Adult Autism ( ASD ) - Assessment & Diagnosis Services

Gain Clarity, Understanding and the Right Support

If you've always felt different, struggled to understand social situations, found routines essential, or wondered whether autism could explain experiences you've had throughout your life, an autism assessment can provide answers.

At MHWS, we provide comprehensive private adult autism assessments delivered by an experienced multidisciplinary team using nationally recognised diagnostic standards. Our assessments are designed to give you a clear understanding of whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), along with personalised recommendations to help you move forward with confidence.

Whether you're seeking answers for yourself, your family, your workplace or your future, we're here to support you throughout the process.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often simply referred to as autism, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people experience and interact with the world around them.

Autistic people may experience differences in:

• Social communication and interaction style
• Understanding social situations and relationships
• Sensory sensitivities and preferences (such as noise, light or textures)
• Preference for routine and predictability
• Focused or highly specialised interests
• Processing emotions and change
• Repetitive behaviours and motor mannerisms

Every autistic person is different. Some people require significant day-to-day support, while others live independently but may have spent years masking their differences or wondering why everyday situations feel more challenging than they seem for others.

Autism often runs in families, and it is common for people to notice similar traits in siblings, parents or children.

Although autism is present from childhood, many adults are not recognised until later in life, as characteristics may be masked or simply not picked up on. Increased awareness means many people are now seeking assessment after years of feeling that something never quite "fit", or after a child or family member receives a diagnosis.

Autism does not present the same way in everyone. Traits can look different depending on gender, age and cultural background, and some traditional diagnostic approaches were developed primarily around presentations in men and boys - meaning autism in women, older adults and other groups can sometimes be missed or misunderstood.

Could an Autism Assessment Be Right for You?

Many adults seek an assessment after recognising lifelong patterns in themselves, or after years of struggling with things that seem to come more easily to others.

You may wish to consider an assessment if you:

• Have always felt different from those around you
• Find social situations confusing or exhausting
• Prefer routines and become distressed by unexpected change
• Experience sensory sensitivities
• Find it difficult to interpret social cues or maintain relationships
• Struggled at school despite trying hard, or found exams and structured environments difficult
• Have found it hard to get through job interviews, hold down a job, or felt you have to work much harder than colleagues just to keep up
• Have intense interests or hobbies
• Frequently feel you are "masking" your true self
• Have previously been diagnosed with anxiety, depression or ADHD but feel this does not fully explain your experiences
• Have a child or close family member who has recently been diagnosed with autism

Seeking an assessment is a personal choice. Some people seek an assessment to help understand themselves better, or to support others in understanding them. An assessment is not about labelling you - it is about helping you better understand yourself and access the most appropriate advice and support.

Benefits of Getting an Autism Assessment

Seeking an autism assessment is a personal decision, but for many people it can be life-changing.

A diagnosis can help you:

• Better understand your lifelong experiences
• Recognise your strengths as well as your challenges
• Improve self-acceptance and reduce self-blame
• Access appropriate support and services
• Request reasonable adjustments at work or in education
• Improve communication with family, friends and colleagues
• Connect with autism-specific resources and communities

Under the Equality Act 2010, autism is recognised as a disability, meaning many individuals are entitled to reasonable adjustments in education and the workplace.

Whether you choose to share your diagnosis with others or keep it private, a clearer understanding of yourself can still make life easier - improving relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Even if your assessment concludes that you do not meet the diagnostic criteria for autism, the process can still help provide clarity on your strengths and needs, and can identify other areas for further exploration. Our clinicians will explain their findings and advise whether another condition or assessment may better explain your experiences.

Why Choose a Private Assessment?

Private healthcare refers to health services you purchase directly with the provider (MHWS). Although MHWS also provides some services on behalf of the NHS for certain conditions, we offer our full range of autism assessment services privately too.

We understand that current NHS waiting times for an autism assessment exceed 16 months on average nationally, and can extend to several years in some areas.

Many people choose private healthcare because it offers:

• Shorter waiting times and quicker access to diagnosis and support
• Earlier answers and peace of mind
• Flexible appointment options
• Access to a wider range of therapies and support than may be available on the NHS
• Continuity of care throughout the assessment process

Receiving an earlier diagnosis can make it easier to access appropriate support and begin making positive changes sooner.

