Will a private adult autism assessment be recognised by the NHS and other organisations?

The NHS will accept private autism assessments as long as they have been completed robustly and in line with national standards. As long as you use a reputable company, such as ourselves, you can be assured that your assessment, report and diagnostic outcome are evidence-based and will be recognised by other services. To be recognised, an assessment must: Meet NICE guidelines Be completed by appropriately registered clinicians (HCPC, NMC, etc.) Produce a comprehensive diagnostic report You can read more about whether a private autism assessment will be recognised in our information section here.

Are your adult autism assessments NICE-compliant?

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) sets out the expected standards for autism assessments in its NICE Guidelines. Our adult autism assessments follow NICE guidelines; therefore, you can be assured that our autism assessments are NICE compliant. You can find out more about the NICE guidelines here.

Is your team experienced in assessing women?

Our clinicians are highly experienced in assessing complex autism presentations, including women who may be high-masking. You can rest assured we are skilled in female autism presentations.

What if I don't have an informant that knew me as a child?

There are different approaches that can be used to gather the information needed for an autism assessment. If you do not have someone who knew you as a child, or do not want your parents involved in your assessment, we can gather information about your childhood directly from you. We can also use an informant who knows you as an adult, such as a partner or good friend. You can find out more here.

Do you offer combined autism and ADHD assessments for adults?

If you are experiencing traits of both autism and ADHD, often refrred to as AuDHD, you may want to be assessed for both conditions. We provide NICE compliant combined autism and ADHD assessments for adults, you can find out more about the AuDHD assessment process here.

What if I’m unsure whether I need an autism or ADHD assessment, or both?

If you are not sure whether your experiences point to autism, ADHD or both, our free pre-screening process is designed to help. You provide us with some background information, and one of our clinicians reviews it and advises which assessment — if any — is the right fit for you. There is no cost or obligation at this stage, and the aim is simply to make sure you are pointed towards the most appropriate assessment. Feel free to contact us to discuss.

Do I need a GP referral?

You do not need a referral from your GP or another professional to access an autism assessment with us. You can self-refer by completing our online form, calling or emailing us.

Will you be able to diagnose other conditions when conducting an adult autism assessment?

We cannot diagnose other conditions during an autism assessment, but if we see signs of other potential conditions, we will recommend further assessment for these. During an autism assessment, we gather extensive information about your life experiences. Within this information, we may see patterns of behaviours or experiences that point to another condition co-occurring alongside autism, such as ADHD or OCD. If this is the case, we will discuss this with you and make appropriate recommendations.

I am high-masking, I am worried that you will not see my autism during an assessment?

Camouflaging and masking are strategies used by many autistic people to hide their differences. Our clinicians are specialists and observe the nuances of social communication and interactions during the assessment. Whilst autistic characteristics may not be obvious to untrained adults, our team will be able to recognise the signs. You can find out more here.

Can I use a private autism diagnosis for workplace adjustments?

Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for employees with a disability. They must ensure that employees are not at a disadvantage because of their disability. Some employers will require proof of the disability, and your private autism diagnosis can be used as evidence for this. You can find out more about workplace adjustments here.

How much does a private autism assessment for an adult cost?

The cost of an adult autism assessment with us ranges between £1995 and £2095, depending on whether you choose a fully online assessment or the in-person option. You can find out more here.

Private Adult Autism Assessment

Private Adult autism assessment

A private adult autism assessment can provide clarity, understanding and validation for adults who have spent much of their lives feeling different, misunderstood or exhausted by masking. Many autistic adults are not identified until later in life, particularly women and high-masking individuals, and often begin to question whether autism could explain their experiences.

NICE-compliant
No GP referral needed
Appointments within 3 weeks
18 clinics across England and Wales, plus fully online

At Jo Condon Autism Assessments, we provide NICE-compliant private autism assessments for adults across the UK. Our assessments are thorough, evidence-based and neuro-affirming, offering clear diagnostic outcomes, detailed clinical reports and practical recommendations to support you moving forward.

All assessments are completed by experienced clinicians using nationally recognised, gold-standard diagnostic tools Choosing a private adult autism assessment allows you to access a timely, personalised and confidential diagnostic process without NHS waiting lists or the need for a GP referral.

