Oasis Psychological Services

02/08/2025

“Could This Be ADHD, Autism — or Both?” A Neurodivergent-Centred Perspective

Many people — especially women, non-binary individuals, and those who’ve spent years masking — reach a point where they begin to wonder:

“Why do I feel different?”
“Could this be ADHD, Autism, or both?”
“How have I managed for so long, and why does it feel harder now?”

At Oasis, our assessments are designed to make sense of your lived experience. We don’t rely solely on checklists — we take time to understand how things have felt across your life.

We listen for the story beneath the surface — how you’ve managed, what’s been misunderstood, what’s helped, and what it’s cost you.

Our approach is affirming, collaborative, and grounded in clinical expertise as well as deep respect for your lived experience. We follow NICE guidelines throughout the assessment process, and all of our clinicians are highly trained, HCPC-registered professionals with extensive experience in both ADHD and Autism across the lifespan.

A diagnosis, if appropriate, isn’t a label — it’s a lens. One that can bring clarity, self-compassion, and access to meaningful support.

💻 We offer assessments online or in person from our base in Kent
🧠 For adults, children, and young people

📩 Email us at [email protected] to enquire or book an initial consultation.

02/08/2025

A very insightful blog by my colleague, Carien Sabey, Occupational Therapist, reflecting on the emotional and mental work that rarely gets named, but is always there for families supporting children with invisible disabilities.

It speaks so clearly to the ongoing, often unseen effort many of you know all too well — the thinking ahead, the regulating, the advocating, the constant adapting. If you’ve ever felt that others don’t quite see the full picture, this piece may offer recognition and comfort.

🧡 Invisible Disabilities: The Hidden Load on Families
By Carien Sabey
👉 https://sabeyot.com/the-hidden-load-of-invisible-disabilities-on-families

“But they don’t look disabled…”

If you’re raising or teaching a child who is autistic, ADHD, sensory-sensitive, or navigating trauma, anxiety, or chronic pain, you might have heard these or similar words. You’ve probably felt it.

Invisible disabilities don’t come with a visual cue. They come with a whole lot of invisible labour from the child and their family. These are the kids who often get labelled “normal”, “naughty,” “lazy,” or “too much,” when what’s really happening is overwhelm, dysregulatiInvisible disabilities don’t come with a visual cue. They come with a whole lot of invisible labour from the child and their family. These are the kids who often get labelled “normal”, “naughty,” “lazy,” or “too much,” when what’s really happening is overwhelm, dysregulati , or shutdown.

These are the families managing:
🌀 School meltdowns
🌀 Misunderstood behaviour
🌀 Systems that demand proof
🌀 All while being judged

In our recent article, we share what it’s really like and what helps:
💛 Leading with kindness
💛 Believing families
💛 Supporting instead of “fixing”
💛 Celebrating differently

If you’re in this too, you’re not alone. And if you’re not, but want to better understand, we invite you to read with curiosity.

Link in comments.

29/07/2025

🌟 “My neurodiversity helps me play at the highest level” – Lucy Bronze

We wanted to share this beautiful piece from UEFA, where footballer Lucy Bronze opens up about her neurodivergence and how it’s shaped her as a person and a player.

She speaks honestly about being seen as “different” growing up, feeling misunderstood at times and how, looking back, those differences are part of what makes her who she is.
More than that they’re part of what makes her brilliant.

“My neurodiversity is what allows me to play football at the highest level.”

For so many of the families and adults we work with — including those coming to understand their neurodivergence later in life — this kind of story matters.
It reminds us that being neurodivergent isn’t a limitation. It’s a different way of experiencing the world.
And often, it’s a source of strength.

Not because someone “succeeds despite it” — but because their brain works in a way that brings unique focus, creativity, persistence, and passion.

There’s still a lot of work to do around awareness, access, and support — but we also need more of these stories.
Stories of thriving. Of being accepted as you are. Of using your differences, not hiding them.

Here’s the article if you’d like to read:
🔗 https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/news/029b-1e520f9f2e52-5198bfdda1c2-1000–lucy-bronze-my-neurodiversity-helps-me-play-at-the-highest-/

🧠🌿 If you or your child are exploring what it means to be neurodivergent — and are looking for a team who can offer compassionate, specialist assessment and support — we’re here.

At Oasis Psychological Services, we offer high-quality, neuroaffirming ADHD and Autism assessments for both children and adults, as well as thoughtful post-diagnostic support to help you make sense of your story, at your pace.

02/02/2025

🌟Comprehensive ADHD & Autism Assessments – A Neuroaffirming Approach🌟

At Oasis Psychological Services, we understand that ADHD and Autism don’t always look like the stereotypes. Many children, adolescents, and adults go undiagnosed for years because their experiences don’t fit the traditional mould.

Our neuroaffirming assessments go beyond a checklist of symptoms. We take a comprehensive, strengths-based approach, exploring:
✅ Unique challenges and strengths
✅ Possible co-occurring conditions
✅ Individual identity and lived experiences
✅ Personalised recommendations for support at school, home, work, and relationships

Our assessments are a collaborative process, ensuring you feel heard, understood, and supported—whether for yourself or your child.

📍 Assessments for children & adolescents: Face-to-face in our Ashford offices (parental interviews can be online).
💻 Assessments for adults: Choice of face-to-face in our offices or online.

We are a highly experienced and well-established service led by specialist Clinical Psychologists with extensive expertise in ADHD and Autism across the lifespan. Our team has supported individuals of all ages—including those whose profiles do not fit traditional diagnostic stereotypes. Families and individuals travel from across the UK, including Kent, London, Surrey, Sussex, and Wales, to access our in-depth, neuroaffirming assessments.

📩 **Book an initial consultation with one of our Clinical Psychologists**:
📧 [email protected]

We aim to offer a caring and professional mental health service provision that is tailored to the needs of our service-users. Learn more inside.