With NHS autism assessment waiting times in Kent running at 18–24 months or more, many families are considering private autism assessment in Kent. This guide covers what it costs, who provides it, whether the NHS will accept it, and whether it is the right decision for your family.
Before considering private autism assessment in Kent, it is worth understanding the NHS pathway. In Kent, children are typically referred by their GP to either:
Current waiting times across Kent NHS services for autism assessment run at approximately 18–24 months from referral to assessment. In some areas this is longer. This means a child referred at age 5 may not be assessed until age 7. That is two school years without a diagnosis, during which access to support — including EHCP applications — can be harder.
The decision to go private is usually driven by one or more of these factors:
A reputable private autism assessment in Kent should include:
The process typically takes 2–4 sessions over several weeks. Always check what is included before booking.
| Assessment type | Typical cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autism only (child) | £1,500 – £2,500 | Most common. Varies by provider and complexity. |
| Autism + ADHD combined | £2,500 – £3,500 | Worth doing together if both suspected — saves repeat appointments. |
| ADHD only | £800 – £1,500 | If autism is not suspected. Cheaper but may miss co-occurring autism. |
| Specialist educational assessment (EP) | £1,000 – £2,000 | Educational Psychologist assessment — separate from autism diagnosis. |
Costs are indicative as of early 2026. Always get a quote directly from any provider before booking. Costs vary significantly.
These are the providers we have been able to verify operating in Kent. We have not ranked them — always contact them directly to verify current availability, costs, waiting times, and whether their assessments will be accepted for your specific purpose.
📍 Kent-wide | kentautismservice.com
Private autism assessments following NICE Guidelines. Claims assessments are accepted by NHS and statutory services. Reports to the NHS-compatible standard. Nearly 10 years' experience. States no diagnoses have been refused by other organisations.
📍 Thanet, Kent | 01843 264 170 | lycali.co.uk
Independent clinic in Thanet offering face-to-face and remote assessments. Specialises in autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and learning differences. Covers children and adults. Also offers therapy services.
📍 Kent and South East | psicon.co.uk
Neurodevelopmental assessments across the South East. Offers autism, ADHD, and mental wellbeing assessments for children and adults. Multi-disciplinary approach.
📍 Kent | theautismservice.co.uk/clinic/kent
Delivering autism and ADHD assessments since 2019. Face-to-face appointments available at their Kent location. Children and adults. Part of a national network.
📍 Kent | kentpsychologist.co.uk
Psychological services including autism and ADHD assessments for children, teenagers and adults. Also offers psychological therapy. Provides free autism training to schools and parent workshops.
📍 East Kent | autismassessmenthub.co.uk/east-kent
Regional hub for autism, ADHD, and combined assessments in East Kent. Dedicated to providing assessment, diagnosis and post-diagnosis support.
📍 Whitstable, Kent | autismkent.co.uk
Based in Whitstable. Provides autism diagnostic assessments and ongoing support services across the South East. As a charity, may offer different pricing to commercial providers.
This is the most important question, and the answer is: generally yes, but with caveats.
Do not book the first provider you find. Ask these questions first:
£1,500–£3,500 is a significant sum. Options to explore:
Once you have a private autism diagnosis report, use it. Immediately:
The process typically involves 2–4 appointments spread over 2–6 weeks. The written report usually follows within 2–4 weeks of the final session. Total time from booking to receiving a report: typically 6–12 weeks with most providers.
Some providers offer accelerated assessments. These are not generally recommended for children, as a thorough multi-session assessment provides more robust evidence. Be cautious of any provider offering a "one-day" diagnosis without a thorough developmental history process.
For families where NHS waiting means a child is struggling in school without support, missing DLA entitlement, or delayed in an EHCP process — yes, the cost is often justified. For families where the child is managing, the NHS wait is acceptable, and the cost is prohibitive — the NHS pathway is still valid and free.
No. Private assessments are self-referred. You book directly with the provider. However, your GP should still be informed of the outcome and the report shared with them.
A diagnosis is the key to unlocking the EHCP process. Here's what to do next.
Read guide →Once you have a diagnosis or report, claim DLA — many families are missing out on hundreds per month.
Read guide →Post-diagnosis, find activities where your child can thrive. Free and low-cost options in Kent.
Read guide →