T H E   T E A M

Dr Jessica Donohoe
​Director and Chartered Clinical Psychologist

About Jessica

Jessica is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and registered with the HCPC. 

Jessica became fully qualified in 2014 and has a number of years experience, both prior and since qualifying, working with a wide range of emotional, behavioural, psychological and developmental difficulties of young people. She has a particular interest in Autism Spectrum Conditions and has wide-ranging experience of this in children and adults, both privately and within NHS services.

Dr Zoe McGovern
Director and Clinical Psychologist

About Zoe

​Zoe is a Clinical Psychologist registered with the HCPC. Zoe also works for the NHS as a Principal Clinical Psychologist and has over twelve years post-qualification experience.

​Zoe specialises in working with young people and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or learning disabilities along with the associated social and mental health difficulties. She has much experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team assessing for neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD.

Claire Huxford
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

​​Claire is registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as well as The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP).

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 specialises in Autism Spectrum Conditions and is trained to administer diagnostic assessment tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R as well as comprehensive speech and language assessments. Claire is particularly enthusiastic about supporting females with Autism and recognising the potential differences experienced by Autistic women and girls and identifying the more subtle characteristics.

Contact Us

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Our Assessment Process

Our assessments are based on our clinicians’ many years of experience and expertise as well as professional guidance and research into the most effective methods used to reliably assess for ASD. Our assessment process also fully complies with NICE Guidelines.

The first stage of our assessment is an Initial Consultation with one of our Clinical Psychologists, who will discuss with you current and historical concerns. As part of this consultation, we ask you to complete an Autism screening questionnaire, to help us decide whether a full Autism assessment is appropriate. If we do not feel the full assessment is necessary, we can provide a written report from the consultation, with alternative recommendations.

If we agree that a full Autism assessment is indicated, generally three further assessment appointments will be offered;

1. Further session(s) with the Clinical Psychologist to gather more information and go through a detailed developmental history, if possible.
2. Interactive session with a second clinician, usually our Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, to assess features of ASD using a standardised assessment tool combining conversation and interactive activities.
3. Specialist speech and language assessment to assess social communication and interaction (generally for children only).

For child assessments, we will speak with the school to gather more information and conduct an in-school observation if necessary. Similarly with adult assessments, it may help to speak with your employer, with your consent only. For both children and adults, we will also review any relevant reports completed by other professionals (if applicable).

Following these assessment sessions, our team will meet for a diagnostic discussion and you will then be invited to a feedback session, where the outcome of the assessment is discussed, the report is read through and our recommendations are given.

​Please note that this is an ASD-specific assessment and although different but related conditions, e.g. ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia etc. may be uncovered by this assessment process, a formal diagnosis of these conditions would need to be given by a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist as they are best suited to provide recommended treatment.

Our post-assessment recommendations may include further assessment and support with associated specialists such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychiatrists and psychologists. We can also refer on to highly specialist Clinical Psychologists who offer specialist psychological input for young people and adults with an ASD diagnosis. You will also receive a discharge pack, including resources for moving forward from the assessment.

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