Some people prefer reading information, while others find it easier to take in information by listening or watching. To support different ways of processing, we’ve provided both video explanations of our assessment process above and written information below.
We understand that seeking an Autism or ADHD assessment as an adult can feel daunting, especially if previous experiences have been rushed, invalidating, or overly focused on surface-level behaviours. Many assessments, particularly for adults, are brief, checklist-based, and lack depth. Our service is different. We offer a thorough, multidisciplinary assessment that explores ADHD and autistic features in depth, alongside broader mental health and developmental history. This allows us to build a clear understanding of each person’s profile, not just through observable behaviours, but through their lived experience. We take time to consider differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions, and we never rely on a single tool or snapshot. Our goal is to provide clarity, not just a label, and to ensure that any recommendations we make are genuinely useful and tailored to your needs.
We offer time and space to explore your experiences in depth, not just to reach a diagnosis, but to help you make sense of who you are.
We consider both internal experiences and observable behaviours, recognising that many neurodivergent traits are subtle, masked, or misunderstood.
We believe people. Your voice, your story, and your insight are central to the assessment process. We take care to understand your strengths, challenges, and context in detail.
We recognise the different profile of Autism in women and girls, and our flexible process allows us to explore nuanced presentations that may not fit traditional diagnostic criteria.
We are mindful that many autistic and ADHD adults experience co-occurring mental health challenges, often shaped by years of masking, camouflaging, or being misunderstood. These experiences can lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis altogether. Every assessment includes an assessment from a Clinical Psychologist with specialist mental health training, so that emotional wellbeing is explored alongside the neurodevelopmental profile. If mental health is a concern, we will help you understand this and offer clear, compassionate recommendations for support.
We accept people as they are and strive to create a neurodiversity-affirming experience at every stage.
We work as a multidisciplinary team, using established diagnostic tools and approaches in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Our reports have a strong track record of being accepted by NHS services- with 100% success rate to date.
We also consider differential diagnoses during assessment, as recommended by NICE. This means we take time to explore other possible explanations for a person’s profile, ensuring our conclusions are thorough and well-informed.
Typically, two clinicians are involved in each assessment, but we may consult other members of our wider team if a second clinical opinion is needed. Our goal is to provide a robust, clear understanding of each person’s strengths, needs, and support options.
Our assessment pathway includes four key stages:
This is a free 30-minute conversation with one of our clinicians to explore whether an Autism and/or ADHD assessment may be appropriate for you. You’ll have space to ask questions, share your concerns, and help us understand your strengths, needs, and current context. We’ll explain the process clearly and help you decide on next steps.
We build a broad picture of your developmental history and current experience using:
• Standardised questionnaires completed by you
• Optional input from parents or other significant others (with your consent)
• A team review of all information gathered
After this, we’ll contact you to discuss whether to proceed with the full assessment or offer alternative recommendations. If indicators for both Autism and ADHD emerge, we’ll talk this through with you before expanding the scope of the assessment.
We use structured clinical interviews such as the ADI-R, 3di, or DIVA to explore your developmental history and current profile. These tools are considered 'gold standard' and help us build a clear, strengths-based understanding of your neurodevelopmental profile. Interviews may be conducted with one or both clinicians.
This session is tailored to your needs and preferences:
• Autism assessments use an ADOS-based approach. The ADOS-2 is a standardised assessment involving structured interaction and conversation designed to elicit behaviours associated with Autism. Depending on your profile and context, we may use the full ADOS-2 or selected elements, supplemented with additional discussion points and clinical observations.
• ADHD assessments include a mental health assessment and the QB Check, a computer-based tool that objectively measures attention, activity, and impulsivity.
We’ll discuss any preferences you have around format or environment. Face-to-face sessions take place in our comfortable, private clinic rooms at Southam Speaking Space.
On some occasions we are able to provide feedback and a diagnostic outcome on the same day, but we aim to provide feedback within one week. You will be offered a feedback appointment to discuss our assessment findings, share the diagnostic conclusion, and provide key recommendations for support. This can take place face-to-face or via videocall according to your preference. If a diagnosis is not made, we will explain why and help you understand what that means, including any recommendations for support.
You will then receive a detailed report with clear recommendations.
Please note: We do not prescribe medication. ADHD medication must be prescribed by a Psychiatrist, Nurse Prescriber, GP or Pharmacist Independent Prescriber. For those looking to explore medication, we work with professionals who accept our reports and can support those referrals.
Please see our post-diagnostic support page for information about these services.