Autism Kent

31/08/2026

19/07/2026

For families affected by the Right to Choose pause on Autism and ADHD assessments in Kent, you may be considering alternative assessment pathways.

If you have already completed forms, questionnaires or other paperwork as part of the assessment process, you can request access to records and information held by your provider. Having copies of information you have already provided may be helpful when exploring another assessment pathway.

For further information about accessing medical records, this guide from Irwin Mitchell may be helpful:
https://www.irwinmitchell.com/news-and-insights/expert-comment/post/102jk95/requesting-medical-records-a-guide-for-patients-and-families

For families considering an alternative Autism or ADHD diagnostic assessment pathway in Kent, you can find out more about our diagnostic services at:
www.autismkent.co.uk
📞 01227 656953
✉️ [email protected]

13/07/2026

Autism in girls and women is often overlooked.

For many years, our understanding of autism was largely based on how it presented in boys. We now know that autism can present differently in girls, women, and many people assigned female at birth, which can mean they are recognised later in life, or not at all.

Many people describe spending years feeling different, masking their differences to fit in, or wondering why everyday life feels more exhausting than it seems to for others.

The experiences shared here are common traits, not a checklist. Every autistic person is unique, and these experiences alone do not mean someone is autistic.

If these experiences resonate with you or someone you care about, seeking a professional assessment may be an important step towards greater understanding and accessing the right support.

At Autism Kent, we provide compassionate, neuroaffirming autism assessments for children, young people, and adults of all genders.

If you'd like to learn more about our assessment service, get in touch with our team or visit our website.
T: 01227 656953
E: [email protected]
W: www.autismkent.co.uk

11/07/2026

Update: Routine Right to Choose Autism & ADHD Assessments through Psicon have been paused.

Many families across Kent and Medway have received an email update confirming that, under the current NHS commissioning arrangements, routine Right to Choose Autism and ADHD assessments through Psicon are not currently expected to resume before April 2027.

According to the information shared:

* Your place on the waiting list will be protected.
* Routine assessments are not currently expected to resume before April 2027.
* Priority will be given to those considered to have the greatest clinical need.

For many individuals and families who have already waited months or sometimes years for answers, this news will understandably be incredibly disappointing.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence highlights the importance of timely access to specialist assessment.

Whether you’re already on a Right to Choose waiting list, considering a referral, or simply trying to understand what this means for you or your family, it’s important to be aware of the different assessment pathways that may be available.

As an independent assessment service, we will continue to provide evidence-based autism and ADHD assessments in line with current NICE guidance.

01227 656953
[email protected]

Gold-standard assessments for children, young people, and adults, with compassion and reliability at the centre of everything we do.

08/07/2026

Many girls and women spend years wondering why they feel different, misunderstood, or exhausted from trying to fit in.

Because autism and ADHD can present differently in girls and women, they’re often overlooked or identified much later in life.

At Autism Kent, we’re a small, experienced team of Chartered Clinical Psychologists and specialist clinicians who understand these differences. Our neuroaffirmative assessments take the time to understand each person’s unique strengths, experiences and challenges, helping to provide clarity and a deeper understanding of themselves.

If you’re exploring an assessment for yourself, your daughter, or someone you care for, we’re here to answer your questions.

01227 656953
[email protected]
www.autismkent.co.uk

08/07/2026

Many girls and women spend years wondering why they feel different, misunderstood, or exhausted from trying to fit in.

Because autism and ADHD can present differently in girls and women, they're often overlooked or identified much later in life.

At Autism Kent, we're a small, experienced team of Chartered Clinical Psychologists and specialist clinicians who understand these differences. Our neuroaffirmative assessments take the time to understand each person's unique strengths, experiences and challenges, helping to provide clarity and a deeper understanding of themselves.

If you're exploring an assessment for yourself, your daughter, or someone you care for, we're here to answer your questions.

01227 656953
[email protected]
www.autismkent.co.uk

01/07/2026

Julie Gray – Speech and Language Therapist, HCPC registered

Julie is a highly specialist speech and language therapist and a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

She has worked for the NHS in East Kent as a Speech and Language Therapist since 1994, supporting children with a wide range of speech, language, and communication needs.

Julie is a Clinical Lead for Language Disorder and Developmental Language Disorder, where she develops care pathways across Kent, offers supervision, and designs and delivers training.

Alongside this, she supports children and young people in mainstream schools and in a special school for autistic children and young people. She enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes for the families she supports.
Julie has a special interest in working with neurodiverse children, their families, and school settings -from diagnosis and beyond - and sees this work as a privilege. She is trained and experienced in gold-standard autism diagnostic tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R.

29/06/2026

What happens during a child autism assessment at Autism Kent?

We know that choosing an assessment for your child is a big decision, and it's natural to wonder what the process involves.

Our assessments are designed to be thorough, compassionate and evidence based. We take the time to understand your child's unique strengths, differences and experiences, rather than relying on a single appointment or questionnaire.

Step 1: Questionnaires & Background Information
�Before the assessment, you'll complete questionnaires about your child's development, strengths and support needs. With your consent, we'll also gather information from school (or another professional who knows your child well) and review any relevant reports.

Step 2: Developmental History�We'll meet with you online or by phone before the assessment day to explore your child's developmental history and gain a detailed understanding of their experiences over time.

Step 3: Assessment Day
�You'll attend our Whitstable clinic, where our experienced clinicians will carry out a comprehensive assessment using gold-standard tools, including the ADI-R and ADOS-2, alongside clinical observation and discussion.

Every assessment is completed in line with NICE guidance and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, ensuring a thorough and evidence-based approach.

Our aim isn't simply to answer the question of whether your child meets the criteria for autism. It's to help you understand how your child experiences the world, recognise their strengths, identify areas where they may need support, and provide clear, personalised recommendations for the future.

If you're considering an autism assessment and would like to know more, we're always happy to answer your questions.