed report which not only provides information regarding the diagnostic criteria and whether or not these have been met, but also includes specific recommendations for further support, including support within educational settings or workplaces.
5 Useful Tips
- Funding: Check with your local authority or charities as some may offer grants or funding assistance for autism assessments.
- Payment Plans: Contact us to find out more about our payment plans to spread the cost over several months, making it more manageable.
- Reviews: Take time to read our testimonials to see how our clients rate us.
- Endorsement: View us on the National Autistic Society website directory as a provider of autism assessments.
- Accreditation: Research why it’s important that our assessments are NICE compliant. Children/Adult
For more useful information, read our article ’10 Benfits of a Private Autism Assessment.’
We offer an open referral system and welcome self referrals.
Get in touch today for more information and/or visit our FAQ page if you have more questions.
