FAQS

Please reach us at hello@wmaaas.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Why do I need to attend an initial assessment if ASD and ADHD assessment has already been recommended to me by another service?

Our initial assessment serves as your first point of contact with the diagnostic team. It allows us to not only ensure a diagnostic assessment is appropriate, but to be able to tailor the assessment to your own unique needs. For example, if you experience sensory processing difficulties you may benefit from an Occupational Therapist being part of your diagnostic team in the formal assessment.

What age ranges does West Midlands Autism & ADHD Assessment Service assess?

Currently we assess children aged 8 and over for ADHD, and adults.
We assess children for autism who can communicate verbally, and adults.

Will I receive an official diagnosis?

Diagnosis: We offer official diagnoses of ASD and/or ADHD based on DSM-V criteria and founded on a gold-standard assessment that aligns with National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
Symptom Profile: Even if your symptoms do not reach 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 symptoms.
Doctor Qualifications: Our doctors are fully qualified clinical psychologists recognised as appropriately skilled to diagnose ASD and ADHD.
Specialised Training: Our doctors have advanced training in diagnostic assessments for ASD and ADHD.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: Diagnoses are made within a multi-professional team, enabling consultation on complex cases with clinicians from other professional backgrounds (e.g. speech and language therapy).
ASD Assessment: All autism assessments have a speech and language therapist as part of the clinical team as standard.

Will my diagnosis be recognised by other professionals?

From a quality perspective, our assessments align with National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) best practice guidance. This is the gold standard level of assessment. You will be supplied with a comprehensive report that gives a full clinical rationale for your diagnostic outcome and account of the assessment components undertaken to reach that diagnostic decision. There will be no grounds for challenge based on the quality of the assessment. In the rare event you find your diagnosis challenged, we would be able to successfully support you to challenge any third-party who does not automatically recognise your diagnosis.

After a private diagnosis will I be able to access treatment through the NHS?

Your diagnosis will be professionally recognised as a quality assessment that has been undertaken in accordance with National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines. Receiving treatment through the NHS post diagnostically however will depend on your own unique circumstances. For example, if you are already under a Community Mental Health Team, your team should recognise your diagnosis and adjust your interventions accordingly. If you are not under a secondary care mental health service, you will still need to be referred by your GP to psychiatry services and this may present a wait, regardless of your official diagnosis.

Many non-medical interventions for ADHD and ASD are often provided by the charity sector. We will signpost you to these organisations which you will be able to access with your diagnosis.

You will be able to access medication privately after you have received your diagnosis of ADHD and sometimes NHS GP's may agree to continue regular prescriptions through a shared-care agreement with your private doctor. It is important that you seek advice from your own GP about whether they would be able to do this.

Can you prescribe medication if I receive a diagnosis of ADHD?

An ADHD diagnosis does not guarantee medication eligibility. A separate medical assessment is required.

We collaborate with a GMC registered GP and psychiatrist for your medication assessment.

The medical assessment may include:
- Height and weight measurements
- Medical history review
- Blood pressure check
- Additional blood tests (if necessary)
- ECG (if necessary)

The assessment and first prescription cost approximately £300.

Additional tests (blood tests, ECG) may incur extra charges.

Your NHS GP may be willing to conduct the necessary blood tests and ECG upon our recommendation.

A diagnosis sought privately does not guarantee treatment from the NHS so you may need to be prepared to manage the monthly prescription cost. A monthly prescription of ADHD medication costs around £50-60 per month. However, many of our clients find their GPs may be willing to engage in a shared-care agreement with the private psychiatrist and take over issuing of any regular prescription. As NHS Trust policies and individual GP practices vary, we recommend discussing this possibility with your GP.

What other post-diagnostic services do you offer?

Streamlined medical asssessment and prescription services through a clinical partner
Post-diagnostic psychoeducation sessions
A comprehensive diagnostic report with tailored recommendations
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).

How many appointments will I need to attend?

This will depend on the type of assessment. For more information please contact us for our assessment leaflets.

How long will an assessment take?

Once all components of your assessment have been completed we aim to write the report and feedback this to you in 6 weeks.
In some cases 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.

I am an adult, do I need a childhood informant?

Information from childhood is a crucial 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. It may also be helpful to have a partner or close confidant 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 you offer payment plans?

Unfortunately we do not offer payment plans.

Where will my appointments take place?

We are based in Sutton Coldfield. Upon request some appointments can take place over video, however some parts of the assessment may require you to travel to clinic. This will depend on the type of assessment you are undertaking.

Do you operate a waiting list?

No we do not operate a waiting list. Once you have decided to pursue an assessment with us we will be able to schedule your appointments immediately.

I am female, will my traits of autism or ADHD be recognised?

As we are psychology led, our team are expert placed to understand the nuance of autism and ADHD presentations in females. All of our assessments are grounded in psychological theory and as such, we are able to understand clients who may mask traits or compensate for some of their symptoms.

What does neuro-affirmative mean?

Although we recognise that it can be helpful to have a formal diagnosis, our assessments and reports will contextualise your challenges in a neuro-affirmative approach. A neuro-affirmative report is an assessment that views neurological differences like autism and ADHD as variations in human experience, not deficits. It focuses on an individual's strengths, preferred learning styles, and necessary supports while using respectful, person-first language. It acknowledges sensory and processing differences, promotes self-advocacy, and collaborates with individuals and their support systems to foster well-being and create inclusive environments. Ultimately, it celebrates neurodiversity and avoids deficit-based models.

FAQS

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