Specialist Diagnostic Assessments

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  At MKD Enabling Services, our clinical practice is guided by neurodiversity-affirming principles, recognising the complexity and overlap among conditions such as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, brain injury, dementia, and other neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive disorders. Our experienced team provides comprehensive, holistic assessments that go beyond labels to help individuals understand how their experiences relate to these conditions.

Neurodivergence describes natural variations in brain function and behaviour, including but not limited to Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. We acknowledge that these differences are not deficits but part of the broad spectrum of human diversity. Referrals often focus on specific diagnoses; however, our assessments maintain a broad perspective, considering psychological, cognitive, physical, and developmental factors such as speech and language, attention, emotion regulation, sensory processing, and motor skills. This approach enables us to recommend further assessments if needed.

Following NICE guidelines, assessments are conducted by a multidisciplinary team including psychology, psychiatry, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy professionals who collaborate to provide accurate diagnoses and personalised recommendations.

Our diagnostic process for autism and ADHD involves thorough, team-based evaluations using standardised tools, developmental histories, and input from families or carers. We also assess intellectual disabilities with detailed cognitive and adaptive functioning tests and consider acquired conditions such as brain injury and dementia, using validated mood, memory, and executive functioning assessments tailored to the individual.

By combining expertise across disciplines, we ensure that each assessment addresses presenting concerns while recognising overlapping or coexisting conditions, providing a nuanced understanding of the individual’s strengths and challenges. This comprehensive, person-centred approach supports better-informed care planning and improved outcomes.