Hi I'm self-diagnosed and based in England. Does anyone know of a way to get a private Autism diagnosis that's subsidised? I can't afford the private fees and would like to be diagnosed as quickly as possible as I'm going to University in September and need a diagnosis to access support.
Thanks
Hi. Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge there is no ‘middle ground’ whereby you can obtain a subsidised private diagnosis. The options are either go private and pay yourself in full, or wait for the NHS. However, my understanding is that you don’t need a diagnosis to get support at uni: they have an obligation under the equality act to support any learner with difficulties. Where you do usually need a diagnosis is to access financial based support such as a disabled student’s allowance (DSA), or support specific to having a particular condition. In lieu of a formal diagnosis, and because the waiting lists for diagnosis are long all over the UK, many universities will accept a letter from your GP stating that you’ve been referred for assessment as proof of there being a support need in the shorter term, including around adjustments such as extra time for exams and assessments if/where appropriate. If the letter includes a brief summary of areas where you have difficulty, they can use that to guide what support will be useful whilst you wait for assessment.
My advice would be to contact your first choice university and ask to speak to the disabled student services team (they may be called something else, but you should be able to find out what term your planned university uses online) and explain the situation to them. They’ll then be able to tell you what you need to do to access support, and what support they’ll be able
to provide, whilst you wait for an appt or save up to pay for one.
Hi there,
Just wondering if you struggled at school/college at all as you could ask them to write explaining your difficulties on your behalf? You could call SENDIASS (special educational needs and disabilities information and advice support service) in your area to see if there is anything available in your area towards funding etc as different boroughs have different provision. Also the Autism Society could help regards finding out about a diagnosis.
Hi there,
You may be able to get an assessment and diagnosis through your university's disability service. This is something I've heard happen to a few people - usually people who don't even realise they have a learning disability, where the transition to uni will flag there's an issue that initially wasn't recognised.
But I understand completely about wanting to get diagnosed beforehand. In my experience, university is enough to cope with without the additional stress of going through an assessment and then making an application for Disabled Student Allowance (DSA).
I didn't get the support needed in time. I tried applying for DSA whilst at university but my application kept getting rejected. This was despite getting support at school for Autism - having a Special Educational Needs (SEN) statement - and my mum and dad claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA - although that's since been changed to PIP) on my behalf.
My diagnosis letter saying I had "a typical autism" aged 7 from a clinical psychologist wasn't enough evidence for my DSA application.
I needed to be rediagnosed as an adult. In order for Student Finance (who fund DSA), to accept the application you need (or at least did in my time), a post 16 diagnostic assessment.
I got this for free through uni... at the end of my second year. Throughout the time before that, I was getting very little support and didn't do as well as I could've done in that time.
Even if they accept the application, it can take an obscene amount of time between getting accepted and actually receiving what you're entitled to. Many people, including me, have to chase it up due to getting stuck in the process, all while navigating uni without the support they're entitled to in place.
It wasn't until half way through my third year that I recieved my support and during that time I needed training to use the assistive technology. Due to the amount of time and energy put into applying for DSA and not recieving it until near the end, it didn't benefit me as I'd hoped. But it could've done, if I'd recieved it sooner.
I'm sorry this is so bleak, but I do feel I need to be honest about how it is.
As someone who previously had a SEN statement, I was extremely naive about the support I was going to get at uni and the lack thereof was a shock. I wish I'd had a person who'd been through it to warn me, and that's why I feel I need to be honest with you.
So do try to at least get a detailed diagnostic assessment first so that you have the diagnosis by the time you're at uni. Make sure your uni's disability service has a good reputation - they vary - and that you can get good people to support you with your DSA application.
Like Charlie mentioned, some universities will offer their own support to students displaying difficulties who don't yet have a diagnosis confirming their Autism, but not all of them will.
Autism is recognised as a disability by the Equality Act 2010, and because of this, institutions are legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments.
Unfortunately though, I don't think you're covered by the Equality Act unless you actually have a diagnosis. So, until then, universities can only act according to their own discretion and aren't legally obliged to provide accommodations. And based on my experience, which Charlie has also reinforced, you almost definitely won't get DSA without a diagnosis. Specifically, a detailed post 16 assessment to confirm it.
So any support you may get before an official diagnosis would be limited, and that's depending on the university itself.
I had limited support from my university for a time; although it's a good job I got DSA when I did, because by the time I recieved it, my university was no longer providing their own support - it was all funded by DSA.
Anyway, I will see what I can find about the disability element of the Equality Act 2010 and link it below.
This may help: equalityhumanrights.com/en/...
As an adult, it's much harder to get diagnosed and waiting for it on the NHS is too long.
A private assessment would mean getting seen straight away, however it's expensive and understandably a difficult decision to make.
One option could be crowd funding, setting up a Go Fund Me for people to voluntarily donate, to subsidize the payment for a diagnosistic assessment.
This is something I've considered doing for suspected ADHD and Dyspraxia that went unrecognized growing up. Autism without a comorbid condition, such as I've just described, is the exception, not the rule. Most people with Autism have something else going on too, and it's really important for these to also be recognised.
That's why I'd recommend getting a broad scope assessment to pick up anything else alongside Autism, so that you're able to get a good understanding of yourself and what you need, and access the right type of support.
But, anyway, I know how hard asking for help (funding) can be. It's something I've been debating for a while due to feeling undeserving or like my situation isn't bad enough to warrant voluntary donations.
On the other hand, I feel - and know - that getting recognized and supported for this is my right, and very much needed. I would say this to anyone else.
And it's your right too. Moreover, you're not forcing people to subsidize this. It's totally their choice if they want to, and how much they want to, donate.
A lot of people set up a Go Fund Me to get help with private treatment for a medical issue and successfully raise the money for doing so - there are many kind people who want to help.
Depending on where you get assessed, it would probably cost up to £1000 maximum. Although this is expensive, it's a relatively low sum when taking into account the amount some people need to raise for their individual situation, so you may be able to raise it fairly quickly. And depending on who you see, you may be able to get it even cheaper.
Go Fund Me also a suitable option for people looking to fund their education. And I guess your situation would overlap with both of the above.
Moreover, Autism is just a valid a difficulty as any physical issue or visable disability. So remember this is if this is something you do consider.
It may be a worthwhile option as time is beginning to run out for you with regard to having the diagnosis in time for uni.
Another option, if you don't want to crowd fund it, is to reach out to charities and organisations, for Autism and disability, that can help, or at least point you in the right direction.
I'll link some of these, alongside advice pages, below.
I want to wish you all the best.
Xx
AUTISM SPECIFIC
National Autistic Society (NAS)
Diagnosis Information and Advice: autism.org.uk/advice-and-gu...
Living Autism
Advice on getting a diagnosis: livingautism.com/diagnosis-...
Helpline: 0800 756 2420
DISABILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH
Scope Disability Charity:
Helpline: 0808 800 3333
Mind Mental Health Charity:
Mental Health and Autism page: mind.org.uk/about-us/our-po...
Infoline: 0300 123 3393
Why are noises so hard for me
struggle with autism and feeling lonely
I feel like I’m living a lie. 
autism assessment tomorrow...
