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In conversation with Sarah Gelli – Speech & Language Therapist
Sarah Gelli is a Principal Speech and Language Therapist working for Oxleas NHS Trust in Greenwich and within the private sector.
In this video, we discuss the challenges parents of finding the right courses of advice.
In Conversation with Sarah
So full disclosure, I have three children of my own. And the thing that surprised me when I became a parent that I hadn’t anticipated was the moment that my bundle of joy arrived. I suddenly found there were so many voices from every angle telling me how to do it right. And they all seemed to contradict, and all the opinions seemed to sit in juxtaposition to each other.
And in the middle, I had this tiny human, and I didn’t know what to do. And I just want to recognise that that is true for all parents. So if you’re a parent of a child who’s got a diagnosis of autism, no matter how recent that is, you will be bombarded with people with a thousand different opinions, and some of them will contradict.
Some of them will just be confusing. Some of them you won’t understand. In the middle of all of it, there’s you and your child, and at your job, as parents is always to work out and to filter what we hear, to work out what things match our worldview, and what things sit well with our ethical ethos as a family.
What things work well for our child, and what things work well in our connection with them and the world around us. And that is, I think, that if your child is autistic, that probably feels like it’s accentuated because you’ve got an extra lens in your parenting. But I actually think that’s true of all parenting. So actually, even as people from Autism Clinic London, we will respond to your child and you might hear one of us say something in one way, and the next time somebody else might say in a different way, that’s because we all bring the whole of ourselves to work.
We all bring our own experiences, we all bring our own angles, and our job is just to filter through that and think, I’m going to hold that one’s going to stick. Let me try that. Let me try this. Let’s see how it works. I would always advise parents to choose one thing you want to focus on and to be consistent with that, rather than feeling like you’re going to try every other thing.
Sometimes you do one piece of advice. Hold it. Try it and choose not to listen to anything else until you know you’ve given it or they’d try. I think sometimes a risk can be you hear something, you give it a go, and then you look on Insta and someone else is saying something different and you suddenly taken about turn.
And sometimes we just don’t do the same thing for long enough to know whether it helped or not. So I think that is a really important role for any parent. And I think sometimes it’s helpful to remember that while autism adds a layer to that ultimate, parents are all on the same journey. We’re all doing our best. We’re all trying to work it out.
None of us gets to try again. So we all, we do our things. None of us gets to see how our kids would have turned out if we’d done it differently. We have to just have our own confidence that we’ve done the best we can with the information that we have, because we love our kids and we want them to be happy.
And so that’s our role at Autism Clinic London, to filter information for you, to bring you a balanced view of everything that’s out there and to allow you to make an informed decision for your child on what fits well for you. And that’s never going to be exactly the same as what works for another family. Any parent who walks in the door for an autism assessment with their child probably comes with a whole cocktail of emotions.
You come with questions, sometimes with doubts, with anxieties. And our hope and expectation is that in an Autism Clinic London assessment, you have a space where each of those can be heard, where that is safe, where we’ll believe what you say and where we’ll look with an accepting and affirming eye on your child and who they are.
Our hope is that you would leave this clinic space feeling heard, feeling validated, and actually have an understanding and a realisation that you’re not alone. I think sometimes one of the hardest things around parenting is that you can feel quite isolated or like the things you experience are so, so cataclysmic and different from what someone else experiences.
You feel like you have to hold that on your own. And in this clinic, I think you’ll find a space where clinicians say, ‘yeah, I know another family who has encountered that as well, I’ve heard this before. I’ve met another child like this’. I think that can be really, really helpful. I think having clarity about your child’s neurotype, having clarity about the way your child experiences the world.
Of course, it won’t change who your child is. You’re going to leave this clinic with exactly the same child you brought in – with all their personality, their individuality, their uniqueness as all human beings have. But what it will give you is an understanding and a language with which you can understand and relate to their world. It will give you access to a new set of information and frameworks that help you conceptualise your child, and I think it will give you a child in time, with their own access to a peer group of other children who are unique as well, but with some parallels to the way your child sees the world.
It gives you a chance to say ‘me too’. And sometimes me. I’d say ‘me too’ is all you need to be able to say to face tomorrow. And to know that you’re not on your own.
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FAQs
How long is the wait time for a children's private autism assessment?
For private assessments, we aim to arrange a pre-assessment with a Specialist Doctor within 72 hours. If a full autism assessment is recommended, all appointments are typically completed within 4 weeks. Some delays may occur for example if the educational placement is closed during the holiday period. A comprehensive report, including a diagnosis where appropriate, is usually delivered within 10 days of your final appointment.
