Private Autism Assessments Near Hemel Hempstead
Bloom Clinical provides comprehensive private autism assessments for children and adults across Hertfordshire. Our specialist clinic is based in St Albans, approximately 20 minutes from Hemel Hempstead by car, with on-site and on-street parking available. Adults can choose between attending in person or completing their assessment entirely online.
NHS waiting times for children’s autism assessments in Hertfordshire are under severe pressure. Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, which serves families in Hemel Hempstead and west Hertfordshire, acknowledged in 2025 that it has a significant backlog of children awaiting autism assessment, and has been forced to commission private providers to help clear it. Across the county, new referrals currently face a combined wait of over two years from first appointment through to specialist follow-up.
At Bloom Clinical, we offer comprehensive private autism assessments for both adults and children from our clinic in St Albans, with reports typically delivered within 8 weeks.
- NICE-Guideline Assessments
- Results Typically Within 8 Weeks
- NHS Recognised Reports
- ADOS-2 Gold-Standard Diagnostic Tool
Adult Autism Assessments (Ages 18+)
Adult autism assessments at Bloom Clinical can be conducted either in person at our St Albans clinic or entirely via secure video consultation from home. The choice is yours, and the quality of assessment is identical either way.
If you attend in person, our clinic is located at St Paul’s Church, Blandford Road, St Albans, AL1 4JP, approximately 20 minutes from Hemel Hempstead via the A4147, with on-site and on-street parking available.
Your assessment includes:
- Pre-assessment screening and psychometric questionnaires
- Full clinical interview covering developmental history, current challenges, and lived experience, including how autism may present differently in adulthood
- Standardised diagnostic assessment tools aligned with NICE guidelines
- Sensory processing evaluation by our certified sensory integration practitioners
- Multidisciplinary team review, every case is considered collectively, not by a single clinician working in isolation
- Detailed written report with diagnosis, where applicable and specific, actionable recommendations
- Guidance on workplace adjustments, Access to Work, and any relevant support frameworks
Child Autism Assessment (Ages 1–18)
Children’s autism assessments are always conducted in person. This is a clinical requirement: an accurate autism assessment in children involves direct observation and structured interaction with your child that cannot be replicated remotely.
Our clinic is at St Paul’s Church, Blandford Road, St Albans, AL1 4JP, approximately 20 minutes from Hemel Hempstead via the A4147. On-site and on-street parking are available.
Your child’s assessment includes:
- Pre-assessment questionnaires for parents and, where possible, school or other key settings
- Full developmental history and clinical interview with parents or carers
- Direct assessment and structured observation using standardised, NICE-aligned diagnostic tools such as the gold standard ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).
- Sensory processing evaluation by our certified sensory integration practitioners, a component not routinely included by many providers
- Multidisciplinary team review of all findings
- Comprehensive written report with diagnosis, where applicable
- Specific recommendations for home, school, EHCP applications, and wider educational support
Is It ADHD, Autism, or Both?
Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur, and their symptoms can overlap significantly, affecting focus, sensory sensitivity, emotional regulation, and social communication. Assessing for one without considering the other can leave an incomplete picture and the wrong conclusions.
If you’re unsure whether you or your child may have autism, ADHD, or a combination of both, we offer combined assessments for children and adults. Our free 15-minute consultation is the right place to start, we’ll help you understand which pathway makes sense before you commit to anything.
How a Diagnosis Can Help
For adults, a diagnosis can:
- Explain a lifetime of experiences that never quite made sense
- Support applications for reasonable workplace adjustments under the Equality Act 2010
- Enable Access to Work funding for practical support in employment
- Provide a foundation for self-understanding that many people describe as genuinely life-changing
For children, a diagnosis can:
- Unlock appropriate support and adjustments at school, including Special Educational Needs (SEN) support
- Contribute evidence towards an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a legally binding document requiring schools and local authorities to provide specified support
- Give parents the language and understanding to advocate effectively for their child
- Help children understand themselves, with a significant and often immediate impact on self-esteem and well-being
What to Expect: The Assessment Process
One of the most common things we hear from families is that they didn’t know what to expect, and that uncertainty made everything more stressful. Here is exactly what happens, from first contact to final report.
1. Free 15-minute consultation
A no-obligation call with our team. You tell us your concerns; we listen, answer your questions honestly, and confirm whether an assessment is the right next step.
2. Pre-assessment paperwork
Before your appointment, we’ll send detailed questionnaires covering developmental history, current behaviours, and sensory experiences. For children, we’ll also request input from school where possible, a teacher’s perspective adds valuable context that clinical interviews alone cannot capture.
3. Clinical interview
A thorough, unhurried conversation with your clinician. For children, this is primarily with parents or carers. For adults, this focuses on your own experience across your life, early development, social history, sensory sensitivities, and how challenges have shown up at different stages.
