Helpful answers about autism and ADHD assessments. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please get in touch.
Choosing an assessment can feel like an important decision. Here are answers to the questions families and adults most commonly ask.
People seek assessments for many different reasons. Sometimes there are longstanding questions about autism, ADHD, emotional wellbeing, relationships or learning. In other situations, parents or adults may feel something important has been missed and would like to get a better understanding of themselves.
An assessment can help provide practical guidance and confidence about the most helpful next steps. Assessments should never just be about a label or diagnosis — they should help an individual develop a positive sense of who they are and identify practical strategies tailored to them.
At Kent Psychologist we always offer an Initial Consultation to help you and us find out whether a full assessment is the right next step.
Autism and ADHD are different neurodevelopmental profiles, although they can overlap. Autism often relates to differences in social communication, sensory experience, routines and processing the world. ADHD often relates to attention, organisation, impulsivity, motivation and emotional regulation.
Some people experience traits of both — we sometimes refer to this as 'AuDHD'. Whether you are seeking an autism or ADHD assessment, we always hold both presentations in mind, as we understand how commonly they overlap. This allows us to think with you about what type of assessment would be most helpful.
Being neuroaffirmative means that rather than seeing autism or ADHD as 'disorders' or 'deficits', we value difference and each individual's preferences and thinking styles. It is important to us that the people we meet have a positive experience and view the outcome of the assessment and their strengths in a positive way.
We are hopeful that a better understanding of themselves will help children and young people grow their self-esteem and feel more confident about their sense of identity. We like to think of the assessment process as a joint journey of discovery.
Assessments that follow NICE guidelines ensure high and consistent professional standards. They clearly lay out the qualifications a professional requires to complete an assessment, what the most appropriate assessment tools are, and when a diagnosis should be considered.
NICE guidelines also provide a reference for services such as the NHS, schools, universities and workplaces when considering whether they can accept a private assessment. All our assessments are based on gold standard NICE guidelines, ensuring a high level of quality and reliability.
We understand that recognising autism and ADHD can sometimes be complex. This is often the case when adults or young people engage in strategies to mask the challenges and differences they are experiencing — meaning that screening questionnaires alone do not fully capture a person's experience.
We never rely on screening questionnaires alone to decide whether an assessment would be helpful. If you have tried to access an assessment through the NHS or Right to Choose pathway but would like to explore a private assessment, please get in touch.
The assessment is generally conducted over a whole morning, including feedback of the results and a discussion about the type of support that may be helpful going forward. Before the meeting we will send you detailed information so you can prepare and understand what to expect. Our aim is for the people we work with to remember the meeting as a positive turning point in their journey.
The team
Our multidisciplinary team is led by Dr Sirja van Zyl. She will be your lead clinician throughout the process, from first contact to the final report, supported by a team of highly skilled professionals.
The first part of the assessment involves a detailed developmental history with adults or with parents, using the ADHD Child Evaluation (ACE) or the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD (DIVA). This includes information about development, strengths and challenges in the areas of attention, activity, organisation and impulsivity. Older teenagers sometimes join this part of the assessment with their parents.
The adult, child or young person will be invited to complete the QbCheck assessment — a computer-based task that usually takes around half an hour. It measures core ADHD symptoms including inattention, activity and impulsivity, and generates scores allowing comparison with others with and without ADHD.
Following the assessment, findings are shared in a feedback meeting and a comprehensive written report is provided with clear recommendations and practical next steps.
The assessment is generally conducted over a whole morning, including feedback of the results and a discussion about the type of support that may be helpful. Before the meeting we will send you detailed information so you and your child understand what to expect.
The team
Our multidisciplinary team is led by Dr Sirja van Zyl. She is usually joined by two other clinicians, which may include Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists or Occupational Therapists.
The ADOS-2 is completed with the adult, child or young person by two clinicians with a specialism in autism. It consists of a range of activities — chatting about interests, playing games — which allows us to observe specific behaviours important in the assessment of autism. We always ensure a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Many people tell us that attending the ADOS felt like having a chat rather than completing an assessment.
