West Midlands Autism and ADHD
Assessment Service
Multidisciplinary assessments for adults, children and young people
Frequently Asked Questions
What does neuro-affirmative mean?
While we understand the value of a formal diagnosis, our assessments and reports take a neuro-affirmative approach, contextualising your individual experiences. A neuro-affirmative report views neurological differences like autism and ADHD as natural variations within human experience, rather than deficits. We focus on your strengths, preferred learning styles, and the support you need, using respectful, person-first language throughout. We acknowledge sensory and processing differences, encourage self-advocacy, and work collaboratively with you and your support network to promote well-being and create inclusive environments. Our approach celebrates neurodiversity and avoids deficit-based models.
Why are there phases to your assessment process?
We structure our assessments in phases so that the process is both clinically robust and proportionate to each individual.
Provisional registration tells our team you are interested. Nothing further happens until you have signed the Terms and Conditions and paid the Phase 1 fee using the separate emailed payment link.
After signed terms and payment, Dr Laura Onens, Dr Victoria Crooks or their team triages your registration to review whether our service is likely to meet your needs. If we identify needs we are unlikely to be able to support, we let you know and refund your payment in full before any appointment is booked.
Once your registration has been accepted following triage, you are invited to complete pre-appointment questionnaires and book Phase 1 with a Clinical Psychologist, in clinic or by video.
Phase 1 allows a Clinical Psychologist to understand your concerns, review your background information and explore whether a full assessment with our service is the best next step. Other needs may emerge at Phase 1 and lead to signposting. It also gives us an opportunity to identify whether any adaptations, additional assessment components, combined autism and ADHD assessment, or alternative recommendations may be helpful before you commit to the full cost of assessment.
If you progress to Phase 2, the assessment then moves into the formal diagnostic stages. Phase 2A focuses on observation and structured assessment measures, while Phase 2B brings together the developmental history, clinical interview and information gathered across the assessment to inform the final multidisciplinary diagnostic formulation.
This phased approach means that each stage has a clear purpose, unnecessary assessment components can be avoided, and the final diagnostic decision is based on information gathered from multiple sources rather than a single appointment or test.
At Phase 1, your psychologist explores your needs and recommends next steps. If a full assessment is felt appropriate, you can choose to proceed to Phase 2. Occasionally we may signpost you or recommend another service or step. Your Phase 1 fee covers the clinical assessment and professional advice, so no refund is given for a completed appointment in this event. There is no obligation to continue to Phase 2.
What age ranges does West Midlands Autism & ADHD Assessment Service assess?
Currently we assess children aged 6 and over for ADHD, and adults.
We assess school-age children for autism who can communicate verbally (in full sentences) and adults. If a child is younger than 6 a referral letter will be required from a paediatrician.
Will I receive an official diagnosis?
There are three possible outcomes to our assessments:
Diagnosis: An official diagnosis of Autism and/or ADHD, based on DSM-5 criteria and founded on a gold-standard assessment that aligns with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
Differential Diagnosis: There is a clear lack of evidence to support the presence of ASD and/or ADHD. Instead, there is stronger evidence to support an alternative explanation.
Inconclusive: There is a lack of sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD. This may be due to difficulties obtaining enough information to confidently determine a positive diagnosis, or to exclude a diagnosis at the time of assessment. Further re-evaluation at an appropriate time in the future may be suggested, or an alternative pathway considered.
Even if your symptoms do not meet the threshold for a formal diagnosis, your report will detail your strengths and concerns to aid self-understanding and communication with others. We may offer a differential diagnosis that better explains your experiences.
How do you consider women’s experiences, masking and camouflaging?
We take time to listen to your experiences, including masking, camouflaging and ways you may have managed difficulties over time. Our Clinical Psychologists consider developmental history, daily life, mental and physical health, and other factors alongside autism and ADHD. We are committed to understanding women’s experiences and needs, including experiences that may previously have been overlooked. Masking is considered across genders.
Will my diagnosis be recognised by the NHS?
Assessments conducted in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines are widely recognised as meeting the clinical standards expected within NHS services. Where a diagnostic assessment has been completed by appropriately qualified professionals, using evidence-based methods and a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, there are generally no grounds for it to be treated differently to an NHS assessment.
The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice (2015) makes clear that local authorities must consider all relevant professional evidence, regardless of whether it has been obtained privately or through the NHS. It is therefore not appropriate for a diagnosis to be disregarded solely on the basis that it was completed independently, provided that the assessment meets an appropriate standard of quality and clinical rigour.
In practice, this means that recognition of a diagnosis is linked to the quality, transparency, and credibility of the assessment process. Assessments that are not sufficiently thorough or that do not follow established clinical guidelines may be subject to challenge. For this reason, it is important to ensure that any private provider adheres to recognised standards of best practice.
