Service categories: Counselling and therapies, Diagnosticians

Service URL: https://www.gateway-psychology.co.uk/services/asd-assessments/

Secondary URL: https://www.gateway-psychology.co.uk

Gateway Psychology is an independent psychology service based in Stoke-on-Trent. We provide thorough ASD Assessments for children and young people, resulting in a diagnostic conclusion along with recommendations for treatment/management and further assessment. Our private ASD Asssessments are undertaken by fully qualified and trained clinicians, and include a multi-disciplinary team.

We understand that waiting months, or even years, for an ASD assessment can be extremely stressful. At Gateway Psychology, we are able to offer reduced waiting times for children and young people, as well as a responsive turnaround for the assessment itself.

Our neurodevelopmental assessments are undertaken by highly-qualified Clinical Psychologists, who have a range of experience in addition to assessing for ASD. They will be able to provide an overview of what other issues may exist and can signpost to further support as required.

Our assessment approach includes:

• Face-to-face appointments
• Child-friendly clinic space
• Led by fully-qualified and regulated Clinical Psychologists
• Follow national guidlines from NICE
• Assessed using the best available tools
• Multi-disciplinary team
• Robust diagnostic conclusions

What to expect during your assessment

An ASD assessment is comprised of several elements and will usually entail a multi-disciplinary approach to diagnosis. This will include the following (your clinician will decide which measures are appropriate on a case-by-case basis):

• Clinical interview with parents/carers to establish a detailed developmental history.
• Questionnaires and rating scales from other settings –usually school/nursery/college.
• A brief speech and language evaluation to examine social communication (depending on requirements)
• A brief occupational therapy evaluation to examine any sensory difficulties (depending on requirements).
• Direct behavioural observation of the child either play based (for younger children) or conversation based (for older children) using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) where appropriate.
• A feedback session of the findings.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child , Young person

Referral Sources: Education, Social Care, Yourself

Covers: North West

Specialisms: Autism, Autism and Neurodivergent , Challenging behaviour