What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Every Mind Psychology, The Flat at Balimore, Basingstoke Road, Reading (2026)

Q: What is the address?

The Flat At Balimore, Basingstoke Road

04/08/2026

Parents often ask: “What does it mean that your assessments follow NICE guidelines?”

In short — it means your child gets a safe, thorough, evidence-based autism assessment that looks at the whole person, not just a moment in time.

NICE guidelines ensure:
💛 A full developmental history
💛 Multidisciplinary input
💛 Gold-standard assessment tools
💛 Sensory & communication understanding
💛 Clear, supportive feedback
💛 Strengths-based, person-first practice

At Every Mind, we meet these by combining Clinical Psychology expertise with multidisciplinary teamwork, detailed assessment sessions, and accessible reports that help families move forward with confidence.

Because every child deserves an assessment that truly understands them.

08/07/2026

✨ Book Recommendation for Families & Young People ✨

We had a lovely recommendation from a family this week, and I wanted to pass it on because it’s such a beautiful resource.

My Different Brain by Orlanda Bettison is a gentle, affirming book that helps children understand that brains can work in lots of different ways — and that those differences are real, valid, and part of what makes each person wonderfully themselves.

The family shared how much it helped their child feel seen and understood. It explains neurodivergence in a way that is clear, compassionate, and celebratory, making it a brilliant addition to any home, school, or therapy space.

If you’re looking for a book that supports conversations about how brains think, feel, and process the world differently, this is a gorgeous place to start. 💛

30/06/2026

🌱 What Is the Double Empathy Problem — And Why It Matters for Neurodivergent Young People

When autistic or otherwise neurodivergent young people struggle to connect with others, it’s often assumed that they are the ones having difficulty understanding social cues, emotions, or communication. Far too often, the neurodivergent person believes it is their fault, they are to blame, that they need to learn to do things differently.

But research shows something very different — and far more hopeful.

💡 The Double Empathy Problem
The double empathy problem describes the idea that communication challenges between autistic and non‑autistic people are mutual, not one‑sided.

It’s not that neurodivergent young people “lack social skills”.
It’s that two people with different communication styles, sensory needs, and ways of understanding the world are trying to connect — and both may struggle to interpret the other.

In other words:
✨ It’s a mismatch, not a deficit.

💬 What does this mean for neurodivergent young people?
1️⃣ Their communication is valid — even if others don’t immediately “get it”.
Autistic and ADHD young people often communicate with honesty, directness, creativity, or deep detail. These are strengths, not problems.

2️⃣ Misunderstandings are often caused by differences, not “social deficits”.
Non‑autistic peers and adults may misinterpret behaviour, tone, or body language simply because they’re expecting neurotypical communication.

3️⃣ Relationships improve when both sides learn about each other.
When teachers, parents, and peers understand neurodivergent communication, connection becomes easier and more meaningful.

4️⃣ It reduces shame and self‑blame.
Young people realise:
“You’re not broken. You’re communicating in a way that makes sense for your brain.”

5️⃣ It highlights the need for neuroaffirming environments.
Spaces that honour different communication styles help neurodivergent young people feel safe, understood, and respected.

🌈 Why this matters
The double empathy problem shifts the narrative from
❌ “Autistic young people struggle socially”
to
✔️ “People understand each other best when both communication styles are respected.”

It’s a reminder that connection is a two‑way street — and that neurodivergent young people thrive when the world meets them halfway.

22/06/2026

✨ GCSEs are finally over!
For many teenagers, this brings excitement, relief, and the promise of long summer days. But for lots of neurodivergent young people, this time can feel very different.

When the structure of school suddenly disappears, routines change overnight, and the next step feels uncertain, anxiety can stay high — even when the exams are done.

If your young person is feeling unsettled right now, they’re not alone.

Here are some gentle ways to support the transition into summer:

🌱 Create a predictable weekly rhythm
Not a strict timetable — just anchors like wake‑up times, meals, activities, or family routines.

🎯 Build in a sense of purpose
Small, meaningful goals: baking, learning a skill, volunteering, caring for pets, creative projects, or helping with something at home.