Why Choose MHWS?

Choosing an autism assessment is an important decision.

At MHWS we provide:

• No GP referral required - you can self-refer directly with us
• Comprehensive assessments following NICE guidance
• Diagnosis based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
• Experienced multidisciplinary clinicians
• Gold-standard assessment tools including ADOS-2 and ADI-R
• Face-to-face or online appointments, depending on your preference
• A CQC registered service
• A detailed diagnostic report with personalised recommendations
• A dedicated feedback appointment to discuss the diagnostic conclusion and answer your questions

Our assessments are led by a GMC-registered consultant psychiatrist, supported by a multidisciplinary team.

Diagnosing autism in adulthood requires a comprehensive assessment, as autistic traits are not always easy to separate from other conditions such as ADHD, depression, psychosis and bipolar disorder. Specialist training and experience is needed to reach a conclusive and reliable diagnosis.

Our approach is thorough, evidence-based and centred around understanding you as an individual rather than simply working through a checklist.

Our Assessment Process

Our assessment follows recognised national guidance and has been designed to ensure every diagnosis is robust, comprehensive and clinically reliable. Each of your appointments can be conducted in person or online, depending on your preference.

1. Booking and Pre-Assessment Questionnaires

At the time of booking, we'll send you some forms to complete, including some background questionnaires, which form part of your self-referral. Once these are returned, we'll usually schedule your assessment appointments within around three weeks, and will keep you informed of progress throughout.

2. ADOS-2 Assessment

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) is an interactive assessment lasting approximately 45–60 minutes. During this appointment we'll discuss your experiences and complete a number of structured activities designed to assess communication, social interaction and behaviour.

3. Developmental History (ADI-R)

Where possible, we ask an informant - someone who has known you since birth, such as a parent, or who knows you very well now - to take part in a structured discussion known as the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). This provides important information about your early development and usually takes around three hours.

If a childhood informant is unavailable, our clinicians will discuss alternative ways of gathering relevant developmental information.

4. Clinical Interview

This appointment allows us to get to know you better, including your current circumstances, education, employment, relationships and mental health, and to revisit and clarify any information gathered during the ADOS-2 or ADI-R.

This appointment usually lasts up to one hour.

5. Multidisciplinary Team Review

Following your appointments, the clinicians involved in your assessment meet to review all available evidence against the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and determine whether there is enough evidence to confirm a diagnosis of autism.

Occasionally we may request additional information if needed to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

A comprehensive diagnostic report is then prepared, summarising the evidence collected and confirming the diagnostic outcome.

6. Feedback Appointment

This is usually the appointment where you'll find out whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for autism, along with recommendations for further support. You'll meet with one of our clinicians to talk through the outcome of your assessment, review your report together, and ask any questions.

This appointment lasts up to 30 minutes. Your assessment report will be sent to you following this appointment.

Fees

A private adult autism assessment with MHWS costs: £1,750.00.

This fee includes:

• Pre-assessment questionnaires
• ADOS-2 assessment
• ADI-R interview
• Clinical interview
• Multidisciplinary team review
• Comprehensive diagnostic report
• Feedback appointment

Full payment is required prior to, or at the time of, booking your assessment.

Our reports can be shared with your GP, employer, university or other professionals should you choose to do so. Depending on your outcome, other therapies and support services may also be available through MHWS.

Cancelling or Rebooking an Appointment

Cancellations or rebooking requests must be made with at least 24 hours' notice, given during our working days (Monday–Friday, excluding bank holidays). For example, an appointment on Monday morning requires notice by the end of the preceding Friday, as we're unable to receive cancellation requests over the weekend.

Cancelling with less notice than this or failing to attend will incur a £50 administration fee. This may be waived in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Medical Director.

Next Steps

If you've been wondering whether autism may explain your experiences, seeking an assessment can be the first step towards greater understanding, clarity and support.

Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and guide you through every stage of the assessment process.

To arrange your Adult Autism Assessment or to discuss whether an assessment is right for you please contact us.