4. Diagnostic assessment and observation
Standardised diagnostic tools aligned with NICE guidelines are used to assess both the presence and nature of autism. For children, this session involves structured direct interaction, which is why in-person attendance is a clinical requirement. For adults, this stage can take place online or in person.
5. Sensory processing evaluation
Conducted by our certified sensory integration practitioners, this component identifies specific sensory preferences and challenges and feeds directly into your report’s practical recommendations. It is included in every Bloom Clinical assessment as standard, most other providers do not offer this.
6. Multidisciplinary team review
All findings are reviewed collectively by our clinical team before any conclusions are reached. No diagnosis is made by a single clinician working alone.
7. Written report
Your detailed report, including diagnosis where applicable, is typically completed within 8 weeks of initial booking. It includes practical recommendations written to be genuinely useful, not just a clinical record.
8. Post-assessment discussion
We’ll talk you through your report, explain what it means in plain terms, and discuss next steps. Your report can be shared with your GP, your child’s school, or used directly to support an EHCP application.
Autism Assessment Prices
Assessment Type | Price |
|---|---|
Adult Autism Assessment | £1,650 |
Adult Combined Autism & ADHD Assessment | £2,350 |
Child Autism Assessment | £2,125 |
Child Combined Autism & ADHD Assessment | £3,295 |
All prices include pre-assessment questionnaires, clinical interview, QB Test, diagnostic assessment session, multidisciplinary team review, full written report, and letters for schools, employers, or GPs where required.
If you suspect you or your child may also be autistic, or if you’re unsure whether ADHD alone explains their difficulties, our combined assessment evaluates both conditions together, which is more clinically accurate and more cost-effective than separate assessments.
Serving Hertfordshire
Our clinic is located at St Paul’s Church, Blandford Road, St Albans (AL1 4JP), in the heart of Hertfordshire. We see adults and families from across the county, including:
- St Albans, Harpenden, and Wheathampstead
- Watford, Bushey, and Rickmansworth
- Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, and Tring
- Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, and Potters Bar
- Stevenage, Hitchin, and Letchworth Garden City
- Hertford, Ware, and Hoddesdon
- Borehamwood, Radlett, and Elstree
- Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth
- Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, and Broxbourne
Our St Albans clinic is accessible from Hemel Hempstead via the A4147, typically a 20-minute drive. On-site parking is available, with additional on-street parking on Blandford Road.
Can’t travel to our St Albans clinic? Adult ADHD assessments are also available fully online, wherever you are in the UK.
FAQs
Do I need a GP referral for a private autism assessment?
No. You can self-refer directly, simply book a free 15-minute consultation and we’ll guide you from there.
How long does the process take?
Most clients receive their completed report within 8 weeks of initial booking. Returning pre-assessment questionnaires promptly helps keep the process on track.
Can adults choose between online and in-person?
Yes. Adult autism assessments at Bloom Clinical are available either online via a video consultation or in person at our St Albans clinic. Both options follow exactly the same clinical process. Children’s assessments are always in person.
Why do children's autism assessments require an in-person visit?
An accurate autism assessment in children involves direct structured observation and interaction; it is a clinical requirement, not a preference. The diagnostic tools used require your child to be physically present with the clinician. We want to give your child the most thorough and accurate assessment possible, and that requires meeting them in person.
Can you assess for autism and ADHD at the same time?
Yes. We offer combined assessments for both children and adults. If you’re unsure which is right, our free consultation is the place to start.
Will the report support an EHCP application?
Yes. Our reports include specific recommendations written to be used practically, including directly in support of EHCP applications and school-based support planning.
My child is already on an NHS waiting list. Can we book privately?
Yes. Being on an NHS waiting list does not prevent you from accessing a private assessment. Your private report is entirely independent and can be used for school support, EHCP applications, or any other purpose, regardless of where your NHS referral stands.
How is your assessment different from what the NHS provides?
The clinical framework is the same, NICE-aligned, evidence-based assessment conducted by specialist clinicians. The difference is waiting time, individual attention, and scope. Our assessments include a sensory processing evaluation not typically included in NHS pathways, and reports are completed within 8 weeks rather than after a multi-year wait.
What if I'm not sure whether my child is autistic?
You don’t need certainty before you call. Many of our clients come to the free consultation with nothing more than a feeling that something isn’t quite right. That is exactly what the consultation is for.
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Support for ADHD, Mental Health, and Autism
in Adults and Children.
Whether you require a single assessment to gain clarity or prefer ongoing therapy for consistent support, our tailored services are designed to meet your unique needs.
We understand that mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges can impact every aspect of life, from personal relationships to daily routines.
That’s why we focus on providing compassionate, professional care to empower you with understanding and practical strategies. With expert-led assessments and therapy options, we’re here to support you every step of the way, helping you navigate your journey towards improved well-being and confidence.