Autism Assessments

Leamington Psychology offers comprehensive, private autism assessments for those aged 16 and over, covering Warwickshire and the wider UK. Our assessments are conducted by an experienced multidisciplinary team following current NICE guidance, and can be completed online or in-person at our clinic.

Receiving an autism assessment can be a significant and life-changing step. If you've spent years feeling different, struggling to understand yourself, or wondering whether autism might explain some of your experiences, we're here to help you find that clarity — with a process designed to be transparent, accessible, and supportive throughout.

Many of the people we assess have spent years wondering why certain aspects of life seem more difficult than they appear to be for others. Others have built successful careers and relationships, but continue to experience exhaustion from masking, social confusion, sensory sensitivities, or difficulties managing change and uncertainty.

Do these experiences sound familiar?

You may be considering an autism assessment if you:

  • Have always felt different from others but struggled to understand why
  • Find social situations confusing, exhausting, or unpredictable
  • Feel you spend significant energy masking or adapting to fit in
  • Experience sensory sensitivities that affect daily life
  • Prefer routine and predictability and find unexpected change difficult
  • Have long suspected you may be autistic and would like clarity
  • Are going through a significant life transition and want a clearer understanding of yourself
  • Have a family member who has recently been diagnosed and are now wondering whether autism might also explain your own experiences

Our aim is not simply to determine whether diagnostic criteria are met. The assessment process is also an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of your strengths, challenges, and personal experiences. Many people find it brings a sense of clarity that feels meaningful regardless of the outcome.

Why choose Leamington Psychology?

  • Led by an experienced Clinical Psychologist
  • Collaborative team approach drawing on multiple professional perspectives
  • Extensive experience assessing autism in both NHS and independent settings
  • Online and in-person appointments available
  • Comprehensive written report included
  • Typical completion time of 2–4 weeks, from screening to diagnostic outcome

If you'd like to find out more, we'd love to hear from you. We're always happy to answer questions and help you decide whether an assessment might be right for you.

Our Staged Approach

Our assessment is structured across five stages, designed to be transparent and thorough at every step.

This initial stage involves completing a set of confidential forms and providing relevant background information via our 'screening pack'. It helps us understand your situation and advise whether a full assessment is the most appropriate next step for you.

If the screening suggests your difficulties may be better explained by a different presentation or do not meet our assessment thresholds, we will discuss this with you openly.

You will receive a letter confirming the screening outcome and recommendations, plus a phone call to discuss further if this is preferred.

Fee: £150

The diagnostic assessment is conducted online or in-person using recognised diagnostic tools, ensuring a clinically robust and thorough outcome. This stage comprises two parts:

• Structured tasks and topic discussion — approximately 1 hour
• Clinical interview and mental health review — approximately 3–4 hours

Having access to a developmental informant (usually a parent or someone who knew you as a child) can be a helpful part of the assessment. We understand this isn't always possible in adulthood, and we're experienced in working with alternative evidence, such as accounts from a partner or old school reports.

Fee: £1,200

Once the clinical interviews and observations are complete, your assessment data is formally reviewed by our multidisciplinary team during which your profile is considered against the formal diagnostic criteria (ICD-11). This MDT approach is required by NICE guidelines and ensures every outcome is clinically rigorous and well-rounded.

Included in the assessment fee.

Following the consensus review, you will receive a comprehensive written report including your outcome, clinical formulation, and personalised recommendations. This is a formal clinical document.

Included in the assessment fee.

We offer an optional follow-up session to discuss your report, answer any questions, and explore next steps whether that's accessing support, disclosing to an employer, or simply having more time to process your outcome.

Optional follow-up fee: £150

Total cost (Stages 1–4): £1,350 — with an optional follow-up available at £150.

The typical timeline from Stage 1 to receiving your report is 2–4 weeks, depending on availability and the complexity of your assessment.

The Team

Dr Greg Smith is a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience supporting neurodivergent individuals throughout his career. Over recent years, he has worked extensively as a lead diagnostician for major NHS-contracted providers responsible for conducting complex autism assessments, leading clinical discussions, and ensuring that every individual receives an outcome that is not only accurate but deeply respectful of their lived experience.

Bringing this expertise into private practice combines the rigorous, NICE-compliant standards of the NHS with a more personalised and accessible service. The goal is to move beyond box-ticking and to provide a process that genuinely helps clients understand their unique cognitive profile and navigate their futures with clarity.

All assessments are reviewed by our multidisciplinary consensus team before any diagnosis is confirmed. This MDT approach is a requirement of NICE guidelines and ensures every outcome reflects a broad range of clinical perspectives.