We know that deciding whether to pursue an assessment can feel daunting, so we start with free autism screening and a clinical review of your background information before anything is booked. If what you tell us does not suggest autistic characteristics, we will say so openly and honestly, at no cost.

Take Our Free Online Screening Test make an enquiry

Is an an adult autism assessmentright for me?

A private adult autism assessment may be helpful if you have begun to notice patterns in your thinking, communication, or sensory experiences that feel different from those around you. Many adults reach this point after years of coping, masking or attributing their difficulties to anxiety, depression or stress.

A private autism assessment for adults may be appropriate if you:

Suspect you may be autistic and want professional confirmation
Have spent years feeling misunderstood or “different”
Find social interaction exhausting or confusing, despite appearing confident
Experience sensory sensitives that impact daily life
Are struggling in relationships and want others to better understand your needs
Have a child or family member who is autistic and recognise similarities in yourself
Have received a mental health diagnosis that does not fully explain your experiences
Require evidence to support workplace adjustments or accommodations
Need a diagnostic report for legal, occupational, or advocacy purposes

We are experienced in assessing adults of all genders and backgrounds, including those who identify as high masking, late diagnosed, or who have co-occurring mental health difficulties.

Take Our Free Online Screening Test

How much does a private adult autism assessment cost?

We provide clear and transparent pricing for our private adult autism assessments, with payment options available.

View assessment fees and payment options here.

View Assessment Fees

Why choose a private Adult autism assessment

A private adult autism assessment has two key purposes: to identify whether your lifelong experiences and patterns of behaviour are consistent with autism, and to consider whether these differences could be better explained by another condition or set of circumstances.

A private adult autism assessment may be the right option for you if you are seeking:

No NHS waiting lists, allowing you to move forward without prolonged uncertainty
Faster assessment and diagnostic outcomes, with clear timeframes
A personalised, adult-focused approach, with communication adapted to your needs
No GP referral required, enabling you to self-refer directly
Clear advice and recommendations that are not restricted by local NHS policies
A confidential and neuro-affirming process, delivered by experienced clinicians

At Jo Condon Autism Assessments, our private adult autism assessments follow NICE guidelines and are completed using gold-standard diagnostic tools. Our aim is not simply to provide a diagnostic outcome, but to ensure you leave the process with a clear understanding of yourself and practical recommendations that are genuinely useful in your day-to-day life.

Choosing a private adult autism assessment can be an important step towards self-understanding, validation and access to appropriate support, whether in the workplace, in relationships, or in planning your next steps.

Signs of autism in Adults (ASD)

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition present from birth. However, many autistic adults are not identified in childhood, particularly women and individuals who mask their differences. It is common for autistic adults to only recognise the signs later in life.

Autistic adults typically experience differences in two core areas:

Difficulties in social communication and interaction

Restricted and repetitive behaviours and sensory differences

This may include feeling anxious or uncertain in social situations, rehearsing conversations in advance, finding phone calls difficult, or avoiding social gatherings. You may manage social interaction outwardly but feel drained or overwhelmed afterwards. Restricted and repetitive behaviours and sensory differences

You may struggle with unexpected change, rely on routines to feel regulated, develop intense interests, or feel overhwlemed by noise, light, textures or other sensory input. These differences can significanlt impact daily functioning, work and wellbeing.

You can find more detailed information here:

Read the full guide to the signs of Autism in Adults

Our NICE-compliant adult autism assessment process

Our private adult autism assessments follow the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring that every assessment is thorough, evidence-based and completed to nationally recognised standards.

Onboarding

You will be allocated a dedicated assessment coordinator who will support you throughout your assessment journey. They will gather your details, set you up on our secure system and remain your point of contact and every stage.

Background Information Gathering and Pre-Screening

We will ask you to complete screening questionnaires and provide background information about your experiences. These can be completed on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

A clinician will carefully review this information to ensure that an autism assessment is appropriate. If autism is not indicated, we will discuss this openly with you. We do not want you to pay for an assessment you do not need.

