At South Wales Psychology, an initial consultation entails a one-hour video call consultation with one of the team's clinical psychologists.
Initial consultations can be helpful in considering you/your child’s current challenges and the most appropriate next steps. It gives you the chance to consider the options best suited to your/your child’s needs, prior to committing to the full diagnostic assessment process.
These sessions are particularly helpful for those who, for example, may just be starting to think about the neurodevelopmental assessment process, and have not yet spoken with a health professional about their needs and/or completed screening for acceptance onto NHS assessment waiting lists.
Consultation cost : £200
This session focuses on your reasons for considering a neurodevelopmental assessment, whilst obtaining some relevant details about your background. At this stage, discussions will largely focus on the challenges you/your child is experiencing which may be underpinned by neurodevelopmental differences, as well as other factors which may contributing to these needs, such as mental health difficulties and challenging life experiences.
Prior to this appointment, you will also be asked to complete some questionnaires relating to autism and ADHD symptoms in you/your child, which will be reviewed by your clinician before meeting with you.
Based on this initial consultation, your assessing clinician can discuss with you whether a full diagnostic assessment is felt clinically warranted at this time. If appropriate, they can then advise you of the options and next steps in the assessment process. If an assessment is not recommended, the clinician will aim to direct you to alternative sources of support.