If you are referred through your NHS Trust, timelines are similar, although this can vary depending on local demand.
Do I need a GP referral for a private autism assessment?
No, you do not need a GP referral to access our private autism assessment service. Your first step is a consultation with one of our Specialist Doctors, all of whom also work within the NHS. They will discuss your child’s needs, development, and any concerns you or their school may have. If appropriate, you will be offered a short video consultation to review your child’s needs in more detail and decide whether to proceed with a full assessment.
What is included in a private autism assessment?
A private autism assessment at Autism Clinic London includes a detailed developmental history, clinical observations, and a structured diagnostic ADOS assessment. Input from parents, caregivers, and educational placements may also be included to ensure a complete understanding of your child’s needs. All of our reports mirror those you would receive from an NHS assessment.
How much does a private autism assessment cost in the UK?
The cost of a private autism assessment varies depending on the provider and the complexity of the assessment. To compare costs from other providers our costs cover the initial consultation, full diagnostic assessment, and a detailed written report. Mostly, you will be charged over £2,000 with some private clinics charging up to £3,500. We work hard to deliver our assessments at a lower rate than most of the market without compromising on quality. For example, some providers will assess your child without meeting them face-to-face. We believe that for an assessment to be thorough, we have to see your child in person.
Is a private autism diagnosis recognised by the NHS and schools?
Yes, a private autism diagnosis carried out by Autism Clinic London is recognised by schools, the NHS and local authorities. All our assessments are carried out by our multi-disciplinary team who follow NICE guidelines.
Many schools and local authorities accept private reports to support EHCP applications and access to support services.
Do you do assessments for ADHD?
Although our clinicians do carry out ADHD assessments in their NHS practice, we do not currently offer ADHD assessments at Autism Clinic London. Our Autism Assessments do include a comprehensive report and will highlight if there are possible ADHD concerns, which can then be explored in future by your child’s local NHS trust or by another provider.
What age can a child be diagnosed with autism?
Children can be assessed for autism from around 18 months onwards. Early diagnosis can help children access the right support sooner, improving long-term outcomes. We see children aged between 2 and 14 years.
What are the signs that my child may need an autism assessment?
How accurate is a private autism assessment?
Private autism assessments are highly accurate when conducted by experienced clinicians using evidence-based diagnostic tools and NICE guidelines. The quality of the assessment depends on the expertise of the professionals involved and the thoroughness of the process. We are regulated, inspected and rated by CQC which ensures that you can depend on the quality of our assessments.
What happens after an autism diagnosis?
Can adults get a private autism assessment too?
Yes, many private services offer autism assessments for adults as well as children. The process is similar but tailored to adult experiences, including work, relationships, and mental health history. We are a specialist clinic that only assesses children.
Is a private autism assessment faster than the NHS?
Yes, private assessments are significantly faster. While NHS waiting lists can often exceed 12–24 months, a private assessment at Autism Clinic London will typically be completed within four weeks.
Will schools accept a private autism assessment report?
Schools should accept private autism assessment reports, particularly when completed by qualified clinicians who follow NICE guidelines. These reports can be used to support SEN planning and requests for additional support.
Can I use a private diagnosis to apply for an EHCP?
Yes, a private diagnosis can support an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) application. The report provides professional evidence of your child’s needs and recommended support.
What is the difference between screening and a full autism assessment?
A screening is an initial check to see whether autism may be present, while a full assessment is a comprehensive diagnostic process that can lead to a formal diagnosis. If you are concerned that your child has signs of Autism, please contact us and we can arrange an initial assessment in the first instance.
Do you offer online only autism assessments?
Some parts of the assessment process, such as initial consultations and diagnostic interviews with parent or carer, can be carried out online. However, a full diagnostic assessment will require in-person observation. Other providers may offer fully virtual assessments but such assessments do not meet our standards.
Why is an autism diagnosis important?
An autism diagnosis helps individuals and families understand their experiences, access appropriate support, and make informed decisions about education, healthcare, and daily life.
Does an autism diagnosis change anything?
A diagnosis doesn’t change who your child is, but it can open doors to support, reduce uncertainty, and provide clarity for families and professionals. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis, you can also access appropriate and targeted post-diagnostic care, which can help day-to-day life enormously.
Can a diagnosis help at school?
Yes, a diagnosis can help schools better understand your child’s needs and provide appropriate support, accommodations, and learning strategies. It can help inform an EHCP and a more complete approach to your child's educational needs.