Our MDT Associates include:

  • Dr Jess Page — Clinical Psychologist
  • Dr Corran Moore — Clinical Psychologist
  • Jess McTear — Advanced Clinical Practitioner
  • Jadie Hutchin — Specialist Social Worker
  • Julia Salisbury — Neurodiversity Mental Health Advisor

Clinical Considerations

To ensure we provide the highest quality of care, there are some circumstances where a private online or in-person assessment may not be the most appropriate option. We will always discuss this with you openly during the screening stage.

  • If you are currently in a mental health crisis, or have an unmanaged condition such as active psychosis or severe substance misuse, it is usually best to stabilise these first to ensure an accurate assessment outcome.
  • For individuals with significant intellectual disabilities, a specialist face-to-face multidisciplinary assessment is more appropriate.
  • Our assessments are for clinical and personal use. If you require an assessment for court or forensic proceedings, a specialist forensic service will be more appropriate.
  • If the screening stage suggests your difficulties may be better explained by a different presentation, or that a full assessment is not the most suitable next step, we will discuss this with you clearly before any further fees are incurred.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you'd like to find out more or begin the screening process, you can get in touch via our contact form. We're happy to answer any questions before you commit to anything. If you're happy to get going, please use the contact form to request the screening pack.

Get in Touch

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We provide private autism assessments for clients across Warwickshire, including Leamington Spa, Warwick, Rugby, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding areas. Assessments can also be completed online for anyone across the UK.

No. 'Right to Choose' is a specific NHS pathway where the health service funds an assessment with a private provider. We are a fully private, independent service — fees are paid directly by the client or through private health insurance. Because we operate independently of NHS contracts, we are typically able to offer significantly shorter waiting times and a more consistent, personalised experience.

No. As a private service, you can self-refer directly. We do encourage you to let your GP know, so they can keep your medical records updated and support any broader healthcare needs.

Yes, provided the assessment is NICE-compliant. Because our assessments are conducted by a registered Practitioner Psychologist using a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, your report is a formal clinical document recognised by the NHS, the Department for Work and Pensions, employers, and educational institutions.

Choosing a private assessment does not automatically remove you from your local NHS waiting list. Many clients choose to proceed privately to gain clarity and access support sooner, while remaining on the NHS list for ongoing community-based services.

Yes. For online, we use high-quality video conferencing to ensure the clinical observation is as robust as an in-person meeting, while allowing you to remain in a comfortable, familiar environment.

Our staged process is designed to be ethical and transparent. If the initial screening suggests your difficulties may be better explained by something other than autism, we will provide clear and honest feedback.

We currently specialise in autism assessments for adults. If traits are identified during the process that may suggest ADHD, we will highlight this in your report so you can seek a specific ADHD evaluation. While there is growing research supporting the assessment of both conditions concurrently, this is not currently a widely utilised approach.

The typical timeline from completing the Stage 1 screening to receiving your written report is 2–4 weeks. This can vary depending on availability, the complexity of your assessment, and how quickly any additional information can be gathered.

Many insurers do cover neurodevelopmental assessments, but it depends on your specific policy. We recommend contacting your provider in advance to confirm whether they will cover a "Private MDT-led Autism Assessment by a registered Psychologist."

This is an understandable concern. For many people, seeking an assessment comes after years of feeling different, struggling to explain their experiences, or searching for clarity so an outcome that doesn't confirm their expectations can feel deflating, or even like a loss.

It's important to know that a non-diagnostic outcome doesn't mean your experiences aren't real, or that you haven't struggled. What it means is that, based on the information gathered, the clinical picture doesn't meet the threshold for an autism diagnosis. In these cases, our report will always include a clear explanation of the findings, and where possible, will highlight what might better explain your experiences. We won't leave you without a way forward.

If you were to feel strongly that the outcome doesn't reflect your experience, you are always entitled to seek a second opinion. We would never discourage that.

Further Resources

We've collated some helpful resources below, organised by topic.

Clinical & NHS Guidance

Support & Community

Work & Education

  • Access to Work

    A government grant scheme that can fund practical workplace support for autistic people, including specialist equipment or job coaching.

  • Acas — Neurodiversity at Work

    Guidance for employees and employers on rights, reasonable adjustments, and neuro-inclusive workplaces.

  • Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

    For those entering higher education, this explains how a formal diagnosis can unlock funding for study support.

  • IPSEA

    A leading charity in the field of SEND law and support in England.