Assessment Sessions

Your assessment includes two clinical sessions:

A direct observational assessment
A diagnostic history interview, completed with you or an informant who knew you in childhood

We use gold-standard diagnostic tools, including:

Autism Diagnostic Observational Assessment – 2nd Edition (ADOS-2)
Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-r)
Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA)

Different clinicians complete each part of the assessment to ensure a balanced and objective outcome.

Multi-Disciplinary Review

All information is reviewed by our multi-disciplinary clincial team, including screening results, assessment observations and history.

This includes:

Information provided by your informant
Results from screening questionnaires
Observations from the assessment sessions
Scores and findings from the assessment sessions

The team will carefully decide whether the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder are met and what recommendations will be most helpful.

Report and Feedback

You will receive a detailed diagnostic report outlining the assessment process, findings, and outcome. A feedback session is then offered to discuss the report, answer questions, and explore your next steps.

Will a private autism diagnosis be recognised by the NHS and my employer?

The NHS will accept a private autism assessment provided it has been completed robustly and in line with national standards. To be recognised, an assessment must:

Meet NICE guidelines
Be completed by appropriately registered clinicians (HCPC, NMC and equivalent)
Produce a comprehensive diagnostic report

Ours meet all three.

Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments so that employees are not put at a disadvantage because of a disability, and some will ask for evidence. Your diagnostic report can be used for that purpose. You will also receive a summary outcome letter, so you can share the diagnosis with an employer or another organisation without disclosing detailed personal information.

More on wheather a private autism assessment is accepted by the NHS

Your Autism assessment report includes

You receive a detailed diagnostic report setting out the process, the evidence, the clinical reasoning and the outcome, together with personalised recommendations. A shorter summary outcome letter is provided as well, for situations where you want to share the diagnosis without sharing the detail.

The report will include:

Covering letter highlighting the diagnostic outcome
A summary of the DSM-5 criteria that have been met or are unmet
Presenting concerns
Screening scores
Developmental, medical and family history
ADOS-2 and ADI-R or ACIA findings
Multi-disciplinary clinical reasoning
Diagnostic outcome
Personalised recommendations and next steps
A list of relevant resources

Many people choose to share their report so that others can understand their differences and make appropriate adjustments.

Start Your Autism Assessment

The benefits of an autism diagnosis

An autism diagnosis is not ‘just a label’. For many adults, it provides relief, validation and a new understanding of lifelong experiences. It can support self-acceptance, help you recognise your strengths, and guide you in making adjustments that improve wellbeing.

An autism diagnosis can also help others, including employers, partners and professionals, to better understand and support you. It may be used to support reasonable workplace adjustments or applicants for financial or occupational support.

If you are unsure whether an assessment is right for you, you can complete a free adult autism screening.

Book your autism assessment

Being assessed for autism and ADHD together

If you recognise traits of both autism and ADHD, often described as AuDHD, you can be assessed for both in one NICE-compliant combined assessment rather than going through two separate processes. If you are not sure which applies to you, our free pre-screening will tell you which assessment fits, at no cost and with no obligation.

Adult Combined Autism and ADHD Assessment

Why choose Jo Condon Autism Assessments

We specialise in private adult autism assessments delivered with care, clarity and clinical rigour. Our approach is compassionate, neuro-affirming and centred on your indivdiual experience.

Our clinicians:

Hold professional qualifications and registrations (e.g. HCPC)
Have enhanced DBS clearance
Are specifically trained in adult autism diagnostics
Have extensive experience across diverse adults presentations, including:
High masking adults
Women and gender-diverse individuals
Co-occurring mental health conditions
Trauma-informed presentations

We offer:

NICE-compliant, NHS-accepted autism and ADHD assessments
A dedicated coordinator as your point of contact throughout your journey
Free adult autism screening
Appointments within 3 weeks
Flexible appointment scheduling
Report turnaround within 2 – 4 weeks

Make an enquiry

Our autism assessment clinics

Use the map and search below to find your nearest clinic. Filter by region to explore locations across England and Wales, and view contact details for each.

Not sure where to start?

Our free autism screening takes a few minutes, costs nothing, and gives one of our clinicians enough to tell you honestly whether an assessment is the right next step for you.