Our assessments are fully aligned with NICE guidance and reflect NHS England standards. They are conducted by appropriately qualified clinicians within a multidisciplinary framework and include the use of gold-standard assessment tools. Each report provides a clear clinical rationale, detailing the assessment process and evidence underpinning the diagnostic outcome.
As a result, our assessments meet the level of quality expected for recognition by the NHS, educational settings, and other statutory services.
After a private diagnosis will I be able to access treatment through the NHS?
Our assessments are aligned with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and are routinely recognised by the NHS. In some cases, your GP may request a copy of the full report to confirm NICE compliance; however, our summary letter is often sufficient for a diagnosis to be added to your medical record.
Any support or treatment provided through the NHS following diagnosis will depend on your individual circumstances. If you are already under the care of services such as a Community Mental Health Team or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), your diagnosis can typically be incorporated into your existing care, allowing adjustments to your support. If you are not currently under secondary care services, a referral from your GP may still be required, and waiting times may apply regardless of diagnosis.
Many non-medical supports for ADHD and autism are provided by charitable organisations. We provide information about these resources following diagnosis to support access to appropriate services.
For ADHD, private medication options may be available following diagnosis. In some cases, NHS GPs may agree to continue prescribing under a shared care agreement with a private provider. This is determined on an individual basis, and we recommend discussing this with your GP.
How do I access medication privately after an ADHD diagnosis?
If you’re interested in exploring medication after diagnosis, a specialist prescriber will assess your suitability and discuss options with you. There are different pathways available, including NHS, private providers, or we also offer our own medical pathway service.
If you would like to be assessed for medication through our private medical pathway, information will be provided to you on how to access this following your diagnosis. You can also find further information here: Medications
What other Post-Diagnostic Services do you Offer?
- Streamlined medical assessment and prescription services through a shared pathway.
- A comprehensive diagnostic report with tailored recommendations that considers biological, social, environmental and psychological factors.
- Post-diagnostic support sessions tailored to your unique needs
- Signposting/referral
- Psychological Therapies
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy Sensory Assessment and Support
- Guidance about working with schools and the local authority for getting education, health and care needs recognised in a formal capacity
- Certification of your diagnosis and recommendations for adjustments to third-party organisations (e.g. Higher education (Universities), schools, the local authority, NHS, the department of work and pensions e.g. disability allowance/PIP applications).
You can also find further information here: Post-Diagnostic Support Sessions
How long does an assessment take and how many appointments will I need to attend?
This will depend on the type of assessment as each phase may vary in time and number of appointments. Usually after you have attended your initial phase 1 assessment, observations require at least one appointment in clinic. The clinicial assessment may require up to 2 appointments for an autism and ADHD assessment. For more information please contact us for our assessment leaflets. For children some of these appointments will be parent-only appointments.
Once your assessment is completed we aim to provide you with a feedback appointment and comprehensive report within 6-8 weeks. Rarely, at the feedback meeting we may need to request to extend your assessment, or seek further information from you if we have been unable to formally conclude on your diagnostic outcome.
Do I need an informant from childhood to support my assessment?
Information from childhood is an important part of your developmental history, however we appreciate that adults may not always have access to a person from their childhood or items such as school reports.
It is not essential to have a childhood informant, however providing a good childhood history will help to avoid an inconclusive outcome to your diagnostic assessment. We also ask that you involve somebody who knows you very well to take part in your assessment so that perspectives can be gained from other parties.
Sometimes parents can contribute to the assessment through questionnaires if this is a suitable option for you.
Do I have to involve my child's school?
It is best practice and aligned with National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines to involve a child's school. If your child does not attend an educational setting, we usually still like to gather information from an independent third party e.g. tutor, scout-leader, dance coach etc.
Can the NHS fund my assessment?
We do not currently offer NHS-funded services through Right to Choose.
- As a private independent provider we have chosen not to commission NHS services at this time because our model prioritises:
- Individualised person-centred assessments
- Flexible, formulation-led clinical work
- Detailed, personalised feedback and recommendations
- Sustainable clinician caseloads
- NHS-commissioned pathways are structured around standardised commissioning, defined activity models and specific reporting requirements.
While appropriate within large NHS systems, these frameworks do not align with the personalised way we deliver care and the highly detailed reports we provide our clients.
Didn't find an answer to your question?
Get in touch. We would love to help.
Registration Enquiries and Secretaries: 0121 824 3297
Lyndon House Clinic Reception: 0121 824 3297
E-mail: hello@wmaaas.co.uk
Address: Lyndon House Clinic, 49 Lyndon Road, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6BS
Clinic Hours: By appointment only
Business Hours: Monday-Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Accepting new clients.
No waiting lists.
Appointments within days.
Delays in accessing assessment and support are known to impact quality of life, limit opportunities, and affect mental health. For this reason, we prioritise providing timely assessments. Always.
