Private Autism Assessment in London
Comprehensive Autism Assessments for Adults, Teenagers and Children
At Regal Private Therapy Practice, we provide gold-standard private autism assessments in central London for adults, adolescents and children.
All assessments are conducted by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience in both NHS and private autism diagnostic services, ensuring the process is thorough, evidence-based and clinically robust.
Our goal is to help you gain clarity, understanding and the right support. Whether you are seeking an autism assessment for yourself, your child, or a teenager in your family, we provide a careful and compassionate diagnostic process using internationally recognised tools, including ADOS-2 and ADI-R.
If you are unsure whether an autism assessment is right for you, we offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a Clinical Psychologist to discuss your concerns and guide you through the next steps.
What is Autism?
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world around them. It is described as a spectrum because each individual’s presentation is unique, with a wide variation in strengths, challenges and support needs.
Autism is described as a spectrum because people experience it in different ways. Some individuals require significant support in daily life, while others live independently but may still experience challenges with social communication, sensory processing, or change.
Many autistic individuals also have unique strengths, such as:
Exceptional focus and attention to detail
Strong analytical thinking
Deep specialist interests
Creative or innovative problem-solving
A professional autism assessment at Regal Private Therapy Practice can help clarify whether autism explains your experiences and provide guidance on the best support, adjustments and strategies moving forward.
Signs and Characteristics of Autism
Autism presents differently for every individual. However, clinicians typically look for patterns in two key areas: social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviours.
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Autistic individuals may experience differences in how they communicate or understand others.
This may include:
Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
Challenges interpreting tone of voice, facial expressions or body language
Taking language very literally
Finding small talk or unstructured social interaction exhausting
Some people may also prefer clear, direct communication rather than implied meanings or social conventions.
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Autism can also affect how individuals experience relationships and social environments.
This might include:
Finding social cues confusing or unpredictable
Preferring structured or smaller social interactions
Feeling overwhelmed in busy environments
Finding eye contact uncomfortable
These differences do not mean someone lacks empathy or interest in others. Rather, autistic individuals often experience and express social connection in different ways.
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Autistic individuals often find comfort in predictability, structure and routines.
Common characteristics may include:
A strong preference for routine or familiar environments
Distress when routines change unexpectedly
Highly focused interests or hobbies
Repetitive behaviours or movements
Sensory sensitivities (for example to noise, light, textures, smells or taste)
Understanding these patterns through a clinical autism assessment helps identify the most appropriate support.
Autism in Children, Teenagers and Adults
Though the autism diagnostic criteria remains the same for everyone, autism can look different at every stage of life. From childhood through adulthood, and across genders, the signs and experiences may vary.
At Regal Private Therapy Practice, our HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists, Dr Bradley Powell and Dr Ashleigh Powell, are highly skilled in recognising nuanced presentations or more subtle signs of autism, particularly in high masking individuals, ensuring that nothing is overlooked during assessment.
Autism in Children
In younger children, autism may be noticed through differences in:
May show as delayed speech or language development
May prefer to talk ‘at’ people than with them, focusing on own topics of interest
May show a preference for activity-based play over imaginative play or may play repetitively (such as lining up toys)
Difficulties making friends or being perceived as bossy in play
Distress at sudden changes in routine
May display unusual movements such as hand-flapping, rocking or pacing, especially if excited or overwhelmed
Early identification can help ensure appropriate educational and developmental support. With the right support, children can thrive. Early recognition is key.
Autism in Teenagers
Adolescence brings new academic and social demands, and autism symptoms may become more noticeable.
Increasingly visible through social challenges in school or peer groups.
May experience heightened anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or withdrawal as demands grow.
May feel unsure how to act in social settings.
May copy the body language or facial expressions of peers or TV characters to blend in.
May feel exhausted at the end of the school day from socialising, requiring long periods of alone time to recover.
Stimming behaviours my be concealed in public
This stage can be particularly stressful for families, but a clear assessment helps everyone understand what’s happening and strategies for support.
Autism in Adults
Often appears as lifelong struggles with communication, or social connection or organisation.
Many adults seek assessment after recognising patterns of burnout, masking, or misdiagnosis earlier in life.
Many adults seek an autism assessment after their child receives a diagnosis due to recognising similar traits within themselves.
Recognising autism in adulthood can be life-changing, validating their struggles and offering understanding and practical strategies for success.
Our Autism Assessment Process in London
At Regal Private Therapy Practice, our autism assessments follow a structured, multi-method diagnostic process aligned with NICE guidelines.
This involves gathering evidence from multiple sources to ensure the assessment is accurate, comprehensive and clinically reliable. Our assessment process includes clinical interviews, developmental history, standardised diagnostic tools, behavioural observations, and psychological questionnaires.
Our HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists are highly experienced in conducting autism assessments in both the NHS and private settings.
As part of the assessment, we also consider whether there are other factors that may explain the symptoms or whether there are additional mental health or co-ocurring neurodevelopmental challenges, such as ADHD, with autism to provide a complete and holistic picture.
Private Autism Assessment Cost
At Regal Private Therapy Practice, the cost of a comprehensive private autism assessment is £1,950.
