Recommended Private Diagnosis in UK

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I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for psychologists who do private referrals for assessment in the UK? As in, not through a GP referral. I find it hard using internet search engines to find anyone, and the people I have found seem a bit suspect or have practically no information about themselves.

I want someone properly qualified, used to assessing adult women, and actually trustworthy. Too much to ask?

Here is a link to the British Psychological Society, you can search on geographical area and specialism:

http://www.bps.org.uk/psychology-public ... ychologist

Just in case it's relevant for you, the NHS often doesn't accept private diagnosis as valid, especially if you want to access their support services, so they could still insist you go through an NHS assessment, which takes a very long time, and you would have to go via your GP and might have to fight to make your case for referral as an adult.

I don't know of any, Henbane, but do keep in mind that it will be expensive and it is not guaranteed that any diagnosis will be accepted by the NHS and the regular medical profession.

Also, I think that it is nowadays obligatory to have NHS funded autism support - including diagnosis- for adults in every region, so there should be something where you are. There is one near where I live, and I am now on the waiting list - which is 11 months! I did not need a doctor's referral - I could refer myself. Although they do inform your doctor of that. They send me two questionnaires to fill in (the AQ test and an empathy test) and based on the results I scored on those tests I was placed on the waiting list for an actual assessment.

Perhaps the National Autistic Society knows more. http://www.autism.org.uk/

I have the same kind of problem. I was lucky enough to find a specialist in adult ASDs near where I live (Northwest England), and am currently seeing her for counselling. She's given me an unofficial diagnosis - that is, it's her opinion that I definitely have AS - and I'm currently trying to decide whether to have an official private diagnostic assessment with her. I probably will, as there are various reasons I'd prefer to do it privately, including the stress of having to go through multiple appointments with multiple people in different places (I am socially phobic and struggle to talk to strangers), having to talk through the issue with my GP, and the likelihood of long waiting times. I am able to pay for a private diagnosis. I've seen a few people mention that NHS support is withheld when private services have been involved, but I'm not entirely sure what this mysterious NHS support is - for example, the specialist I am seeing mentioned that employers are required to make allowances for someone who is diagnosed with an ASD and whether or not the diagnosis is private makes no difference to that.

You are welcome to PM me if you would like the details of the person I am seeing - if you live in the region of the north/northwest of England she is very good and willing to travel to clients, with additional travel costs of course. However, if you don't live in that area the travel costs would probably be prohibitively expensive and you'd be better looking for someone closer to you.

Thankyou all. I may have found someone near me, I am in the East of England, although I'm not sure if they are experienced in diagnosing women. Really I just want to do this for my own peace of mind. I am already under NHS mental health services, and see a psychiatrist from time to time who I do not get on with or agree with. I'd just like an assessment from someone who actually knows a lot about asperger's, which isn't my psychiatrist.

Your best looking for someone who has training in DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders, its backed and run by the National Autistic Society). I had my DISCO assessment done on the NHS via my local mental health services.

If you're able to get to Birmingham, the Woodbourne Priory in Edgbaston is a private place, and where I got my diagnosis. I was referred through the GP, but I think you can self refer too.

Have you heard of Digby Tantam? He's based in Sheffield and is 'one of the world’s leading experts on Asperger’s syndrome'. http://www.dilemmaconsultancy.org/fees.html 'First assessment (usually 1.5-2 hours) Professor Digby Tantam: £450.00 for assessment (payable immediately, and before despatch of report) plus £ 150.00 for report
Follow-up: £150 to 250 (depending on length of appointment)' There's also the Sheffield Aspergers Service (it doesn't matter whether you live in Sheffield or not when it comes to referral). http://www.shsc.nhs.uk/sass