About Us
Solihull Autism Assessment Service was developed in 2018 by Dr Jessica Donohoe and Dr Zoe McGovern, two Clinical Psychologists with specialist interest and experience in assessing and working with neurodivergent people. Since then, the service has grown to include a team of expert clinicians including Clinical Psychologists and Specialist Speech and Language Therapists; all of whom share the same neuroaffirmative approach to understanding neurodiversity and difference.
Zoe and Jessica realised the frustrations of people locally who are struggling with difficulties associated with neurodivergence and unable to access the required support, either in school or at work, without a formalised diagnosis. Solihull Autism Assessment Service was therefore developed to offer independent multidisciplinary assessments for those who are unable or unwilling to wait on long NHS waiting lists. We are ordinarily able to offer an initial consultation within 4 weeks of contact and from the point of this consultation, assessments will be completed within 6 weeks where possible.
Further, the founders recognised the need for and usefulness of thorough, clinically reliable and robust assessments, in accordance with best practice and guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Solihull Autism Assessment Service therefore provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment for both Autism and ADHD, following NICE Guidelines and using ‘gold standard’ assessment protocols, followed by a comprehensive, individualised report. Our reports are not only expertly professional, but also multi-faceted, detailed and they provide a lot of information for both our clients and other professionals. Down to the quality and professional nature of the service, Solihull Autism Assessment Service was approached by The Antser Group with a proposal to roll out their clinical model under the Autism Assessment Hub, with Jessica and Zoe now leading on and directing the clinical operations of this new national service.
Our team subscribes to the neurodiversity-affirmative paradigm, many of us have lived experience of neurodivergence and our assessments and reports are conducted and written with a neurodiversity-affirmative approach; we do not only assess individual’s ‘problems’, ‘difficulties’ or ‘shortcomings’ but instead consider their presentation holistically, noticing their strengths and abilities as much as their difference. Our assessments are based on our clinicians’ many years of clinical and personal experience and expertise as well as professional guidance and research into the most effective methods used to reliably identify neurodivergence. Further, our entire team has interest, experience, expertise and specialist training in the experience of Autistic women and girls in particular.
Zoe and Jessica realised the frustrations of people locally who are struggling with difficulties associated with neurodivergence and unable to access the required support, either in school or at work, without a formalised diagnosis. Solihull Autism Assessment Service was therefore developed to offer independent multidisciplinary assessments for those who are unable or unwilling to wait on long NHS waiting lists. We are ordinarily able to offer an initial consultation within 4 weeks of contact and from the point of this consultation, assessments will be completed within 6 weeks where possible.
Further, the founders recognised the need for and usefulness of thorough, clinically reliable and robust assessments, in accordance with best practice and guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Solihull Autism Assessment Service therefore provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment for both Autism and ADHD, following NICE Guidelines and using ‘gold standard’ assessment protocols, followed by a comprehensive, individualised report. Our reports are not only expertly professional, but also multi-faceted, detailed and they provide a lot of information for both our clients and other professionals. Down to the quality and professional nature of the service, Solihull Autism Assessment Service was approached by The Antser Group with a proposal to roll out their clinical model under the Autism Assessment Hub, with Jessica and Zoe now leading on and directing the clinical operations of this new national service.
Our team subscribes to the neurodiversity-affirmative paradigm, many of us have lived experience of neurodivergence and our assessments and reports are conducted and written with a neurodiversity-affirmative approach; we do not only assess individual’s ‘problems’, ‘difficulties’ or ‘shortcomings’ but instead consider their presentation holistically, noticing their strengths and abilities as much as their difference. Our assessments are based on our clinicians’ many years of clinical and personal experience and expertise as well as professional guidance and research into the most effective methods used to reliably identify neurodivergence. Further, our entire team has interest, experience, expertise and specialist training in the experience of Autistic women and girls in particular.
The Team
Dr Jessica Donohoe
Co-Director Clinical Lead and Chartered Clinical Psychologist Jessica became fully qualified in 2014 and has a number of years’ experience, both prior to and since qualifying, working with a wide range of emotional, behavioural, psychological and developmental difficulties of young people and adults. Jessica has a particular interest in Autism and has wide-ranging experience of this in children and adults, both in the private sector and within NHS services. She is particularly enthusiastic about the misdiagnosis and identification of more subtle presentations of the Autistic neurotype, for example in girls and women, and has undergone additional specialist training within this on top of formal training in Autism and ADHD assessment protocols. |
Dr Zoe McGovern
Co-Director Clinical Lead and Clinical Psychologist Zoe also works for the NHS as a Principal Clinical Psychologist and has over sixteen years post-qualification experience. Zoe specialises in working with Autistic young people and adults along with the associated social and mental health difficulties and/or learning disabilities. Zoe has significant experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team assessing for neurodevelopmental conditions and has formalised training in ‘gold-standard’ assessment protocols for Autism and ADHD. She has a particular interest in how neurodivergence presents in girls and women and has also had additional training in this area. |
Cheryl Aalit
Practice Manager
Cheryl is the team's administrator, secretary and clinical co-ordinator; she co-ordinates all things clinical and manages all administration and she is the main point of liaison with our clients. In addition to this, Cheryl offers transformative life coaching, which is a growing area in Autism and neurodiversity. She is a Psychology graduate and qualified Transformative Coach, who has worked within mental health for over five years and has significant experience of neurodiversity as part of this. By supporting people who are facing challenges or who may be feeling stuck, Cheryl helps people to achieve goals, improve their confidence and self-belief by understanding who they are and how they relate to the world around them.
