Service categories: Counselling and therapies, Diagnosticians, Information, advice and advocacy

Service URL: https://www.rainbowpsychology.co.uk/

Rainbow Psychology Team

We are a multi-disciplinary team of qualified clinicians comprising Clinical Psychologists, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists and a Specialist Occupational Therapist. Dr Sam Carruthers, Chartered Clinical Psychologist is Clinical Director. Between us, we have many years of experience in the assessment of autism (for young people and adults) and adhd (adults only) both in the NHS and independent practice.

Assessment Methods

We use standardised best practice methods including the ADI-R, ADOS-2, DIVA-5, Young Diva, MIGDAS and QbCheck as recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to explore neurodivergence using international diagnostic criteria (DSM-5). As a team, we have a special interest and expertise in the assessment of girls and women and also individuals seeking an assessment later in life.

Assessment Process

Our assessment process is carried out in 2 stages. Stage 1 is our screening stage which requires completion of several standardised questionnaires followed by a 1-hour interview with a Clinical Psychologist. This stage means that individuals do not have to commit to a full assessment if this is not indicated by preliminary evidence. We will give you our clinical opinion at the end of Part 1 whether early information is suggestive of neurodivergence. You may then choose whether to proceed to Part 2 - full assessment but you are not obliged to do so if the advice given in Part 1 feels validating enough.

Our Approach

We are keen as a team to assess neurodivergence rather than seeking a diagnostic label for people which we believe on its own is unhelpful and tells us little about an individual's life. We take a neuroaffirmative approach to assessment and report writing which explores strengths as well as difficulties and differences. We will work with clients and families wherever possible to accommodate individual needs while following NICE assessment recommendations and guidance to ensure a thorough assessment. It is essential to us that clients have a good experience of being assessed and find the process flexible, easy to understand and above all compassionate. Previous client feedback has indicated that our assessment process can often feel therapeutic.

Referrals

We accept referrals for children over the age of 11 (secondary school onwards) from anywhere in the UK, although we are based in Calderdale. We accept self-funding clients and those using health insurance (AXA PPP, Aviva & Cigna). Please note that as a relatively small team, we are unfortunately unable to accept Right To Choose referrals from GP services.

Other Services

Dr Sam Carruthers, Clinical Director offers training, advice, consultation and clinical supervision on neurodivergence for individuals, schools, businesses or health professionals on request.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Adult sibling, Anyone with an Association to Autism, Businesses, Child , Child/adolescent sibling, Children under the age of 12 years, children with complex needs and their parents or carers, Parent or carer of under 18, Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of a young person, Parent/carer of an adult, Parents or carers, families, adults, Partner, Professional, School, Students, Volunteer, Young person

Referral Sources: Education, NHS and Private, NHS Consultant, NHS primary care, Private Only, Yourself

Specialisms: Autism and Neurodivergent

Other specialisms: Specialist interest and expertise in assessing neurodivergence in girls and women and those seeking late diagnosis.