Neurodevelopmental Lifespan Services

Psicon has provided assessments for individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions for the last 10 years. We provide the service to the NHS across Kent and we have seen individuals privately from all over the country.

As a team we are very aware of the challenges that an individual can face when they have spent many years without a diagnosis to help them better understand themselves. We have worked with many adults who have found life very difficult as they have always recognised that they think or act differently but never been able to explain it. This can leave people feeling very unhappy, as they seem to often miss opportunity or continue to make the same ‘mistakes’.

There seem to be many benefits from finally receiving a diagnosis. Understanding oneself better is the first but also to help partners, family, friends and work colleagues better understand them. It starts an individual's journey into reading and researching their condition and begin to develop targeted strategies to help them manage. There are many ways to support oneself and others with a neurodevelopmental condition and the diagnosis is just the start of the process.

Psicon offers a comprehensive diagnostic assessment service of Autistic Spectrum Conditions for those aged 16 and over. The diagnostic assessment utilises the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) of the National Autistic Society or Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule (ADOS) and follows these steps:

Step 1: Screening

It can be difficult to know if your experience is associated with Autism. Once you contact Psicon, we will use a screening procedure to determine if an assessment is necessary. This is to avoid any unnecessary expense of money or time for you. Should the screening suggest there is sufficient evidence to suggest that your experience might be due to Autism, we begin the next stage.

Step 2: Information Gathering

Once a referral has been accepted, the Psicon team will set about gathering relevant information. This will usually involve an assistant psychologist gaining contact details from you and speaking with the individuals directly – with your permission. This is most often a parent or family member who can describe you as a child. This is important as there are often signs that are very important that are only observable during childhood. If there is not anyone who can offer this information, the assessing clinician should be able to work around it.

Step 3: Assessment Day

On the assessment day you will be interviewed by a clinical psychologist who will ask questions relating to many aspects of how you think and feel about certain issues. The interview is based on a standardized method of assessment called the DISCO and is recognized as one of the most accurate and reliable means to identify and diagnose autism in adults.

Step 4: Receiving the diagnosis

The diagnosis will be offered on the day – most often immediately after the assessment. You will have a chance to discuss the outcome with the assessing clinician.

Step 5: The Report

After your assessment you will receive a copy of your report. It will contain a full break down of the process and contain all the information used to make the diagnosis.

If you already have a diagnosis of Autism and are looking for support, please click here to see the services we offer.

Psicon Autism Spectrum Diagnostic Service for Adults

Step 1: Screening

Step 2: Information Gathering

Step 3: Assessment Day

Step 4: Receiving the diagnosis

Step 5: The Report

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