Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of disorders that affect the development of the nervous system, leading to abnormal brain function which may affect emotion, learning ability, self-control, and memory. The effects of neurodevelopmental disorders tend to last for a person's lifetime. Our assessments include: Autistic Spectrum Conditions (known as ASC or Autism Spectrum Disorder) and learning disability, including exploration and understanding of carer/person relationship difficulties.

Autistic Spectrum Conditions

Autistic Spectrum Conditions (also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder) are lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by difficulties with social interaction, social communication and restricted patterns of interest, behaviour or activities. There may also be hypo or hyperactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment. It is a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people and how they experience the world around them. Some people who are diagnosed may have additional learning difficulties or neurodevelopmental difficulties. These assessments will be undertaken by our Senior Consultant Counselling Psychologist & Neurodevelopmental Specialist Dr Marisa Lewis.

What are the advantages of a diagnosis?

If someone meets the diagnostic criteria for ASD, this condition is something that they will have throughout their entire life. A diagnosis can therefore help a person to gain a better understanding of who they are, and why they find certain situations more difficult than other people. This is helpful both for the person receiving the diagnosis, but also those who spend time with them. A diagnosis can help everyone involved to gain a better understanding, and to recognise appropriate strategies and approaches to help the person cope with life's challenges more effectively. Gaining a diagnosis can also be beneficial because it allows people to access additional service, or to apply for benefits to fund additional support. It can also encourage employers or educational settings to use reasonable adjustments.

Cognitive Assessment

An intellectual disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.  People with an intellectual disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complicated information and interact with other people. The level of support someone needs depends on the individual. For example, someone with a mild intellectual disability may only need support with things like getting a job. However, someone with a severe or profound intellectual disability may need full time care and support with every aspect of their life – they may also have physical disabilities. People with certain specific conditions may also have an intellectual disability . For example, people with Down’s syndrome and some people with autism have an intellectual disability. An intellectual disability can be mild, moderate or severe. Some people with a mild intellectual disability can talk easily and look after themselves but take a bit longer than usual to learn new skills. Others may not be able to communicate at all and have more than one disability.

Halliday Quinn Limited offers a stand-alone assessment, assessing the adult’s overall cognitive ability, including verbal and visual processing, working memory and processing speed. If we undertake a formal assessment for an intellectual disability, we also undertake an assessment of adaptive functioning, which looks at the individual’s skills across a range of areas. This includes Communication, Daily Living Skills, and Socialisation. These assessments will be undertaken by our Senior Consultant Counselling Psychologist & Neurodevelopmental Specialist Dr Marisa Lewis.

Initial Assessments

The initial appointments are available separately as a single appointment, or as part of a complete diagnostics assessment within the neurodevelopmental pathway. Following assessment, a report outlining recommendations will be provided. Depending on the needs of the individual/ family, screening may involve some or all of the following:

• Discussing reasons for the assessment
• Talking through the assessment processes
• Discussing possible outcomes from the assessment
• Gaining an understanding of the adult’s presenting difficulties
• Discussing the advantages and disadvantages of assessment and/ or diagnosis
• Completion of screening questionnaires
• Consideration of the most appropriate assessments to be undertaken by the team

Complete Assessments

• 1 hour initial session
• 1 hour observation session
• 3-5 hours main assessment/developmental history
• 1 hour feedback session
• Report production 5 hours

Our reports are comprehensive and will include detailed guidance for support and professional recommendations. If needs are highlighted during the assessment Occupational therapy/Sensory processing and Speech & Language assessments can be provided in addition to the autism assessments.

Following diagnosis, our team will also be able to offer the following post-diagnostic support: One to one support sessions, therapy around specific issues, community engagement and help with social engagement. Anxiety and panic strategies, coping strategies, support with employment, support with college or university, training other professionals on your diagnosis.