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I was misdiagnosed by seven different Psychiatrists before discovering I'm autistic.
In light of the recent BBC Panorama investigation uncovering a misdiagnosis at a private ADHD clinic, it is understandable that individuals seeking private autism assessments may feel uncertain and in need of reassurance. I want to assure you that there are numerous trained and qualified psychologists who can provide accurate and reliable autism diagnoses.
When someone approaches me for an autism assessment, I always start by asking them a fundamental question: why do they want to know if they are autistic or not? Understanding the motivations behind seeking a diagnosis is crucial to providing comprehensive support.
Let me share some background on why I offer autism assessments. Over the past two decades, my focus has been helping young people manage their anger more effectively. Among them were individuals who displayed signs of autism, although their traits may not have been immediately obvious enough to warrant a formal assessment. Instead, they were often labelled as the "naughty kid" and were referred to me for anger management.
It's important to recognise that many autistic individuals may express their anger more aggressively than those without autism. However, their behaviours are not indicative of being "naughty" but rather a manifestation of their struggles when in survival mode, as they try to navigate their environment, process communication, and cope with external stimuli. I refer to this as "primal anger." It is crucial to understand that their behaviour is not a result of "bad" parenting, although positive parenting techniques can help autistic children manage their symptoms more effectively.
Early intervention is key for autistic young people to thrive in school and throughout their lives. Unfortunately, delays in receiving an autism diagnosis often led to missed opportunities for support.
Currently, there are over 144,000 people on the NHS waitlist for an autism assessment, with wait times of up to two years in some areas. By the time a diagnosis is received, it may be too late to provide the timely support necessary for optimal development.
👉🏻Autistic people are 9 times more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic people. And there are millions of undiagnosed and misdiagnosed autistic adults who were unfairly labelled as "problem children" or dismissed as overly sensitive.
Offering autism assessments is not my primary service, but I strive to contribute to reducing the waiting list, ensuring those with a diagnosis can gain a better understanding of themselves and access support at an earlier stage.
I understand that private autism assessments can be costly. However, it is essential to consider the extensive training and qualifications that psychologists have acquired, as well as the various components involved in the assessment process. This includes conducting interviews such as ADI-R, administering assessments like ADOS-2, analysing data, writing comprehensive reports, and providing debriefing coaching sessions. The expertise and effort invested in these assessments warrant the associated costs.
It is understandable that many individuals prefer the NHS route, particularly considering that some local authorities may require an NHS diagnosis to access specific services. However, it is crucial to note that a local authority cannot dismiss a professional diagnostic report solely because it is privately sourced. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2015) explicitly addresses this point. Seeking independent advice from your local authority can provide guidance on whether a private assessment will be accepted as evidence for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
If you opt for a private assessment, whether with me or another psychologist, here's what you can expect. As an autistic individual myself, I bring lived experience to my assessments. I am highly trained and qualified to guide individuals through the assessment process and provide diagnoses of autism, autism spectrum, or non-autism. Additionally, I am listed on The Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU), which is the official record of all test users with qualifications in educational, forensic, and occupational test use by the British Psychological Society. Rest assured; I am also fully insured to provide my services.
The assessment process begins with an initial pre-screening using the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) for children aged 6 to 17, completed by parents or teachers. For adults, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a self-report measure assessing autism traits, is used. These questionnaires serve as an initial screening tool, and DO NOT provide a diagnosis, but will contribute to the overall assessment data.
Following best practice guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and adhering to the 'Gold Standard' assessment tools, the assessment consists of two parts. The first part involves the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), a comprehensive interview lasting up to 2.5 hours, conducted with a partner, parent, or someone familiar with the individual. The second part comprises the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Version (ADOS-2), a face-to-face assessment conducted with the individual being assessed. The ADOS-2 involves engaging in various activities together and typically lasts up to 60 minutes. I then combine the data from both assessments to provide a detailed report. Additionally, a 60-minute debrief coaching session with me is included to help you understand the results and navigate the next steps.
I hope this information provides comfort to those questioning the legitimacy of private assessments or seeking guidance on what to look for when considering an autism assessment. It's important to discuss your reasons for seeking an assessment with your chosen assessor, whether it be through the NHS or privately, as an autism diagnosis can evoke unexpected emotions and confusion in some individuals. Open communication will ensure a clearer understanding and pave the way for a more beneficial assessment process.
I personally believe that autistic psychologists are more than just trained and qualified to offer autism assessments. We have lived experience of autism, which is not included in the gold standard tools for an autism assessment. Furthermore, psychologists running a private practice are no less experienced or qualified than a psychologist working within the NHS.
Get in touch if you'd like to book an assessment, or click here for more details.
*Image is at my graduation, where I was awarded a Distinction in MSc Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology