Choosing a private autism or ADHD assessment isn’t simply about finding someone to carry out an assessment.
It’s about finding the right team you can trust to truly understand your child, listen to your concerns, and provide clear, evidence-based answers that help your family move forward.
At Spectrum North West, we’ve built our service around one simple belief:
Every child deserves to be seen, heard and understood.
Everything we do flows from that belief.
At A Glance
Spectrum North West combines experienced clinicians, recognised assessment methods and a child-centred approach to provide:
- HCPC registered clinicians
- Extensive NHS experience
- Face to face autism and ADHD assessments
- Gold-standard assessment tools including ADOS-2 and DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders)
- An assessment approach in line with NICE guidance
- Clear, evidence-based reports
What Makes Spectrum North West Different
Experienced, HCPC-Registered NHS Clinicians
Our team, including Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and an Occupational Therapist, has many years of experience working within NHS neurodevelopmental services and private practice.
Every assessment is carried out by clinicians who understand the complexity of autism and ADHD and recognise that no two children are the same. Several of us are parents of neurodivergent children ourselves, which shapes how we work with every family who comes to us.
We See The Whole Child
Some children are naturally outgoing.
Some communicate very little.
Some work incredibly hard to mask their difficulties.
Others present very differently at home and at school.
Rather than expecting children to fit a standard assessment, we adapt our approach to understand each individual child, considering their strengths, differences, challenges and everyday experiences.
Because every child deserves to be understood, not simply assessed.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
Autism and ADHD are complex. By bringing together clinicians with different areas of expertise, we’re able to build a more complete, balanced understanding of each child than any one professional could achieve alone. It’s an approach families can have confidence in.
Thorough, Evidence-Based Assessments
Our assessments take an approach in line with NICE guidance and use established, gold-standard diagnostic tools, including ADOS-2 and DISCO, alongside experienced clinical judgement.
Rather than relying on a single observation or questionnaire, we carefully consider information from multiple sources to ensure every assessment is as accurate and comprehensive as possible.
Face to Face Assessments
- How children interact.
- How they respond to change.
- How they engage with people around them.
Many of these important observations are best made in person. That’s why our autism and ADHD assessments are carried out face to face in a calm, welcoming environment designed to help children feel comfortable enough to be themselves.
It also matters when you come to share your report. NHS services will often ask whether the team met the person face to face, rather than over a video screen.
Clear, Practical Reports
Families often tell us that, for the first time, they feel their child has truly been understood. Receiving their report gives them answers, clarity and a better understanding of what comes next.
Our reports don’t simply explain whether diagnostic criteria have been met. They explain why, provide practical recommendations, and help families better understand their child’s strengths, differences and support needs, so they can support conversations with schools, colleges and universities with confidence.
Accepted By The NHS, Wherever It’s Funded
Our assessments take into account NICE guidelines, whether they are privately funded or funded through the NHS. This means the way we work is designed to be accepted regardless of who is paying for the assessment.
Support Beyond The Assessment
Receiving a diagnosis is often the beginning of a family’s journey, not the end.
For many families, receiving a diagnosis brings relief, but it also raises new questions. Understanding what comes next is just as important as understanding the diagnosis itself.
That’s why we’re committed to providing clear communication, honest advice and compassionate support throughout the assessment process, helping families feel informed, reassured and supported at every stage.
Not Sure Yet? Start With A Conversation
If you’re still deciding whether an assessment is the right next step, you don’t need to work that out alone. Our pre-diagnostic consultation is a lower-commitment way to talk it through with a clinician first, before committing to a full assessment.
What Families Value Most
Families choose Spectrum North West because they value:
- Experienced, HCPC registered NHS clinicians
- A team combining different specialisms in every assessment
- Face-to-face assessments
- A child-centred approach
- Thorough, evidence-based clinical assessments using gold-standard tools
- Clear reports with practical recommendations
- Compassionate support from first enquiry to final report
Learn More
You may also find these resources helpful:
- Meet our clinicians
- What happens during an autism assessment
- Will a private autism assessment be accepted by the NHS
- Pre-Diagnostic Consultation
Still Have Questions?
Choosing an autism or ADHD assessment is an important decision, and we understand you’ll want to feel confident before taking the next step.
To help, we have listed some of the frequently asked questions and answers below. Alternatively, if you’d like to discuss your concerns or find out whether an assessment is right for your child, we’re here to help.