Take Our Free Online Screening Test make an enquiry

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a private adult autism assessment be recognised by the NHS and other organisations?
The NHS will accept private autism assessments as long as they have been completed robustly and in line with national standards. As long as you use a reputable company, such as ourselves, you can be assured that your assessment, report and diagnostic outcome are evidence-based and will be recognised by other services.
To be recognised, an assessment must:
- Meet NICE guidelines
- Be completed by appropriately registered clinicians (HCPC, NMC, etc.)
- Produce a comprehensive diagnostic report
You can read more about whether a private autism assessment will be recognised in our information section here.
Are your adult autism assessments NICE-compliant?
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) sets out the expected standards for autism assessments in its NICE Guidelines. Our adult autism assessments follow NICE guidelines; therefore, you can be assured that our autism assessments are NICE compliant. You can find out more about the NICE guidelines here.
Is your team experienced in assessing women?
Our clinicians are highly experienced in assessing complex autism presentations, including women who may be high-masking. You can rest assured we are skilled in female autism presentations.
What if I don't have an informant that knew me as a child?
There are different approaches that can be used to gather the information needed for an autism assessment. If you do not have someone who knew you as a child, or do not want your parents involved in your assessment, we can gather information about your childhood directly from you. We can also use an informant who knows you as an adult, such as a partner or good friend. You can find out more here.
Do you offer combined autism and ADHD assessments for adults?
If you are experiencing traits of both autism and ADHD, often refrred to as AuDHD, you may want to be assessed for both conditions. We provide NICE compliant combined autism and ADHD assessments for adults, you can find out more about the AuDHD assessment process here.
What if I’m unsure whether I need an autism or ADHD assessment, or both?
If you are not sure whether your experiences point to autism, ADHD or both, our free pre-screening process is designed to help. You provide us with some background information, and one of our clinicians reviews it and advises which assessment — if any — is the right fit for you. There is no cost or obligation at this stage, and the aim is simply to make sure you are pointed towards the most appropriate assessment. Feel free to contact us to discuss.
Do I need a GP referral?
You do not need a referral from your GP or another professional to access an autism assessment with us. You can self-refer by completing our online form, calling or emailing us.
Will you be able to diagnose other conditions when conducting an adult autism assessment?
We cannot diagnose other conditions during an autism assessment, but if we see signs of other potential conditions, we will recommend further assessment for these. During an autism assessment, we gather extensive information about your life experiences. Within this information, we may see patterns of behaviours or experiences that point to another condition co-occurring alongside autism, such as ADHD or OCD. If this is the case, we will discuss this with you and make appropriate recommendations.
I am high-masking, I am worried that you will not see my autism during an assessment?
Camouflaging and masking are strategies used by many autistic people to hide their differences. Our clinicians are specialists and observe the nuances of social communication and interactions during the assessment. Whilst autistic characteristics may not be obvious to untrained adults, our team will be able to recognise the signs. You can find out more here.
Can I use a private autism diagnosis for workplace adjustments?
Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for employees with a disability. They must ensure that employees are not at a disadvantage because of their disability. Some employers will require proof of the disability, and your private autism diagnosis can be used as evidence for this. You can find out more about workplace adjustments here.
How much does a private autism assessment for an adult cost?
The cost of an adult autism assessment with us ranges between £1995 and £2095, depending on whether you choose a fully online assessment or the in-person option. You can find out more here.

Private Adult Autism Assessment

Private Adult autism assessment

Is an an adult autism assessmentright for me?

How much does a private adult autism assessment cost?

Why choose a private Adult autism assessment

Signs of autism in Adults (ASD)

Difficulties in social communication and interaction

Restricted and repetitive behaviours and sensory differences

You can find more detailed information here:

Our NICE-compliant adult autism assessment process

Onboarding

Background Information Gathering and Pre-Screening

Assessment Sessions

Multi-Disciplinary Review

Report and Feedback

Will a private autism diagnosis be recognised by the NHS and my employer?

Your Autism assessment report includes

The benefits of an autism diagnosis

Being assessed for autism and ADHD together

Why choose Jo Condon Autism Assessments

Our autism assessment clinics

Birmingham

Bristol

Cardiff

Doncaster

Exeter

Huntingdon

London

Manchester

Newport

Nottingham

Sheffield

Swansea

Swindon

Thirsk

Worksop

York

Newcastle upon Tyne

Rugeley