This fee includes the full diagnostic pathway and covers all components required for a thorough and reliable diagnosis. The report can be shared with GPs, schools, universities or employers where appropriate to support reasonable adjustments or access to services.
Many people choose a private autism assessment to avoid long NHS waiting lists, which can sometimes exceed 12–24 months in some areas of the UK.
At Regal Private Therapy Practice, we aim to offer appointments within weeks, allowing you or your child to gain clarity and support much sooner.
If you are unsure whether an autism assessment is right for you, we recommend starting with a complimentary consultation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Autism Assessment
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Step 1: Initial Consultation
Book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our Clinical Psychologists.
During this call we will:
• Discuss your concerns and experiences
• Explain the autism assessment process
• Discuss your concerns and experiences
• Help you decide whether an assessment is appropriateIf you wish to proceed, we will schedule your assessment appointments at a time convenient for you.
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Step 2: Questionnaires and Background Information
Before your assessment appointment, we will send standardised questionnaires to complete.
These help us gather detailed information about:
• Developmental history
• Current Experiences
• Social communication patterns
• Emotional wellbeingWhere appropriate, we may ask a parent, partner or family member to provide additional information.
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Step 3: Diagnostic Assessment (ADOS-2 and ADI-R)
Your assessment includes two internationally recognised diagnostic tools.
1. ADOS-2 Assessment
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) is a structured assessment conducted in person at our clinic.
2. ADI-R Developmental Interview
The Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) is a detailed developmental history completed with a parent or someone who knew the individual during childhood.
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Step 4: Clinical Team Review
Following the assessment, both clinicians review and co-score the results.
This collaborative process ensures the diagnosis is accurate, reliable and based on multiple professional perspectives.
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Step 5: Feedback, Diagnostic Report and Recommendations
You will receive a feedback appointment lasting 30–60 minutes, where we explain:
• Whether the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder are met
• Key findings from the assessment
• Personalised recommendationsYou will also receive a comprehensive diagnostic report, which can be shared with GPs, schools or universities, employers or support services.
If autism is not the primary explanation, we will guide you towards appropriate next steps and support options.
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Step 6: Post-Diagnostic Support
Following assessment, Regal Private Therapy Practice offers neuroaffirmative support for autistic adults, teenagers and families.
This may include:
• Post-diagnostic counsellingPost-diagnostic counselling
• Psychological therapy
• Support for autistic burnout
• Guidance around workplace or educational adjustments
• Strategies for managing sensory or social challengesOur focus is on helping individuals understand their neurodivergence and build a life that works for them.
Contact Our Clinical Team Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Autism Assessments
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You may wish to consider an autism assessment if you or your child experience ongoing differences in:
Social communication or understanding social cues
Sensory sensitivities (such as noise, lights or textures)
Strong preferences for routine or predictability
Highly focused interests
Feeling socially exhausted or needing to mask behaviours
Many adults seek an autism diagnosis after recognising lifelong patterns that were previously misunderstood or attributed to anxiety, shyness or personality.
A professional assessment can help clarify whether autism is the best explanation for these experiences.
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Yes. Many people receive an autism diagnosis in adulthood.
In the past, autism was often only recognised in children with more obvious support needs. As understanding of autism has improved, more adults are recognising patterns in their own experiences and seeking an assessment.
An adult autism diagnosis can provide:
A clearer understanding of lifelong experiences
Access to workplace adjustments
Validation and self-understanding
Guidance for managing stress, burnout or social fatigue
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Both ADOS-2 and ADI-R are internationally recognised diagnostic tools used in gold-standard autism assessments.
ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
This is an in-person assessment where clinicians observe communication, interaction and behavioural patterns.ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview)
This is a detailed developmental interview conducted with a parent or someone who knew the individual during childhood.Using both tools together helps ensure the diagnosis is accurate, comprehensive and evidence-based.
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Yes. Autism in women and girls has historically been under-recognised and frequently missed.
Many autistic women develop strong masking or camouflaging behaviours, where they consciously or unconsciously adapt their behaviour to fit social expectations.
This can include:
Rehearsing conversations in advance
Mimicking social behaviours of others
Suppressing natural responses in social situations
Appearing socially confident but feeling internally overwhelmed
Because of this masking, many women are not diagnosed until late adolescence or adulthood.
Specialist autism assessments by experienced clinicians are important to recognise these more subtle presentations.
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Once your autism assessment is complete and all questionnaires are returned, we provide a comprehensive written report within 2 weeks.
Reports include diagnostic outcome, clinical formulation, and tailored treatment recommendations.
This report is suitable to share with GPs, schools, universities, or workplaces if adjustments or support are required.
Fast turnaround means you can move forward quickly with support, or workplace accommodations.
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No. You do not need a GP referral to book a private autism assessment.
You can contact Regal Private Therapy Practice directly to arrange a free consultation with a Clinical Psychologist.
However, some people choose to inform their GP after receiving a diagnosis so it can be included in their medical records.
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NHS waiting lists for autism assessments can sometimes exceed 12 to 24 months.
Private autism assessments typically offer much faster access, with appointments often available within a few weeks.
At Regal Private Therapy Practice, we aim to offer same-week appointments, so individuals and families can gain clarity, understanding and support without long delays.