Adult Autism and ADHD Services
High Quality Autism and ADHD Assessments and Post-diagnostic Support in Brighton and Hove
The only acceptance that really matters is self-acceptance.
Autism and ADHD Assessment and Post-Diagnostic support
Going through life feeling like everything is harder than it should be—while constantly masking or trying to meet expectations you were never wired for—is utterly exhausting. Many adults spend years wondering why simple tasks, focus, or social situations drain them completely, which takes a heavy toll on self-esteem, mental health, and day-to-day burnout.
Getting a clear assessment isn't about collecting a label; it’s about finally making sense of your own mind. Understanding why your brain processes the world differently allows you to stop fighting yourself, build real self-acceptance, and figure out what practical accommodations you actually need. We also recognise that people don’t fit into neat boxes. Many adults experience a crossover of traits, which is why we specialise in looking at your differences through a comprehensive, systemic lens—offering combined Autism and ADHD assessments so you don't have to navigate separate processes or repeat your story twice.
A Rigorous, Transparent Pathway
Our adult assessments adhere strictly to NICE guidelines and are led by senior clinical psychologists with extensive expertise in diagnostic formulation. Teasing apart how overlapping presentations—such as anxiety, trauma, or depression—interact with neurodivergence requires significant clinical skill to avoid diagnostic error.
Because our assessments are thorough and objective, we do not guarantee a diagnosis. However, every assessment begins with a clinical pre-assessment interview acting as a vital safeguard—reviewing your history and screening for suitability to ensure you do not incur the cost of an unnecessary full assessment if clinical indicators point elsewhere.
Regardless of the diagnostic outcome, your comprehensive report includes a deep psychological formulation designed to stand up to absolute scrutiny from employers, universities (for DSA), or GPs.
Medication & Post-Diagnostic Support
While our clinical psychologists do not prescribe medication, we work closely with specialist psychiatric prescribers within an established partnership programme to seamlessly facilitate review and medication management if medical intervention is clinically indicated.
We also provide dedicated post-diagnostic support and specialist, adapted therapies under the same roof—including adapted CBT and EMDR—to help you navigate your diagnosis and ongoing support needs.
What can I expect to gain from an Assessment?
We understand that humans do not fit into neat boxes. Our practice specialises in assessing clients with less obvious or atypical presentations—such as women and girls, gender non-conforming individuals, and high-masking adults—whose difficulties are often missed by standard screening tools.
Our service is built on a proudly neuro-affirming, individualised, and trauma-informed framework. We do not use a one-size-fits-all checklist; instead, our senior clinical psychologists look beyond surface-level behaviours to understand your unique nervous system, past exhaustion, and masking.
Regardless of whether a formal diagnostic threshold is met, the process is designed to provide tangible, life-changing outcomes:
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Self-Acceptance & Explanation: The purpose of an assessment is so much more than a label. It is about finally making sense of past struggles, chronic burnout, or why everyday tasks felt disproportionately hard, helping you develop a much deeper sense of self-compassion.
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A Deeper Understanding of Your Profile: Gaining a compassionate map of how to work with your unique skills and processing differences, allowing you to stop fighting against your own neurobiology.
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Confident Self-Advocacy: Clear, robust documentation and recommendations that empower you to advocate for yourself with absolute confidence—whether requesting workplace adjustments, Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), or support from your GP.
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A Clear Treatment Pathway: Moving away from standard, non-adapted therapies that often ineffective. You receive targeted treatment recommendations outlining what specific interventions (such as adapted CBT, EMDR, or specialist coaching) are most effective for the issues you are struggling with.
How the Process Works
We want to make sure you are on the correct pathway from day one. To protect you from paying for an expensive assessment you might not need, our pathway is broken down into clear, manageable steps:
Step 1: The Pre-Assessment Consultation (90 Mins / £220)
Before any formal diagnostic testing, we start with a thorough pre-assessment consultation.
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Prior to the meeting, you’ll complete detailed screening questionnaires and a developmental history form.
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You’ll meet with one or two of our senior clinicians for an in-depth clinical discussion.
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The Clinical Safeguard: This appointment helps us determine whether a formal diagnostic assessment is clinically indicated. If we find that a full assessment isn't the right path, we will explain our clinical rationale clearly, discuss alternative possibilities, and guide you toward the right support, saving you time and unnecessary expense.
The pre-assessment is not mandatory if you are already on a clinical waiting list or have been directly referred by a qualified healthcare professional with sufficient prior clinical information. If this applies to you, please contact us directly at contact@thepsychologicaltherapycentre.com to discuss your options.
Step 2: The Formal Diagnostic Assessment
If the pre-assessment indicates that moving forward is appropriate, we carry out the formal diagnostic process across a series of appointments.
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For Autism Assessments: We use gold-standard, NICE-recommended tools such as the ADOS-2, ACIA, and ADI-R.
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For ADHD Assessments: We use structured tools like the DIVA-5.
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We gather information from multiple perspectives, reviewing medical history, past reports, and—where helpful—obtaining collateral perspective from an informant who knows you well (such as a partner, family member, or close friend). Please note: We recognise that not everyone has an available informant, or you may prefer to keep your assessment private. Not having an informant will not preclude you from having an assessment; our clinicians are experienced in working with self-report and adapting the process to suit your circumstances.
Step 3: Comprehensive Report & 1-Hour Feedback Session
Following the assessment, you will receive an extensive, highly detailed report containing our findings, clinical rationale, and practical recommendations. We then sit down with you for a full 1-hour feedback session to discuss the conclusions, answer your questions, and map out next steps—including workplace/university adjustments, post-diagnostic support, or onward referrals for psychiatry or medication if applicable.
The Tools and Standards We Use
All of our adult assessments are led by Senior Clinical Psychologists with multidisciplinary input where needed.
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Gold-Standard Frameworks: We strictly follow NICE-recommended guidelines and structured assessments (including ADOS-2, ADI-R, DIVA-5).
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In some circumstances we include objective ADHD Testing (QB Check): Administered and interpreted by qualified professionals, the QB check provides an objective measurement of attention and activity levels to support accurate ADHD diagnosis and evaluate treatment interventions.
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Cognitive Profiles: If you are exploring learning differences or processing styles (such as specific learning difficulties), we can also integrate cognitive assessments to get a complete picture of how you learn and experience the world.
How Can I Find Out More?
If you are unsure where to start or want to talk through your situation, you can book a Pre-Assessment or Free Initial Telephone Consultation with one of our Clinical Leads.
You can also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) on our Neurodevelopmental Services Page
For general enquiries, you can schedule a callback at a time that is convenient or complete the contact form below
Fees
How much does a diagnostic assessment cost?
Initial Pre-assessment (Adult 18+) £220 (60 Minutes)
QB Check + Feedback £280
Formal Diagnostic Autism Assessment + (Adult) £1,900
Adult ADHD Assessment £1,300
Joint ADHD and Autism Assessment (Adult) £2,650
Additional consultation work £150 (60 Minutes)
Pre-assessment reports (if required) £120
Diagnostic Assessments - Reports are included
We allow plenty of time covered within the fee to gather all the information we need. Occasionally additional appointments are required to gather further clinical information to avoid an inconclusive outcome, which are charged at £150 per hour. This is only when there is more information to collate than we typically need. You will always be consulted in advance of any additional fees.