Starting secondary school with autism: a guide for parents (2026)
The transition from primary to secondary school is one of the most significant challenges many autistic children face. A new building, multiple teachers, a complex
If you are based in Nottingham and looking for a private autism assessment for your child or yourself, this guide covers everything you need: what to expect, how much to pay, how to find a quality provider, and what to do once you have a diagnosis.
In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the current NHS wait for a child autism assessment is typically two to four years — Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have reported increasing demand in recent years with waits across the county. For many families this is simply too long — particularly when a child is struggling at school, approaching a critical transition, or needs a diagnosis to access DLA or apply for an EHCP.
Private assessment in and around Nottingham typically delivers results within four to eight weeks of booking.
Nottingham and the wider East Midlands offer private assessment costs broadly in line with or below the national average. There is a reasonable range of providers in the city and surrounding areas.
| Assessment type | Typical cost | What is included |
| Basic assessment | £500–£800 | Single clinician, written report |
| Standard full assessment (recommended) | £900–£1,300 | Multi-clinician, ADOS-2, full report, feedback session |
| Comprehensive MDT assessment | £1,400–£2,000 | Full MDT team, detailed report with recommendations |
| Adult autism assessment | £600–£1,600 | Varies by provider — always ask for a full breakdown |
Providers in Leicester, Derby, Newark, and the wider East Midlands are all accessible from Nottingham. The good transport links across the region make travelling for assessment very manageable.
Quality varies between providers. Here are the key questions to ask before booking with any assessor in or near Nottingham:
Yes — a private autism diagnosis carries exactly the same legal weight as an NHS one and is accepted by all local authorities, schools, and the DWP across the UK. Both Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council are legally required to accept a valid private autism diagnosis for EHCP needs assessment purposes.
The only requirement is that the assessment was carried out by a qualified and registered clinician using validated tools such as the ADOS-2.
Nottingham City Council’s SEND Local Offer is at nottinghamcity.gov.uk/send-local-offer — includes information on local SEND services, the EHCP process in Nottingham City, and a directory of local support.
Note that Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County are separate local authorities with separate SEND teams and EHCP processes. Make sure you contact the correct authority for your address.
The Nottinghamshire Parent Carer Forum (nottspf.org.uk) and the Nottingham City Parent Carer Forum are both active groups with strong local knowledge of the EHCP process and local SEND provision.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham Children’s Hospital provide NHS developmental paediatric services for the region. A private autism diagnosis is fully accepted by all Nottingham NHS services — share the report with your child’s GP.
Provide a copy of the diagnostic report to your child’s SENCO immediately. Request a meeting to discuss what support the school can put in place. If current provision is insufficient, put your EHCP request in writing.
Call 0800 121 4600 to request the DLA1 Child form. Include the diagnostic report with your application. DLA for an autistic child can be worth £28.70–£184.30 per week depending on need.
Write to your local authority’s SEND team requesting a needs assessment under the Children and Families Act 2014. Include the diagnostic report. The local authority must respond within six weeks.
Your local Parent Carer Forum is an invaluable source of advice on local SEND provision and the EHCP process in your specific area. Find yours at nnpcf.org.uk.
How long does a private autism assessment take in Nottingham?
From booking to receiving your written report, most Nottingham area providers complete the process in four to eight weeks. Some offer expedited timelines for an additional fee if you have an urgent EHCP review or school placement decision coming up.
Do I need a GP referral for a private autism assessment?
No. One of the key advantages of private assessment is that you can self-refer directly without going through your GP, though it is worth informing them that the assessment is taking place.
Will a private autism diagnosis be accepted for an EHCP in my area?
Yes. All local authorities are legally required to accept a valid private autism diagnosis for EHCP needs assessment purposes. This applies across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire as it does everywhere in the UK.
Is there a difference between Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County for SEND purposes?
Yes — Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County are entirely separate local authorities with their own SEND teams, EHCP processes, and local offers. Which authority you deal with depends on your home address. If you are within the city boundary it is Nottingham City Council; if you are in the surrounding county it is Nottinghamshire County Council. Both are legally required to accept a private autism diagnosis.
Can adults get a private autism assessment?
Yes — adult autism assessment is available from private providers in and around Nottingham. NHS waits for adult assessment are often even longer than for children, making private assessment the realistic route for most adults who need a timely result.
Written by AI Mum editorial team
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