About Our Assessments
- Our assessments are only carried out by highly qualified, expert clinicians
- We listen carefully to the young person and their parents, identifying strengths as well as challenges, and providing clear conclusions and a formulation to answer the referral question(s)
- Time is dedicated to a detailed feedback discussion
- Whatever the diagnostic conclusions, you will receive a full written report including a formulation and recommendations
- We can offer some additional short-term follow-up if required; we will always try to direct you to other specialists for ongoing treatment or support where this is indicated
We can also create a bespoke assessment to explore additional related questions or concerns if required. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about this.
Autism Assessment
We have more than 20 years’ experience of diagnosing autism, including atypical and ‘high functioning’ profiles and in the context of mental health complexity.
- Interview with parents/carers and the young person
- Reading documentation [clinical reports and/or school reports]
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Direct assessment of the child/young person [2-3 hours] including as appropriate
o ADOS-2
o WISC-V/ WPPSI-IV / WIAT III
o Conners CPT / Qb Check - Standardised questionnaires
- Information-gathering from school [with parental permission]
- Dedicated feedback/discussion appointment [60-90 minutes by zoom]
- Extensive written report including detailed formulation and recommendations
This is because the nature of neurodiversity means that it is very common for children with social communication differences to also have some features of ADHD, and/or unusual learning profiles that may include very strong or even exceptional abilities in some areas, but weaker skills elsewhere. Obtaining a comprehensive picture of all strengths and difficulties provides the best possible basis for identifying the most appropriate recommendations and achieving optimal outcomes.
However, we can limit the assessment if your concern is very clearly specific.
ADHD Assessment
Single Clinician ADHD Assessment
The assessment is carried out by Dr Susan Walker, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.
The assessment takes 2-3 hours and can be carried out in person or by zoom. It includes:
- Interview with parents/carers and the young person
- Qb Check computerized task for the young person [20 minutes]
- Standardised questionnaires
- Written report
- Recommendation of a colleague who can prescribe a trial of stimulant medication if indicated
The interview usually starts with the family together, to discuss the reasons for seeking the assessment and the main concerns and areas of strength from the viewpoint of the young person and their parents/carers. It will also involve an exploration of other areas such as mood, anxiety, sleep, and appetite. There is some time with parents/carers alone, during which we can discuss developmental history and any other issues, followed by some time with the young person on their own. This conversation is confidential unless it raises concerns about the young person’s own health or safety, or someone else’s, in which case we will need to share the information.
By the end of the session, it is usually possible to confirm whether or not the young person meets the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD or not, and make recommendations.
Dr Walker cannot currently offer to prescribe medication because of the time required for appropriate follow-up, but she is happy to discuss medication and whether this might be worth exploring. We work closely with an excellent consultant psychiatrist colleague who will be happy to conduct an appointment to discuss and prescribe medication, if this is appropriate.
Integrated ADHD and Cognitive Assessment
A combined assessment generating:
- ADHD diagnostic decision
- Profile of related cognitive and learning abilities
The assessment is carried out jointly by Dr Susan Walker and Dr Imogen Newsom-Davis. It provides specialist expertise in psychological and medical approaches, both of which are recommended for the assessment and support of children and young people with ADHD.
We offer these assessments because uneven ability profiles are more common in young people with ADHD characteristics and can have a significant impact on academic performance.
In some cases, identifying cognitive differences will allow your child’s school to seek educational/exam accommodations and to provide more targeted learning support.
- Clinical history and ADHD diagnostic interview with parent/carer [2 hours]
- Qb Check
- Standardised questionnaires
- Direct assessment of the child/young person [2-3 hours]
- Information-gathering from school
- Feedback/discussion appointment [1 hour by zoom]
- Full written report with recommendations for home and school
- Recommendation of a colleague who can prescribe a trial of stimulant medication if indicated
There is the option to include additional measures in this assessment package, to assess for specific learning disorders (such as dyslexia), memory or executive function difficulties.
The findings are integrated into a formulation that explains the individual’s ‘neuro-profile’ and how it may be influencing their learning, behaviour and other aspects of life including social functioning. This leads to recommendations for support and/or intervention and longer term educational and vocational planning.
Cognitive Assessment and Dyslexia Assessment
Cognitive Assessment
- A gold standard assessment of cognitive ability is always the starting point
- This part of the assessment evaluates innate intellectual abilities (verbal, visual-spatial and fluid reasoning) and cognitive proficiency (processing speed and working memory)
- Uneven cognitive ability profiles are quite common but difficult to spot without assessment; they can have a significant impact on academic performance
Optional additional assessment of Learning/ Neuropsychological function
- Other assessments are then selected based on the individual referral question or concerns
- These may include tests to explore:
- Specific learning difficulties affecting literacy (dyslexia) and/or numeracy
- Attention or executive function difficulties
- Memory deficits
- Visuo-motor integration and visual-perceptual skills
The assessment process provides measures of ability in each area explored.
Diagnoses of specific learning disorders (such as dyslexia) will be made if criteria are met.
The findings are drawn together into a formulation explaining how the young person’s neuropsychological profile affects their learning, with further consideration of potential influences on behaviour and well-being. The findings are linked to recommendations for support and skill development both at school and at home.
The core assessment package includes:
- Reading documentation [clinical reports and/or school reports]
- Clinical and educational history interview with parents [1-2 hours]
- Direct assessment of the child/young person [2-3 hours] including as appropriate.
- WISC-V/ WPPSI-IV
- WIAT-III, CTOPP-2, TOWRE
- Beery VMI, DKEFS, ChAMP
- Information-gathering from school
- Feedback/discussion appointment [1 hour by zoom]
- Extensive written report including detailed formulation and recommendations
Initial consultation
- Choose this option if you aren’t sure what kind of assessment you need and would like the opportunity to explore this more fully
- 60-minute appointment usually carried out by zoom
- Discussion of your concerns or questions, some information-gathering in key areas, and an explanation of the different assessment options
- Suggestions for next steps, which could be direct assessment or intervention or onward referral