Frequently Asked Questions

  • A diagnosis of Autism or ADHD can be made by qualified healthcare professionals who have specialist training in neurodevelopmental assessment. This includes:

    • Clinical Psychologists (registered with the HCPC)

    • Psychiatrists (GMC-registered)

    • Specialist Paediatricians (for children)

    • In some services, specialist nurse practitioners may contribute to assessments

    At RJL Neuropsychology, all assessments and diagnoses are carried out by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists, trained to use evidence-based tools and recognised diagnostic criteria.

  • Whether you're being assessed for Autism or ADHD, a high quality assessment and process includes:

    • A full developmental and psychosocial history

    • Use of validated tools such as the ADI-R, DIVA-5, ADOS, Conners Ratings Scales, QbTest etc.

    • Findings must be mapped to DSM-5 and/or ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

    • Consideration of functional impact at school, work, or home

    • Multi-source input from the individual, plus family, teachers, or partners

    • Screening for other possible explanations or co-occurring conditions

    • A detailed diagnostic report with practical recommendations

    • Optional follow-up sessions for guidance and support

  • Yes. A private diagnosis is valid and widely accepted - as long as it is carried out by a qualified professional using the correct methods detailed in the previous section.

    At RJL Neuropsychology, we follow all the key standards to ensure our assessments are:

    • Professionally recognised

    • Ethically conducted

    • Aligned with national and international guidelines

  • At RJL Neuropsychology, all assessments are conducted in line with national and international best practice. This ensures your diagnosis is clinically valid, ethically sound, and widely recognised by GPs, schools, employers, and other professionals.

    NICE Guidelines (CG128, CG142, NG87)

    • We follow the UK’s clinical guidelines for Autism and ADHD by using validated tools (e.g. AQ-10, ADI-R, DIVA-5, BAARS, Vanderbilt), taking a full developmental history, assessing functional impact, and considering co-occurring conditions. We also gather information from schools, families or partners where appropriate.

    DSM-5 and ICD-11 Diagnostic Criteria

    • All diagnoses are based on the internationally recognised criteria from the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association) and ICD-11 (World Health Organization). Our reports clearly explain how your experiences meet these standards.

    NHS Autism Diagnostic Services Framework (2021)

    • We align with NHS England’s recommendations for autism diagnosis by ensuring assessments include detailed life history, use of recognised tools, and - where needed - Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) will be consulted for complex cases.

    Functional and Multi-Source Assessment

    • As recommended across all guidance, we assess how traits impact daily life (e.g. school, work, relationships), and collect supporting information from teachers, family members or others to ensure a full picture

    British Psychological Society (BPS) Ethical Code

    • We follow BPS ethics by ensuring informed consent, transparency, and fair treatment. We work only within our professional scope and maintain the highest ethical and clinical standards throughout.

    Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards

    • All assessments are carried out by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists with specialist training in Autism and ADHD. We adhere to HCPC standards on evidence-based practice, safeguarding, and client care.

    UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

    • Your personal data is handled in full compliance with UK law. We collect informed consent, store your records securely, and never share your information without permission (unless required by safeguarding duty).