Autism · 3 min read
NHS vs Private Autism Assessment: An Honest Comparison
A straight, honest comparison of NHS and private autism assessments in the UK — waits, cost, validity and how they work together.
This is one of the hardest decisions parents face, and we won’t pretend the private route is right for everyone. Here’s the honest picture.
The waiting list reality
NHS autism assessment waits in Northumberland regularly run 18–24 months, and longer in some areas. During that time a child can miss the window where early support does the most good. That’s the real cost of waiting — not just the calendar. (Source: local NHS provider data; NICE recommends timely assessment.)
Side by side
| NHS | Private (Speech Stuff) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | £1,975 (instalments available) |
| Typical wait | 18–24 months | 4–8 weeks |
| Referral | Usually via GP/school | None — come to us directly |
| Tools | NICE-standard | Same NICE standard (ADOS-2, ADI-R) |
| Report for EHCP | Yes | Yes — written to the same standard |
| Therapy after | Separate wait | Can start immediately |
Will a private diagnosis be accepted?
Yes. Our assessments follow NICE guidance (CG128) and our reports are written for EHCP applications, Annual Reviews and NHS shared care. A diagnosis is a diagnosis when it’s done to standard.
You don’t have to choose just one
Many families do both: they stay on the NHS list and get a private assessment now, so support starts sooner. We’re happy to share reports with NHS teams when the time comes.
Our honest advice
If money is tight and your child is coping and supported, waiting for the NHS is a perfectly reasonable choice. If the wait is causing real harm at school or home, paying to understand your child sooner can be worth it. Talk it through with us for free — we’ll give you a straight answer either way.
Related: The assessment journey · Signs of autism by age