Our Approach
We are a team of autism and ADHD experts who provide high quality, neuro-affirmative assessments across the age range within a relaxed and comfortable environment.
We adopt a holistic approach to our assessments. This means that we aim to look beyond the ‘label’ to understand and affirm a person’s unique perception of the world whilst respecting the diagnostic framework that we work within to ensure that people and families have access to the support they need.
We always use our clinical judgement to determine if a child, young person or adult meets criteria for a diagnosis of autism and/or ADHD or whether their differences or concerns are better understood in other ways.
Why choose us?
- Our assessments are fully NICE compliant. This means that for clients up to the age of 18 we include a medical assessment undertaken by a paediatrician as part of the overall assessment. This is common practice in the NHS but is not always adhered to in the private sector.
- Our assessments are undertaken by a team of highly experienced clinicians who are regulated by their respective professional bodies (e.g., GMC, HCPC).
- We only use gold standard assessment tools, including the ADI-R and the ADOS-2.
- The observational assessment is always conducted in-person following evidence-based administration guidelines.
- We include a sensory profile as part of our assessment because we recognise that sensory processing is an important component in understanding and supporting neurodiverse people.
- We offer a post-assessment follow up consultation as part of the assessment to provide additional space to process the outcome of the assessment, discuss specific concerns and signpost where appropriate.
- The outcome of the assessment will be recognised by external organisations.
Meet The Team
Dr Ananda van den Heuvel
Chartered Clinical Psychologist
BSc, MSc, DClinPsych, MBPS, Cpsychol
HCPC Registration Number: PYL27204
As a clinical psychologist with over 15 years experience, Ananda has a special interest in working with neurodiverse children and their families. She has extensive experience of supporting children, adults and families presenting with complex needs, including those with neurodiverse profiles and co-occurring mental health needs and/or developmental difficulties (e.g., feeding, toileting, sleeping). She uses evidence-based assessments and interventions to enable new understandings to emerge that support the development of a positive sense of self and capacity for psychological growth.
Ananda has worked across the NHS and private sector throughout her career, including in Community Child Health, Neurorehabilitation, and Adult Mental Health Services. She has completed significant post-qualification training in multiple therapeutic approaches including Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Mentalization Based Therapy for Families (MBT-F), and Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), alongside extensive training in autism and ADHD.
Ananda is passionate about supporting children with autism and their families and uses the breadth of her therapeutic experience and empathic manner to support children and their families through the journey of the diagnostic process and beyond.
Julie Gray
Speech and Language Therapist
BSc (hons), MRCSLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL04816
Julie has worked for the NHS as a Speech and Language Therapist since 1994 working with children with speech, language and communication needs. She is a Clinical Lead for Language Disorder and Developmental Disorder which involves developing care pathways across Kent, offering supervision and developing/ delivering training.
Alongside this, Julie supports children and young people in mainstream schools and a special school for children and young people with ASD. Julie enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary to ensure the best outcomes for the families she works with.
Julie has a special interest in working with neurodiverse children and their families and school settings, from the diagnostic process and beyond.
Dr Obori Ikpeme
Consultant Paediatrician (Acute and Community Paediatrics)
Dr Obori Ikpeme is a leading consultant paediatrician based in Kent. He specialises in autism, child development, neuro disability, alongside various medical conditions such as constipation and wheezing.
Dr Ikpeme, who is highly qualified with an MB, BS and an MD, has a comprehensive approach to his work, which enables him to address various medical and developmental issues that children may face. Through his research pursuits, which have been published in various medical journals, he aims to enhance understanding and treatment options for critical areas of paediatric care.
He provides both acute and community paediatric services, which allows him to provide holistic care to children in various settings. His dedication to this, combined with his expertise, has earned him the position of Named Doctor Safeguarding Children in his NHS role. He plays a crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable children.
In addition to his clinical and research roles, Dr Ikpeme is actively involved in medical education and training and was, until recently, the Simulation Lead of Paediatrics at his NHS base.
Dr Ikpeme’s contributions to the field of paediatrics, through his clinical practice, education, and research activities, are a testament to his passion for child health and development. His dedication to safeguarding children and enhancing medical education further solidifies his standing as a respected and caring paediatrician.
Jo Norrington
Occupational Therapist, BSc. (Hons), MRCOT.
Jo is an Occupational Therapist and has been working for the NHS for 17 years in a range of settings and found her passion for working with children 8 years ago. Jo is now clinical lead for the local team and has a special interest in developmental trauma, autism, and how our sensory beings shape the way we live our lives.
Jo has completed additional study in sensory integration and has carried out a research project around trauma-informed care.
Jo is always seeking out to work with the latest evidence base and enjoys collaborative working in order to provide the most holistic care for children, young people, and their families.