Autism Surrey and Autism Sussex
Autism and ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis Service
Autism Spectrum Condition (autism) is considered to be a lifelong neuro-developmental condition that affects how a child, young person or adult socially communicates with and relates to other people as well as how they experience, perceive and manage their world. It can be positively viewed as part of human diversity. For some, however, it can also contribute to significant levels of anxiety and sometimes episodes of emotional dysregulation, especially when coping with an environment which isn’t always based on their individual needs.
We also offer Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments either on a standalone or joint basis. For both conditions we can complete assessments for children and adults. A formal assessment can provide a greater understanding of autism and/or ADHD to allow you or your child to make better sense of the world you live in, direct you towards the right support for yourself or your child, support you to access relevant educational/employment provisions
direct you towards the right support for yourself or your child
support you to access relevant educational/employment provisions
inform any future interventions, ensuring they are more accessible, meaningful and valid
allowing you or your child to make better sense of the world you live in.
The professionals at Autism Surrey and Autism Sussex (sister companies) include a consultant Paediatrician, a Principal Clinical Psychologist, and an Education and Autism Consultant as well as access to a Speech and Language Therapist and a PDA specialist. All team members simultaneously work in NHS CAMHS or Child Development Services. We therefore fully understand the extreme waiting lists and resource pressures on NHS services and indeed, the pressures on yourself as an adult seeking an assessment or a parent/carer of a young people.
At Autism Surrey and Autism Sussex we aim to conduct an accurate, detailed assessment, formulation and diagnosis (as appropriate) for adults, children and young people. Our assessments are almost always conducted Face to Face with the option of the clinical interview being conducted remotely if you wish.
Any formal assessment with us offers a useful and empathetic framework for understanding yours or your child’s differences within the wider world.
Autism Surrey and Autism Sussex provide a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency evidence-based service which is National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) compliant.
Autism and ADHA Assessment Process
The assessment comprises:
An initial (free and no obligation) telephone/zoom call to make sure this is the right assessment for you
A detailed across-life parental interview that includes a general developmental and mental health assessment
Information gathered directly from your child’s educational placement
Specialist assessments using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2)
Other appropriate assessment and screening tools as required.
The comprehensive autism/ADHD assessment we conduct comprises carefully building a picture of you or your child’s developmental strengths and weaknesses. From this we provide a clinical formulation (understanding) for the particular difficulties that your child is demonstrating. These may include:
The professionals at Autism Surrey and Autism Sussex are highly skilled at assessing individuals with complex presentations such as those who mask/camouflage, interpreting the complexity of trauma, impact of adverse life events, gender identity issues or those who exhibit complex mental health issues and therefore require more specialist thinking. We are also very experienced at assessing very young children including