Recommendation UK private diagnostician for AS?

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I know there is a long thread going where people are recommending clinicians/diagnosticians already, but my questions is slightly more specific.

Can anyone recommend a practitioner in the South East of England, who is an expert in AS in females, therefore is up on all the latest research about how females differ in their presentation?

Initially it might be someone who specialises in adult diagnosis, but would be even better if they also specialise in children.

What would be the cherry on the cake, is if they are someone who also practices within the NHS or their diagnosis is recognised by the NHS.

This might be a big ask, I know.

Many thanks.

Just go to a psychiatrist.

Not really. Psychiatrists may be trained in a general disorders and conditions, but are not necessarily expert in ASDs, and even those that are, have a bias towards outdated diagnostic criteria and are unaware of the differences in females. I have read too many stories from people who went to psychiatrists without expertise, who came away misdiagnosed, without any diagnosis despite having issues and needing one, not being believed etc. etc. I have my own bad experiences with psychiatrists as well. I am keen to have a back up plan and I need recommendations as this is something that is too difficult to do an internet search on and get the right information, the information I need is too specific for that.

Yes but they just refer you to a professional afterwards.

I think you've misunderstood my original question. When I said diagnostician/clinician, this would include psychiatrists (and also clinical psychologists, basically anyone legally qualified to diagnose AS). It would be pointless going to someone unqualified for the purpose of obtaining a legally recognised diagnosis.

The following are all recommended on Rudy Simone's website as specialising in adults and/or females:

Joanne Douglas The Spectrum Centre, 14 Northland Rows, Dugannon, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, BT71 6AP www.thespectrumcentre.com
Louise Connor, Surrey, UK
Hildegard Schakel, www.schakel.co.uk Northwest England
Vicky Bliss, Preston, Lancashire
Dr. Ruth Ciersen in St. Lukes, Middlesbrough
Dr G Nicholson near Peterborough www.actionforaspergers.co.uk
Mike Larcombe, Wiltshire, UK Department of Neuropsychology 25 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR

I don't know anything about them personally except that I looked up Louise Connor, but gave up after I saw the cost/session. Might provide options/leads for you though. Good luck.

Thank you for this, most of these are too far for me, but I will contact at least one of them. If anyone else knows of any others I'm still interested in your recommendations.

Did you find anybody, whirlingmind? I am also looking for a diagnostician in the UK with experience in diagnosing adult women, but as I live abroad, any location in the UK will do. I am not entitled to NHS services so I need a private practitioner.

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