Combined Autism & ADHD Diagnostic Assessment
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
We offer a dual assessment process for families wanting to explore and assess for both ADHD and Autism at the same time.
Our processes use gold standard assessments and strictly follow the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) Guidelines, which would be in line with the same protocols of an NHS Assessment.
The dual Assessment process involves a multidisciplinary team consisting of our Psychologist, Specialised Speech and Language Therapist and Paediatrician and is suitable for those aged 8-17 years.
To ensure we are working in the best interests of your child, our processes are extremely rigorous. A diagnosis of ADHD and/or Autism is a lifelong condition, and we do not carry out a quick assessment in one day; the combined assessment process involves 4 appointments, a school observation and a detailed analysis of home and school questionnaires, developmental history and formal rating scales.
The Assessment Process
Prior to your first clinic appointment you will be asked to fill in a range of questionnaires and rating scales. There is no one screening tool that assesses for both ADHD and Autism, so separate screeners will be sent to you to complete which will then be analysed and scored. We will also liaise with your child’s school to gather more information and your child’s teacher will asked to be complete further forms and rating scales, in relation to both ADHD and Autism.
The combined assessment process will involve 4 appointments:
- A comprehensive Mental Health & ADHD Assessment appointment in-clinic lasting around 2 hours. This will be with our Psychologist.
- The ADOS; Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – an Assessment which is widely recognised as one of the most accurate and reliable means of identifying and diagnosing Autism will be completed with your child by our highly experienced Speech and Language ADOS-trained Therapist. This clinic meeting will last between 1-1.5 hours.
- Parents/carers will then meet again with the Psychologist, without their child, to carry out the ADI-R: Autism Diagnostic Interview – another widely recognised diagnostic tool examining the child’s developmental history. This meeting will last around 2 hours and can be carried out either remotely via video call or in-person in the clinic.
- A Paediatrician will also meet with your child to carry out a medical examination to determine if there is anything physical/medical which may support or refute the diagnosis. This meeting will last around 30 minutes.
- A school observation will be additionally arranged for every child having a Dual Assessment with us.
The results of these 4 appointments, the school observation, the formal Autism and ADHD rating scales from home and school are then all compiled together to determine the final outcome, which will be discussed during a team meeting. The Psychologist will arrange a feedback session, on the phone or via video call to share the outcome. A formal detailed report will be sent to parents / carers within 21 working days of the final clinic appointment.
*If you are looking around for a private ADHD or ASC, Autism Spectrum Condition Assessment, please check and ensure the NICE guidelines are followed by the practitioner/s and a multidisciplinary team, including a paediatrician, are part of the process, otherwise this may impact the external recognition of your child’s diagnosis and/or report.
Our ADHD assessments take place in calm, welcoming therapy rooms designed to help children and young people feel at ease. Depending on your child’s age and needs, we may bring in resources or toys to support the process. The rooms are not pre-filled with these items, as we want to create a comfortable environment without unnecessary distractions.
Fees
The cost of full dual Autism/ADHD Assessment process, verbal feedback and formal report is £3,540.
A deposit is initially required and the remaining balance can be paid in installments.
Our combined Autism and ADHD assessments are provided by our HCPC Registered Clinical Team, Dr Gemma Wilson, registration: PYL03161 and Dr Dawn Robson (Hayward-Hill) registration: PYL15255