Autism assessment
For ages 6 to adult. The whole team reviews each case together, and you leave with clear recommendations, whatever the outcome.
£1,999 · No VAT payable
Neuroaffirming assessment · NW London, South Buckinghamshire and Rickmansworth
Private autism assessment in NW London and South Buckinghamshire
Every mind works differently. We help you understand yours.
Oakwell offers private autism assessment for children aged 6 and over, teenagers and adults, led by Hans Naicker, an NMC-registered mental health nurse, with an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist and speech and language therapist. It costs £1,999, with no VAT payable, and you don’t need a referral. We also offer mental health assessment and goal coaching.
Who this page is for: families, adults and professionals in NW London, South Buckinghamshire and Rickmansworth.
- NMC-registered clinical lead
- A multidisciplinary team
- Fees published
- No referral needed
- Report usually within 4 weeks of feedback
How can we help?
Three ways to start. You don’t need a diagnosis, or a referral, to begin any of them.
Not sure what’s going on?
A mental health assessment for ages 16 and over, carried out by Hans, with home visits where they help. A clear picture and a plan, not a diagnosis.
£200 · No VAT payable
I want the Goal Coaching Mentorship Programme
Goal coaching for 16 to 21-year-olds: what’s getting in the way, and a realistic plan built together. No diagnosis needed.
Fee CHECK: held until D2.6 is answered
Does this sound familiar?
“School have raised concerns and I don’t know what to do next.”
Autism assessment for children →“I’ve wondered for a long time whether I’m autistic.”
Autism assessment for adults →“Something’s not right, and I don’t know where to start.”
Mental health assessment →How does an autism assessment work?
In brief: five of the ten steps. Each one is explained in full, with how long it takes and who is there, on the assessment journey page.
In brief · 01
Get in touch
By phone, email or the form. No GP or school referral is needed, and professional referrals are welcome.
In brief · 02
Initial consultation
We agree together whether an assessment is the right next step.
In brief · 03
Observation session (ADOS-2)
A structured observation session using the ADOS-2, about 45 minutes to an hour, usually by secure video, or face to face at home where that suits your child better.
In brief · 04
Written report
Usually within 4 weeks of the feedback appointment, signed by the clinician who led your assessment.
In brief · 05
Follow-up call
A 30 to 45-minute video or phone call within 6 weeks of your report, included.
Who will you be talking to?
HN
Clinical Lead
Hans Naicker
NMC-registered mental health nurse
Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Check his registration on the NMC register ↗Search for “Hans Naicker”. Search using both his first and last names.
Photo: CHECK: headshots (§1)
Hans Naicker is an NMC-registered mental health nurse with more than 25 years in mental health. He began in residential care, worked across several London mental health services, and spent his final five years in the NHS as Clinical Lead for community mental health teams in West London.
During his career he has been involved in more than 2,500 autism assessments with children, young people and adults. CHECK: where the 2,500 took place, so it can be attributed accurately (§22.10) At Oakwell, he leads a team that includes an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist and an HCPC-registered speech and language therapist.
How do we work?
Understanding, not labelling
Everyone deserves to be understood, whatever their neurodiversity, whatever their mental health history, and whatever life has put in their way.
Strengths as well as challenges
We look at what you or your child does well, not only at what’s hard.
Always a clear, practical plan
Every assessment ends with clear, practical next steps, so you know what happens next.
Never a dead end
If an assessment doesn’t lead to a diagnosis, you still leave with honest feedback, recommendations and signposting.
More about Oakwell and our approach · The key facts about Oakwell on one page
Where do we work?
Autism assessments are online; home visits are for the mental health assessment, across these areas and surrounding areas. CHECK: is the online autism assessment offered UK-wide? (§1)
Guides to help you prepare
Guide
What happens in an autism observation session?
8 min read
Guide
What is the ADI-R, and why do we ask about early childhood?
7 min read
Guide
Will a private autism assessment be accepted by school, the NHS or for an EHCP?
9 min read
Guide
Being assessed for autism as an adult
8 min read
Common questions
Do I need a referral from my GP or school?
No — you can get in touch directly as a parent, or as an adult seeking assessment for yourself. Referrals from GPs, schools and other professionals are also very welcome, but they’re not a requirement to start the process.
Do you assess ADHD?
Not at present. ADHD traits may be noted as part of an autism assessment, but we don’t diagnose ADHD or prescribe. If an ADHD assessment might help, we’ll say so and suggest where to turn, such as your GP or another provider. CHECK: wording with Hans (rule 1)
Is Oakwell an NHS service?
No. Oakwell is a private, self-funded service run by Hanson Care Group Ltd. You don’t need a referral, and you can still ask your GP about NHS services at the same time. After a mental health assessment, with your consent, we write to your GP so your care stays joined up.
How long does the assessment process take?
The developmental history session (ADI-R) takes up to 2 hours, and the observation session about 45 minutes to an hour. Your written report usually follows within 4 weeks of the feedback appointment, and a follow-up call within 6 weeks of the report. CHECK: typical overall time from first contact to report, only if Hans can always meet it (D2.7)
What happens if the assessment doesn’t lead to a diagnosis?
You’ll still leave with clear, honest feedback. Whatever the outcome, we’ll talk through what we’ve noticed, and provide recommendations and signposting towards whatever support is likely to be genuinely helpful next — an assessment is never a dead end.
Not sure what you need? Talk it through with us.
No referral needed. Prefer not to phone? Email or use the form. That’s completely fine.