“Education for neurodivergent people can enhance their skills and ability to prosper with the right support and inclusive environments” – Neurodiversity Academy
The term ADHD has the word “disorder” and ASC has the word “condition” in it’s title; however we would much rather define these terms as differences in the way individuals process and integrate information- and at the end of the day there is no right or wrong way to perceive the world! But through comprehensively understanding the way an individual assimilates information, we have greater insight into how we can optimise their environment to ensure that they are reaching their full potential and accessing their resources whilst maintaining good emotional regulation.
Neurodiversity assessments allow us to find out a person’s personal strengths and how to accommodate for any difficulties. More specifically, our practice has extensive experience in assessing for the following presentations:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
According to NICE, around 2.6million people in the UK have ADHD. No two people will present as the same, and there are multiple different indications of ADHD, with the most common difficulties defined around an individual’s ability to concentrate and maintain their attention on a task/activity. Historically, individuals with ADHD were perceived as being distracted quickly and unable to sit still to complete a task. Although this remains true, however our understanding of ADHD has evolved/deepened, and we now know that ADHD may present in various different ways. That’s why our assessments are comprehensive and target all aspects of your life such as relationships, emotional wellbeing, workplace/educational attainment etc.
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
ASC is defined with respect to the way an individual communicates and interacts which often varies individually. For instance, some people can present with limited to no speech and language whereas others show very proficient linguistic abilities. Generally, individuals with ASC like to have a routine and enjoy certain topics/ objects. They are also more attuned to incoming sensory information such as lights, noises, and the feel of certain items. Thus, having an assessment ensures that they are entitled to any provisions deemed necessary to help them excel (such as extra time in an exam, one-to-one support, emotional support etc.) or even an understanding that it doesn’t have to be categorised as a disorder but rather a difference in abilities or in the way your brain perceives information and interactions and reacts to it.
What to expect from a Neurodiversity Assessment?
Our assessments follow the NICE Guidelines, and thus an extensive psychology assessment is usually administered which is detailed below:
Step One: The first step is gathering information from the relevant informants and/or previous reports, screening for the clients psychological issues/ disorders, cognitive functioning , other potential mental health presentation, specific learning difficulties, or other learning disabilities.
Step Two: We meet with the client, and they undergo a series of tests which look at their fundamental cognitive areas and mental functioning (such as attention span, concentration, and organisational skills). All of our chosen tests are renowned for their validity and are systematically conducted.
Step Three (for children only): We may ask to visit them at school and/or ask for their school’s input, to understand how they present in multiple settings.
Step Four: We formulate the diagnosis and the respective treatment plan and schedule a feedback session where we can verbally explain the results and provide you with a complimentary written report.
If you would like to book a free initial introductory call with our client support team to enquire about any of our assessments further, please send an email to support@chatservices.co.uk and we would be happy to assist you as well as provide a detailed quote for the required assessment.