🧭 Offer choice within structure
Two or three options for activities can feel safer than open‑ended days.

💬 Talk about the next step at their pace
College, sixth form, apprenticeships — these transitions are big. Slow, steady conversations help reduce overwhelm.

🌤️ Plan in rest and recovery
GCSEs are exhausting. Many neurodivergent teens need time to decompress before they can think about what’s next.

A long summer can feel exciting and scary. Both can be true.
And with the right support, this can become a season of growth, confidence and calm.

08/06/2026

Why “Understanding Your Diagnosis” Sessions Can Make a Big Difference

After an autism or ADHD diagnosis, many young people feel relief but also confusion, curiosity, or big questions about what it all means for them.

That’s why we offer ‘Understanding Your Diagnosis’ sessions with our Assistant Psychologists. These sessions give young people a safe, gentle space to explore their neurodivergence in a way that feels validating and empowering.

Why it matters
Research shows that when autistic or ADHD young people feel connected to and aligned with their neurodivergent identity, their mental health is significantly better.
Studies highlight that:

A positive neurodivergent identity is linked with lower anxiety and depression

Feeling understood reduces internalised stigma

Understanding strengths and needs supports confidence and self‑advocacy

(Cooper et al., 2021; Botha & Frost, 2020)

What we explore
In these sessions, we help young people:

-Understand what their diagnosis means for them

-Explore strengths, sensory and communication preferences

-Make sense of past experiences with compassion

-Build language for talking about their neurodivergence confidently

-Learn strategies that honour who they are

A diagnosis isn’t an ending — it’s the start of understanding yourself more fully.

We’re here to support that journey with clarity, kindness, and neuroaffirming care.

01/06/2026

Why we choose the DISCO over shorter developmental history tools when completing autism assessments

At Every Mind, we prioritise assessments that are thorough, neuroaffirming and clinically robust. That’s why we use the DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders) as our developmental history tool when we interview our parents.

Shorter interviews can be useful for screening, but they often rely on brief checklists and may miss the more subtle patterns that matter most — especially for:

✨ girls and other young people, whose autistic traits often present differently
✨ children who mask or camouflage, showing very different behaviour at home vs. school
✨ children with complex profiles, including PDA, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, or sensory differences

The DISCO allows us to explore these nuances in a way that quicker tools simply can’t.

The DISCO provides:
🔹 a detailed developmental timeline across early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence
🔹 rich information about sensory, emotional, communication and social experiences
🔹 space to understand masking, burnout, fluctuating capacity and context‑dependent behaviour
🔹 a strengths‑based picture of your child’s identity and lived experience
🔹 excellent support for differential diagnosis, helping us distinguish autism from trauma, anxiety, attachment needs, ADHD, learning differences and other neurodevelopmental profiles
🔹 a formulation that guides meaningful, personalised recommendations — not just a diagnostic label

This depth is essential for accurate, respectful assessment and for writing recommendations that genuinely help children access education, relationships and wellbeing.

Yes this takes time to do and the DISCO can take a good few hours to complete! But parents tell us that they enjoy telling their child's story, that they don't feel rushed and feel heard and validated by the end.

We choose the DISCO because your child’s story deserves time, care and nuance — and because subtle autistic profiles deserve to be recognised, not overlooked.

20/05/2026

🌿 Why After‑School Meltdowns Happen — and How to Support Your Child

If your child comes home from school and triggers the moment they walk through the door, you’re not alone. Many neurodivergent children hold it together all day, only to release all the built‑up stress the second they’re somewhere safe.

This isn’t “bad behaviour”. It’s a sign of how hard they’ve been working to cope.

✨ Why after‑school meltdowns happen:

They’ve been masking all day
Many children spend hours trying to fit in, follow expectations, and hide their overwhelm. Home is where they finally feel safe enough to let go.

Sensory overload has built up
Busy classrooms, noise, smells, bright lights, constant transitions — it’s a lot for a sensitive nervous system.

Social and emotional fatigue
Navigating friendships, group work, and unstructured times like lunch or break can be exhausting.

Holding in emotions
Children often “save” their big feelings for the people they trust most.

