- Trusted by UK families since 2023
The Honest Guide to Private Autism Assessment in the UK
Everything you need to understand your options, find a qualified assessor, and get the answers your family deserves — without waiting years.
Written by parents, for parents. No corporate spin.
5 yrs
Average NHS wait for autism assessment in England, 2026
6 wks
Typical private assessment timeline, start to report
Private diagnosis has identical legal weight to NHS
Accepted by schools, local authorities, DWP, and employers across the UK.
- Legally confirmed
Free guides
Everything you need to know
Honest, practical guides written by parents who have been through the process.
Complete Guide
Private autism assessment in the UK
What an assessment involves, how to find a quality provider, and why the diagnosis carries full legal weight.
Costs
How much does private autism assessment cost?
Full cost breakdown for 2026 — every tier, regional variation, what’s included, and the DLA return on investment.
Comparison
NHS vs private autism assessment
The honest side-by-side comparison — wait times, quality, legal weight, and when each option makes sense.
Benefits
How to apply for DLA for an autistic child
Step-by-step guide to DLA — rates, eligibility, how to write the strongest application, and what to do if refused.
Next steps
What happens after an autism diagnosis?
Your complete post-diagnosis action plan — school, EHCP, DLA, CAMHS, and connecting with support.
All guides
Browse all 26 guides
Local guides for every major UK city, plus specialist articles on autism in girls, AuDHD, adult assessment, PIP, and more.
The reality in 2026
The NHS wait is not getting shorter
Average waiting times for child autism assessment across England, Scotland, and Wales — and the private alternative.
How it works
From today to diagnosis
No GP referral needed. No waiting list. Just clear guidance and qualified assessors.
1
Download the free guide
Everything you need before spending a penny — costs, questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
2
Find a trusted assessor
We connect you with HCPC and GMC registered assessors using ADOS-2 gold-standard tools.
3
Complete the assessment
In-person sessions within weeks. Multi-clinician, thorough, with a detailed written report.
3
Access the support you need
Use your diagnosis for EHCP, DLA, school adjustments, and the answers your family deserves.
Parent stories
Families who stopped waiting
“We’d been on the NHS list for two years watching our son fall further behind at school. The AI Mum guide gave us the confidence to go private. Six weeks later we had his diagnosis — and the school finally had to listen.”
CLAIRE M. — BIRMINGHAM
“I didn’t know a private diagnosis was legally identical to an NHS one. That one fact changed everything for us. We have an EHCP, DLA, and proper school support — none of which we had before.”
JAMES T. — MANCHESTER
“My daughter was described as ‘fine’ at school for years. The AI Mum guide on autism in girls was the first time I felt like someone understood what we were actually dealing with at home.”
CLAIRE M. — BIRMINGHAM
Free resource
Get the complete parent guide
Costs, what to expect, questions to ask, and how to find a trusted assessor near you. Free. No spam.