How long is the NHS autism assessment waiting list in Inverness?
According to the Highland Council, more than 2,000 children and young people are waiting for assessment through The Pines (NDAS) in Inverness, with current waits of around three years. For adults, NHS Highland has been identified in Scottish Parliament briefings as one of three Scottish health boards with maximum adult assessment waits of over five years. Our private service has no waiting list.
How much does a private autism assessment cost for Inverness patients?
Our private autism assessment is £1,500 paid in full, or available on a monthly payment plan from £375 per month. The fee includes the full diagnostic pathway and your written report. If you'd like both autism and ADHD assessed together, a combined assessment is £1,950 pay-in-full or £487 per month — more cost-effective than booking each separately.
Do Inverness patients need to travel for the assessment?
No — most Highland patients are assessed entirely online via secure video. Adult assessments are routinely completed remotely. For children, parent interviews and feedback sessions are online; only the direct child observation may require an in-person visit to our Edinburgh or Glasgow clinic, depending on the case. We work hard to minimise travel for Highland families.
Do I need a GP referral for a private autism assessment?
No. You can self-refer directly to our service. We will, however, request your consent to liaise with your Inverness or Highland GP to ensure continuity of care and to support shared care arrangements after diagnosis.
Is a private autism diagnosis recognised by NHS Highland and schools?
Yes. Our diagnoses are provided by GMC-registered consultant psychiatrists who are members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, using DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 criteria and SIGN 145 standards. Reports are accepted by NHS Scotland, Highland schools, employers and the DWP.
Can adults be diagnosed with autism for the first time?
Yes. A large proportion of our adult patients are diagnosed for the first time in their 20s, 30s, 40s or later. This is particularly common in women and individuals with strong masking abilities, whose autistic traits were not recognised in childhood. Adult-first diagnosis is one of our specialist areas.
Do you assess both autism and ADHD?
Yes. Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur, and we are one of the few private clinics serving the Highlands that can assess both within a single consultant-led pathway. For Inverness patients this is particularly valuable, as no local Highland private provider offers combined adult autism and ADHD assessment.
How long does the autism assessment process take?
From your first appointment to receiving the written report, the full process typically takes between two and six weeks, depending on your availability for clinical sessions and how quickly informant information can be gathered.
