If you think you might be autistic, the cost of a private assessment is often the first practical question. It is a fair one. An autism assessment is a bigger piece of work than most people expect, and the price only makes sense once you know what sits inside it.
This guide explains what a private adult autism assessment costs with us, what the fee covers, why autism assessment costs more than ADHD assessment, and what to ask any provider before you pay. It is written for adults. If you would like to understand the process in more detail first, read what happens at an adult autism assessment.
How much does a private autism assessment cost?
Our private adult autism assessment is £1,900. That is one fee for the whole assessment, from screening through to your written report. There is no separate charge for the second consultation, the team discussion or the report itself.
Prices vary between providers, and a lower headline figure does not always mean a cheaper assessment. Some providers charge separately for the report, for supporting letters, or for speaking to a family member. The useful comparison is the total cost of an assessment that gives you a clear answer and a report you can use, not the first number on the page.
Every PrivateADHD® assessment takes place online, by secure video call, so there are no travel costs to add. You can see the full details on our autism assessment page.
What the fee includes
Your assessment fee covers:
- pre-assessment screening, to check that an autism assessment is the right next step
- two consultations with assessing clinicians, lasting about two to three hours in total
- the ADOS-2, a structured assessment that forms one part of the overall evaluation
- the ADI-R, an in-depth interview that gathers developmental and background information
- information from a parent, family member or someone else who knows you well, where appropriate
- a multidisciplinary discussion, where the clinicians review the findings together
- a written report setting out the diagnostic outcome, your strengths and areas where support may help
- supporting letters for work or education, where you need them
You can read about the clinicians who carry out assessments on our team page.
Why autism assessment costs more than ADHD assessment
Our adult ADHD assessment is £795, so it is reasonable to ask why autism costs more than twice as much. The difference comes from the amount of clinical time involved, not from a premium on the name.
An adult ADHD assessment can usually be completed in one structured appointment, followed by a report. An autism assessment brings together several kinds of evidence:
- how you present and communicate now, which the ADOS-2 is designed to capture
- how you developed as a child, which the ADI-R and informant information cover
- your own account of your experiences, gathered across two consultations
- a team discussion, so the outcome rests on more than one clinician's view
Each of those steps takes skilled clinical time, and the report has more to bring together. Our guide to the cost of an ADHD assessment in the UK explains what the ADHD fee covers, if you are weighing up both.
What the fee does not buy
The fee pays for a careful assessment and an honest clinical opinion. It does not buy a diagnosis. Some people who are assessed are not autistic, and a good assessment should be able to tell you that clearly.
If the outcome is not autism, you still receive the full assessment and the written report. The report should explain what the clinicians found and what may better explain your experiences. That can still be a useful result, even when it is not the one you expected.
Be cautious of any provider that sounds certain of the outcome before the assessment has started. Our guide to the official PrivateADHD® website also explains how to check that you are booking with us and not with a site using a similar name.
Do you need someone who knew you as a child?
It helps, but it is not always essential. Autism is a lifelong developmental difference, so the assessment looks at how you were as a child as well as how you are now. A parent, older sibling or anyone who knew you well when you were young can add a great deal.
Many adults do not have anyone who can do this. Parents may have died, or relationships may be difficult. If that applies to you, say so when you book. School reports, old records and your own detailed memories can all contribute, and clinicians are used to working with what is available.
Autism, ADHD, or both?
Autism and ADHD often occur together, and some traits overlap. If you recognise yourself in both, it is worth raising that before your assessment rather than after it. Assessing one condition without considering the other can leave you with half an answer.
Our article on the overlap between ADHD and autism explains how the two relate. If both feel relevant, read about our combined ADHD and autism assessment and when it makes sense.
Private or NHS: how the routes compare
You can ask for an autism assessment on the NHS. The NHS says GPs can often refer adults to a local autism team, and that if your referral is accepted it can take a few months or longer to get an assessment. In many areas the wait is much longer than that.
In England, the NHS also says you can choose which NHS service does the assessment, and you may be able to find a clinic with shorter waiting times. This is called Right to Choose. Our guide to Right to Choose in the UK explains how it works for ADHD, and the same principle of choosing your provider applies.
Private assessment does not replace the NHS route. It suits people who want an answer sooner, who have been waiting a long time, or who need a report for work or study. If you can wait and the NHS route is open to you, that is a reasonable choice too.
Using your report at work or university
A clear diagnostic report can support conversations about adjustments with an employer or a university. Our report includes a support plan, and we can provide supporting letters for work or education where you need them.
Many of the practical routes are the same as for ADHD. Our guides to the Access to Work grant, Disabled Students' Allowance and adjustments at work cover how those schemes work and what to ask for.
Questions to ask any provider before you pay
- What exactly does the fee cover, and is anything charged separately?
- Who carries out the assessment, and what are their qualifications?
- Which assessment tools do you use, and is there a team discussion?
- Will you speak to someone who knew me as a child, and what if no one can?
- What happens, and what do I receive, if I am not diagnosed with autism?
- Will I get a written report I can share with my GP, employer or university?
If you would like to ask us any of these before booking, you can contact our team.
Support after your assessment
An assessment is a starting point. Some people find the report is enough on its own, because it explains a lifetime of experiences. Others want help putting the recommendations into practice. We offer therapy for autistic adults and adults with ADHD, and your report will set out the support that may help.
Frequently asked questions
What does a private autism assessment include?
Ours includes pre-assessment screening, two consultations with assessing clinicians, the ADOS-2 and ADI-R, information from someone who knows you where appropriate, a multidisciplinary discussion, a written report with a support plan, and supporting letters for work or education.
Will I definitely get a diagnosis?
No. You are paying for a careful assessment and an honest clinical opinion. If the outcome is not autism, you still receive the full report, which explains what the clinicians found.
Can I get an autism assessment on the NHS instead?
Yes. Speak to your GP, who can often refer you to a local autism team. Waiting times vary, and in England you can use Right to Choose to choose which NHS service carries out the assessment.
Is the assessment online?
Yes. Every PrivateADHD® assessment takes place online, by secure video call, so you can be assessed from home anywhere in the UK. Our guide to how an online assessment works explains what the video appointments are like.
Can autism and ADHD be assessed together?
Yes. If you recognise signs of both, tell us when you book so the assessment can be planned to consider both conditions from the start.
Conclusion
A private adult autism assessment with us costs £1,900, and that one fee covers screening, two consultations, two standardised assessments, a team discussion and a full written report. Autism assessment costs more than ADHD assessment because it involves more clinical time and more sources of evidence. Whichever provider you choose, ask what the fee includes and what happens if the answer is not autism. When you are ready, you can book your adult autism assessment.
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