Executive function burnout
Following instructions, switching tasks, and staying organised takes huge mental effort for ADHD and autistic children.

✨ How you can support your child:

Create a calm, predictable homecoming routine
Soft lighting, quiet space, no immediate demands.

Offer connection without pressure
A gentle “I’m glad you’re home” goes a long way.

Provide sensory regulation options
Snacks, movement, deep pressure, quiet time, or a favourite activity.

Avoid questions straight away
Give their brain time to decompress before talking about the day.

Let them express feelings safely
Meltdowns are not choices — they’re a nervous system response.

Focus on co‑regulation, not correction
Your calm presence helps their body settle.

💛 After‑school meltdowns don’t mean your child is struggling at home — they mean your child feels safe with you. And with understanding, compassion, and the right supports, afternoons can become much easier for everyone.

20/05/2026

Family Wellbeing Course - SPACES STILL AVAILABLE - Course starts 17th June 2026 - age 5-11 age group

Are you the parent or carer of a child who is autistic, or awaiting an autism diagnostic assessment? Using evidence-based approaches to thriving and a library of videos created by autistic children and young people, our 6 week course aims to deepen your understanding of your autistic child while also focusing on your own wellbeing as a parent/carer.

For further information, including details of how to book, please see our website https://research.reading.ac.uk/autism/support-and-training/wellbeing-hub-2/what-we-do/support-and-training/working-with-families/family-wellbeing-course/

18/05/2026

🌟 Why Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessments Are So Valuable in Autism & ADHD Diagnostics 🌟

When we complete autism and ADHD assessments for children at Every Mind, we look at the whole child — their strengths, sensory world, daily routines, and the environments they move through. That’s why an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment can be such an important part of the process.

OTs bring a unique lens that helps us understand how a child experiences and navigates their day, far beyond what we see in a clinic room.

✨ Here’s how an OT assessment adds depth and clarity:

Sensory insight that really matters
Many autistic and ADHD children experience the world through a rich sensory lens. OTs help us understand what supports regulation, what leads to overwhelm, and how sensory needs shape comfort, focus, and wellbeing.

Understanding everyday functioning — without judgement
OTs look at real‑life tasks like dressing, eating, handwriting, play, and transitions. This helps us see where a child thrives and where small adjustments could make life easier.

Spotlighting strengths
OT assessments highlight motor skills, problem‑solving, creativity, and the child’s natural ways of engaging with the world — strengths that are essential to a balanced, neuroaffirming assessment.

Reducing the pressure to “perform”
Children don’t need to mask or meet expectations. OTs observe authentic movement, sensory preferences, and natural coping strategies, giving us a more accurate picture of their needs.

Supporting emotional regulation
Understanding how a child’s body and sensory system respond to different environments helps us identify what helps them feel safe, calm, and grounded.

Informing meaningful, personalised recommendations
OT insights help shape practical, compassionate suggestions for home and school — focused on comfort, autonomy, and wellbeing.

💛 At Every Mind, an OT assessment isn’t about identifying “problems”. It’s about understanding the child’s world so we can support them in ways that truly fit who they are.

If you’d like to learn more about our multidisciplinary autism and ADHD assessment pathway, we’re always happy to chat.

14/05/2026

💛 We’d Love to Hear From You

If your child or young person has had an autism or ADHD diagnostic assessment with Every Mind, we would be really grateful for your feedback.

Your experiences help us understand what we’re doing well and where we can continue to grow. Most importantly, your insights help us make the assessment journey as supportive, clear and neuroaffirming as possible for other families.

You can share anything that felt helpful, anything that could have been better, or anything you think future families might want us to know. All feedback is welcome, and it can be as brief or detailed as you like.

Please follow the link below to feedback your views and experiences. If you’d prefer to share your thoughts privately, you can email us directly at [email protected].

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__S2GKURUMFlXM0Q5N1hEUFpXUDNPMjQzTlhTRkVVVS4u

Thank you for helping us shape a service that truly honours and supports every child, young person and family who walks through our doors. 💛

Every Mind Psychology

04/08/2026

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Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm