Do I need a referral?
No. At Mindsight Autism Services, we believe that you know your child /yourself best, and if autism or ADHD is something you are considering then we are here to listen and explore whether an assessment would be helpful.
Can I speak to you before committing to the assessment?
Absolutely. We offer everyone a 30 minute free telephone consultation before booking anyone in for an assessment. During the telephone consultation we will listen to your concerns and explore the reasons you are seeking an assessment. We will then be able to tell you whether we feel going ahead with the information gathering stage is indicated. After the information gathering stage we review all the information we have to ensure proceeding to the face to face elements of the assessment makes sense. The assessment process can be an emotional and anxiety-provoking experience for families and we want to ensure that we only go ahead with an assessment when it is appropriate.
Where does the face to face assessment take place?
We have a clinic space in Southam, Warwickshire (@Southam Speaking Space) where we see families for assessments. We do not offer online appointments with the child/adult seeking a diagnosis as we feel that this is not as meaningful as meeting them in person.
Who will be involved in the assessment?
As well as appointments with you and your child, we will send a questionnaire to your child’s education provider. We also review any reports you have from professionals.
How much does it cost?
Our fees vary based on the focus of the assessment. We can offer assessments for Autism, ADHD or Autism + ADHD combined.
Stage 1 + 2
This includes the initial telephone consultation, questionnaires, conversations with significant others, team discussion and telephone feedback. There is no charge if you decide not to proceed following the initial telephone consultation.
Stage 3 + 4
This includes the assessment appointments, interpretation, scoring and team discussion, written report with recommendations, and a feedback session.
Further feedback and support sessions can be offered, if required.
Will the assessment be recognised by Local Authorities/NHS?
Our comprehensive assessments follow NHS NICE guidelines, use gold-standard tools and are carried out by a multidisciplinary team of fully accredited and experienced clinicians. The SEND Code of Practice (2015) states that there is no basis in law for the Local Authority to reject a professional report simply because it was privately obtained. If you have any issues with your assessment being accepted, please contact us and we will speak to the local authority on your behalf. With regards to ADHD medication, those seeking medication will be directed to private Psychiatrists/Paediatricians/Nurse Prescribers to discuss this and whether they have a shared care agreement with local NHS services.
What is “masking” and can this affect the assessment?
“Masking’ is where neurodivergent children and adults may use strategies to adjust their behaviour to meet neurotypical expectations in order to “camouflage” their neurodivergence and “fit in’ with neurotypical people around them. This can be exhausting and detrimental to mental wellbeing. We have knowledge and experience of working with children who mask, and recognise the impact this can have on their wellbeing. Our comprehensive assessments are designed to unpick any potential masking behaviours and to learn more about the child’s internal experiences across different contexts. If you have any concerns about your child masking, please discuss this at the assessment.
What if my child does not receive a diagnosis?
We like to highlight to families that they are paying for an assessment, not a diagnosis. We know that families can have different feelings around the outcome of the assessment, and work hard to ensure, regardless of outcome, that the assessment process is as meaningful for you and your child as possible. We aim to help you and your child understand their experiences better. Regardless of the outcome of the assessment we will provide detailed and meaningful recommendations for support.
What support can I receive after the assessment?
You will be offered a thorough and detailed feedback appointment. Our report includes tailored recommendations, strategies and resources which will be helpful for you and your child in terms of understanding and supporting their strengths and challenges. We also offer information about local and national services which can provide further support. For those who would like it, we also offer post diagnostic support sessions.