Neurodevelopmental
Assessments
Comprehensive, clinician-led assessments for autism, ADHD, sensory integration, and psychiatric needs — providing the clarity that children, young people, and their families deserve, with reports that are genuinely actionable.
Understanding a child
changes everything
For many children and young people, the journey to understanding begins with a question — why does school feel so overwhelming? Why is sitting still so hard? Why do certain textures, sounds, or social situations cause such distress? A neurodevelopmental assessment doesn’t just answer that question. It reframes the whole picture — turning years of confusion, struggle, or misunderstanding into something that makes sense, and pointing clearly towards what can actually help.
Evolve Mental Health provides comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people aged 3 to 18, delivered by qualified, HCPC-registered clinical psychologists and specialist practitioners. Our assessments are thorough, compassionate, and designed with families — not just professionals — in mind. We explain everything clearly, involve children and young people in the process where possible, and produce reports that are readable, practical, and built to inform real next steps.
We accept referrals from parents, schools, local authorities, and other professionals. All assessments can be self-funded or commissioned, and we work alongside existing EHCP processes, SEND support plans, and statutory education or social care provision.
What’s Included
- Pre-assessment consultation & family history
- Direct assessment with the child or young person
- Standardised clinical tools & observation
- Parent / carer questionnaires & interview
- School information & teacher questionnaires
- Comprehensive written assessment report
- Diagnosis (where indicated) with clear rationale
- Practical recommendations for home & school
- Feedback session for parents & carers
- Onward referral guidance where relevant
Four specialist
assessment pathways
Each assessment is individually tailored. Where more than one area of concern is present, we can conduct combined assessments to give the most complete picture possible.
Autism Assessment
Our autism assessments follow NICE guidelines and use gold-standard diagnostic tools including the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview — Revised). Assessments include direct observation, clinical interviews, standardised questionnaires, and a review of developmental history. A full written report is provided with diagnosis (where indicated) and tailored recommendations for education, home, and onward support.
ADHD Assessment
Our ADHD assessments use clinical interviews, validated rating scales (including Conners and SNAP-IV), and multi-informant questionnaires across home and school settings. We assess for all presentations — inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined — and distinguish ADHD from other conditions that can present similarly. Reports include a clear clinical formulation, diagnosis where indicated, and practical guidance for educators, parents, and the young person themselves.
Sensory Integration Assessment
For children whose responses to sensory input significantly affect their daily life, learning, or behaviour, a sensory integration assessment can identify the specific sensory processing differences at play and their functional impact. Conducted by specialist occupational therapists, the assessment informs a tailored sensory diet and environmental modifications for home, school, and community settings. Particularly valuable for children with autism, ADHD, DCD, or complex sensory sensitivities.
Psychiatric Assessment
Where a child or young person is presenting with significant mental health concerns — including anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, or complex presentations that overlap multiple diagnostic areas — a psychiatric assessment with a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist provides a comprehensive clinical formulation, diagnostic opinion, and clear recommendations for treatment and support. We also provide letters and reports for tribunal, EHC needs assessments, or specialist placement applications.
What to expect
at every stage
We take care to make the assessment process as clear, calm, and manageable as possible — for children, young people, and families alike.
A 30-minute phone or video call with a clinician to discuss your concerns, understand the referral, and confirm which assessment pathway is right. No commitment required at this stage.
Questionnaires for parents, carers, and school. We review all existing reports, EHCPs, and relevant professional correspondence to build a full picture before the assessment begins.
Direct clinical assessment with the child or young person, using gold-standard tools appropriate to their age and presentation. Conducted at a pace that feels safe and manageable for them.
A comprehensive written report within 4–6 weeks, followed by a dedicated feedback session for parents and carers to discuss findings, ask questions, and understand next steps clearly.
A diagnosis isn’t
a label — it’s a key
Many families come to us after years of searching for answers — children who’ve been described as “difficult”, “disruptive”, or “just not trying hard enough”, when the reality is that their brains simply work differently. A formal assessment changes that. It provides a framework for understanding, unlocks the right support, and — perhaps most importantly — gives the child themselves a way of making sense of their own experience.
We know that a diagnosis is not the end of the journey — it’s the beginning of the right one. That’s why we make sure our reports don’t just describe; they guide. Every recommendation is practical, prioritised, and grounded in what will genuinely make a difference.
Who we assess, how we
work, & what changes
Who We Assess
We assess children and young people aged 3 to 18 with a wide range of presentations — from early-years developmental concerns to complex adolescent mental health and neurodevelopmental profiles.
- Children with suspected autism or ADHD
- Young people with SEMH difficulties
- Children with sensory processing differences
- Young people in care or with complex histories
- Those with co-occurring or overlapping conditions
- Children approaching or within EHCP processes
How We Work
Every assessment is conducted with care, precision, and genuine respect for the child. We use only gold-standard, validated tools — and we take the time to build rapport before any formal assessment begins.
- HCPC registered, DClinPsy qualified clinicians
- Gold-standard diagnostic tools throughout
- Multi-informant — parents, school, young person
- Child-paced and neurodiversity-affirming
- Clear, accessible, family-friendly reports
- Dedicated feedback session included
What Changes
A good assessment doesn’t just provide a diagnosis — it transforms understanding, unlocks support, and gives children, families, and schools a clear path forward that would otherwise take years to find.
- A diagnosis (where indicated) — finally understood
- Right support at school, including EHCP provision
- Therapeutic planning tailored to the child
- Exam access arrangements where eligible
- Reduced anxiety for families and the young person
- Better outcomes, earlier and more effectively
Reports written
for families, not files
Many assessment reports are dense, clinical, and almost impossible for families to translate into action. Ours aren’t. We write our reports to be genuinely readable — clear language, prioritised recommendations, and a structure that helps parents, schools, and professionals understand what matters most and what to do about it.
Every report is reviewed by a senior clinician before issue, and every family receives a feedback session to discuss the findings in person — because a report that sits in a drawer helps no one.
In the words of the
families we’ve supported
“We’d been trying to get answers for our daughter for nearly four years. The assessment with Evolve was a completely different experience — the clinician was warm, patient, and clearly had real expertise. The report was unlike anything we’d seen before: clear, thorough, and full of things we could actually use. We finally felt like someone had truly understood her. We can’t thank the team enough.”
Ready to book
an assessment?
Get in touch to discuss which assessment is right, or to ask any questions before committing. We’re happy to talk through your concerns before any referral is made — with no obligation.
Email us: Admin@evolvementalhealthservices.co.uk