The ADI-R is completed by one of our clinicians together with parents or caregivers to gather information about the child's development, social interaction, communication and interests. When assessing adults it can be adapted as needed — we are experienced in managing situations where it is not possible to bring a family member.
Following the assessment, findings are shared in a feedback meeting and a comprehensive written report is provided — whether or not a diagnosis is made.
The findings of our assessments are usually shared with you during a feedback meeting on the day of the assessment. You may choose to attend on your own or bring someone with you for support. If the assessment is for a child, we will think with you about the most helpful way to share the outcome with them.
A comprehensive report follows shortly after, including clear recommendations, resources and suggestions for practical next steps. You are free to share our reports with schools, universities, employers or other agencies where appropriate.
We know a diagnosis is often only the beginning of the journey — we can also offer follow-up appointments and guidance. Please see our Support After Assessment page for more information.
Our assessments are based on gold standard NICE guidelines and completed to a high professional standard. This is why many schools and organisations refer to us directly for assessents. We have never had our assessments rejected by any organisation. Many schools, universities, workplaces and healthcare services accept private assessments, although each organisation makes its own decisions. If you have concerns about a specific organisation's requirements, we are happy to discuss this when you get in touch.
We enjoy a very positive and close working relationship with a number of local schools, and they often refer children and young people directly to us for assessment. Schools provide important information about attention, friendships, learning, emotional wellbeing and how a child manages day-to-day demands. We therefore invite schools to complete screening questionnaires where possible.
We understand that sometimes parents feel a school does not fully understand their child's presentation. We are experienced in managing such situations and never base the outcome of our assessments on screening questionnaires alone. We will always speak to you before contacting a school and will only do so with your agreement.
Yes. All assessments include the offer of a follow-up appointment. Some families or adults also choose additional support sessions to explore next steps in more depth. Please see our Support After Assessment page for further information.
Please see our Fees page for current pricing, including information about private medical insurance and payment plans.
Some young people feel positive about attending. Others may feel worried or unsure. It is important to us that each child feels comfortable and understands the process in a way that is appropriate for their age and stage of development.
At the time of booking we provide information in advance to help families prepare. Dr Sirja will discuss any questions you may have beforehand and can also provide a letter for your child explaining what to expect on the day, where helpful.
Yes. We regularly work with families whose children are currently educated in England but whose family has previously lived in other countries. When completing an assessment, we carefully consider language development, cultural background, relocation experiences and differences between education systems, so that conclusions are balanced, thoughtful and meaningful.
Yes. We have put together a comprehensive information pack that explains our assessment fees and process step by step. If you would like to request one, please get in touch.
We offer a free initial call to help you think about the most appropriate next step. There is no obligation — just a conversation. You can book a free call or send an enquiry here.
Most people find it helpful to learn more about ADHD and try practical strategies before considering medication. However, for some people ADHD medication can be an important part of support. We work closely with a number of local psychiatrists who can prescribe medication.
Some families or adults choose to share our report with NHS services to request a medication review. We also work in partnership with trusted independent providers as part of our medication pathway and can arrange a referral for you. Please click below for more information.
Medication pathway for children
Medication pathway for adults
Autism and ADHD can sometimes be more difficult to recognise in girls and women, particularly where masking is present. Parents are often unsure whether they are overthinking concerns, while also worrying that important needs may be missed.
Dr Sirja and the team have a special interest in the assessment of girls and women and understand the sensitivity and expertise required. Our assessments are designed to think carefully about how autism or ADHD may present in less obvious ways. We also offer follow-up meetings with schools or others involved in support where helpful.
If your situation feels complex or you are unsure whether an assessment is appropriate, a free initial call with Dr Sirja is always a good starting point. There is no obligation — just a conversation about the most helpful next step.
We are happy to talk things through before you decide on next steps. A free initial call with Dr Sirja is a good place to start.
No obligation — just a conversation.