Practice Manager
Cheryl is the team's administrator, secretary and clinical co-ordinator; she co-ordinates all things clinical and manages all administration and she is the main point of liaison with our clients. In addition to this, Cheryl offers transformative life coaching, which is a growing area in Autism and neurodiversity. She is a Psychology graduate and qualified Transformative Coach, who has worked within mental health for over five years and has significant experience of neurodiversity as part of this. By supporting people who are facing challenges or who may be feeling stuck, Cheryl helps people to achieve goals, improve their confidence and self-belief by understanding who they are and how they relate to the world around them.
Vicky Lewis
Clinical Psychologist Vicky is a Clinical Psychologist and Counsellor. She has worked in the NHS and Local Authority child and adult mental health services for over 15 years and now works in independent practice with children, young people and adults. Vicky has a particular interest in assessing and helping people who may be neurodiverse. Vicky is passionate about understanding each person as an individual and helping people to identify and embrace the strengths that come with neurodiversity. Vicky has specialist training in the assessment and understanding of Autism in women and girls. |
Nicola Griffiths
Clinical Psychologist Nicola became fully qualified in 2004 and has longstanding experience in neurodiversity and Autism gained from working in child and adolescence learning disability services, paediatric neuropsychology services and adult Autism services. Nicola has a particular interest in Autism and has worked extensively in the NHS and in private practice as the clinical lead in multi-disciplinary team assessments of Autism. |
Claire David
Clinical Psychologist Claire has over 15 years post-qualification experience working as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS with young people and adults with learning disabilities and/or Autism and their associated psychological and behavioural difficulties. Claire also works part-time in a local further education setting, providing psychological advice to the staff working with students who have a range of social, psychological and behavioural needs. |
Jade Smith
Clinical Psychologist Jade is a Clinical Psychologist and registered with the HCPC. She works with both young people and adults with neurodivergence. Jade qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2017 and has worked in mental health services for over 15 years. Jade has a particular interest in assessing and working therapeutically with individuals who may be neurodivergent. Jade has worked across a range of NHS settings, including CAMHS, paediatric psychology, 'looked after' children services and learning disability community mental health teams. |
Rebecca Money
Clinical Psychologist Rebecca is a Clinical Psychologist and registered with the HCPC. She has over 10 years of experience working in mental health services, including the NHS and the private sector. Rebecca has worked with individuals across the lifespan, supporting those with their mental health and neurodivergence. Rebecca works in a neuro-affirming and trauma-informed approach, supporting both young people and adults. |
Susie Hughes
Clinical Psychologist Susie is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and registered with the HCPC. She worked in the NHS for over 10 years including those with neurodivergence, intellectual disability and mental health difficulties. Susie has provided individual and group based interventions and she works with both young people and adults. Since leaving the NHS, Susie has worked solely in Autism and ADHD services and has specialist training and expertise in these areas. |
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Louise Highley
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Louise graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Speech Pathology and Therapy in 1993. Over the course of her career she has worked with children and young people in their homes, community clinics, nurseries, mainstream and Special Educational Needs schools. Louise has extensive experience of working in a multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental assessment team for clients across the lifespan. She particularly specialises in Autism and is trained and experienced in administering the ADOS-2 and ADI-R. |
Claire Huxford
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Claire graduated with a BSC Honours degree in Speech and Language Therapy in 2005. She has substantial experience working in community clinics, nurseries, mainstream and special schools amongst other specialist settings for both the NHS and private sector. Claire particularly specialises in Autism and is trained to administer diagnostic assessment tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R. Claire is particularly enthusiastic about recognising the potential differences experienced by Autistic women and girls. |
Stephanie Cross
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Stephanie graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Speech and Language Therapy in 2014. She is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who has extensive experience working with children in a range of settings including community clinics, Child Development Centres, online, schools, nurseries and children's own homes. Stephanie is also trained in the use of ADOS-2 and ADI-R and has additional training in the assessment of girls and women with Autism. |
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Anna Abrahams
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Anna qualified with Distinction in 2008 and has extensive therapeutic and and diagnostic experience with paediatric and adult clients. Her core values are to treat each client and family as individuals and to work collaboratively as well as having a special interest in more subtle presentations of neurodiversity and creating a neuroaffirmative approach. Anna has training in all the gold-standard assessment protocols and currently works within the NHS, charity and independent sectors. |
Gabrielle Monnington
Assistant Psychologist Gabrielle graduated from Birmingham City University with a First class Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with Criminology. Since then, she has gained a wealth of experience supporting young people with Autism and ADHD in a range of roles including Project Leader, Teaching Assistant and 1-1 tutor within a Special Educational Needs school. Alongside her work supporting the SAAS clinicians and assessments, Gabrielle works in a SEN school as the Assistant Student SENCO Support Officer, supporting the EHCP annual review process. |
