Support & Guidance for your AuDHD child in Sussex

Neurodiversity-affirming therapy, developmental support, and expert guidance for navigating life when a child experiences both autism and ADHD.

We understand that every child is unique and that people don't fit into boxes. Our assessments look at the whole child and combine autism and adhd assessments led by clinicians who are experts in mental health.

When Two Worlds Collide: Understanding AuDHD in Children

Raising a child who is AuDHD (Autistic with co-occurring ADHD) often means watching them live with an internal tug-of-war. Traditional parenting advice or standard behavioural interventions frequently fail because they don’t account for the unique push-and-pull of a neurodivergent nervous system.

On one hand, the autistic side of their brain craves predictability, structure, and deep safety in routine. On the other hand, the ADHD side seeks novelty, high stimulation, and constant change. This creates a daily cycle where a child desperately wants control and calm, but their brain is constantly driving them toward chaos and over-stimulation. They aren't "defiant" or "behaving badly"—they are trapped in an exhausting neurological crossfire.

What AuDHD Actually Looks Like in Childhood

Because autism and ADHD mask, amplify, or counteract one another, AuDHD children can often be misunderstood by schools and professionals. In daily life, it frequently manifests as:

The Explosive After-School Crash: Holding it together through sheer willpower all day at school (masking), only to experience severe meltdowns, shutdowns, or deep dysregulation the moment they walk through your front door.

The Routine Paradox: Needing strict routines to feel safe, yet constantly getting bored or derailed by their own ADHD impulsivity and need for novelty.

Sensory Seeking Meets Sensory Overload: Craving intense sensory input (like jumping, crashing, or loud noises) one minute, while becoming completely overwhelmed by a clothing tag, bright light, or background chatter the next.

Executive Dysfunction vs. Deep Focus: Being entirely unable to tidy a bedroom or complete homework, yet spending hours hyper-focused on a special interest with brilliant depth and creativity.

Why won't my child do what I ask them to do?

When a child is struggling with school refusal, massive emotional outbursts, or chronic anxiety, families are often told to implement stricter boundaries or reward charts.

For an AuDHD child, this usually exacerbates the distress. Meltdowns are not temper tantrums; they are involuntary neurological shutdowns caused by total system overload. It is not a case of "I won't do it" it is "I can't do it". When we shift the focus away from "fixing" your child's behaviour and toward understanding their sensory, executive, and emotional boundaries, family life can finally begin to breathe again.

Why Get an Assessment? What Changes Afterward?

For many parents, seeking a formal autism assessment feels daunting. You might wonder if a label changes anything practical. But for an autistic child, clarity is often the turning point where the self-blame stops.

An expert assessment changes things in three vital ways:

Shifting the Narrative for Your Child: Children often internalise differences as negative characteristics. A diagnosis gives them a safe framework to understand themselves better: There is nothing wrong with who I am; my brain just works differently, and that is okay.

Real Leverage with Schools: Vague struggles are easily overlooked by stretched education systems. A gold-standard diagnostic report provides concrete, clinical backing to secure the right accommodations and support plans.

A Custom Manual for Your Family: Stop guessing what works. An assessment identifies your child's exact profile so you know how to support their development sustainably.

Post-Diagnostic Support: Getting a report shouldn't mean being left to figure things out alone. Because we bridge both diagnostic services and ongoing developmental therapy, we stay by your side to help translate those insights into real-world action, school advocacy, and family support long after the assessment is complete.

Therapy vs. Assessment: Finding the Right Starting Point

You do not need to have all the answers—or a formal medical label—to start getting support. Depending on where you are at, there are two primary ways we can help:

Child Autism & Developmental Therapy: If you are looking for practical tools, emotional regulation, and neurodiversity-affirming family strategies without needing a formal medical diagnosis right now, our therapeutic and developmental services focus on brain-friendly support tailored to your child.

Child Autism Assessments: If you require formal clarity, school accommodations, or a diagnostic assessment for your own peace of mind, our comprehensive assessment pathway provides a clear, compassionate diagnostic report.

Because we bridge both therapeutic practice and neurodevelopmental services, you don't have to bounce between different clinics. Whether you need immediate guidance to help calm the chaos at home right now, or a formal assessment to unlock long-term support, we are here for both parts of the journey.

Post-Diagnostic Support: Getting a report shouldn't mean being left to figure things out alone. Because we bridge both diagnostic services and ongoing developmental therapy, we stay by your side to help translate those insights into real-world action, school advocacy, and family support long after the assessment is complete.

You don’t need to navigate this alone. If you are looking for clarity through an assessment or practical, neurodiversity-affirming support for your child, we are here to help.

Start with a Pre-assessment: If you are considering a diagnostic assessment this is your low-pressure starting point. You meet directly with a senior clinician to discuss your concerns, map out what your family is experiencing, and help you decide whether a full assessment is necessary or if targeted family therapy and school-focused strategies are the best first step.

How it helps: The clinician will review your child's history, discuss current challenges, and provide a professional clinical opinion on whether a full diagnostic assessment is appropriate—or if another underlying factor may be contributing to your child's challenges.

You can find out more about the assessment process and Fees at The Psychological Therapy Centre by following this link.

The Assessment Safety Net: If we do mutually agree that a formal assessment is the right path, your initial consultation feeds directly into that process—ensuring your child is properly prepared, understood, and that no unnecessary assessments are undertaken.

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