Assessment for Neurodiverse Needs

• ADHD Diagnostic Assessment
• Assessment of Learning Disability
• Post-Stroke and Head Injury (e.g. TBI & ABI) assessment
• Dementia Assessment

At MKD Enabling Services, our assessment specialists collaborate with individuals, their carers, and other service providers to deliver thorough and tailored assessments, ensuring accurate and reliable diagnostic conclusions.

As awareness of neurodiversity continues to grow in today's world, recognising and addressing the condition is more crucial than ever. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate support can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and overall well-being.

Our services encompass the identification, diagnosis, and verification of multiple classifications of neurodiversity.

We employ a multi-disciplinary approach in our diagnostic assessments, involving professionals from various fields to achieve the most accurate results (refer to our MDT on the Our Team page).

Recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach does not apply, we utilise a diverse set of assessment tools tailored to each client's specific needs. These assessments vary in duration and involve multiple agencies and key stakeholders to gather comprehensive information.

Our experts in assessment are trained in several diagnostic and screening tools.

ADHD Screening/Diagnosis:

• ADHD Rating Scale: Evaluates the frequency and severity of ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents.
• SNAP-4: Assesses ADHD symptoms and related behavioural issues in children.
• ASRS (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale): A self-assessment tool for adults to report their ADHD symptoms.
• Vanderbilt Scales: Measures ADHD symptoms and related problems in children, with versions for both parents and teachers.
• Conners’ Scales: Comprehensive questionnaires for evaluating ADHD and related behavioural issues in children and adolescents.
• CBCL (Child Behaviour Checklist): Parent-reported tool assessing a wide range of behavioural and emotional problems in children.
• ACDS (ADHD Clinical Diagnostic Scale): Focuses on diagnosing ADHD through detailed symptom assessment.
• AISRS (Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Report Scale): Clinician-rated scale assessing ADHD symptoms in adults.
• BIS-11 (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale): Measures different types of impulsivity and its impact on behaviour.
• 3Di (Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview): A detailed interview tool for diagnosing ADHD and other developmental disorders.
• QBTech: Computerised assessment for attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
• TOVA (Test of Variables of Attention): Computer-based test measuring attention and impulsivity.
• FIVEOFF: Assesses impulsivity and cognitive control through specific tasks.
• BADDS (Barkley Adult ADHD Diagnostic Scale): Evaluates ADHD symptoms and their impact on adults’ daily functioning.
• Conners- 4th Edition: Structured interview assessing ADHD symptoms and related issues in all age groups.
• DIVA-5: Diagnostic interview for adult ADHD, focusing on symptoms and functional impact.
•  ACEv.2 & ACE+v.2: Tools for assessing ADHD with a focus on clinical and behavioural characteristics. 

Assessment for Learning Disabilities:

Developmental History: Comprehensive review of an individual's developmental milestones and history to understand the context and background of learning difficulties.

Cognitive Testing:

• WAIS-IV: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition; measures cognitive abilities in adults.
• WISC (Children): Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; assesses cognitive abilities in children.
• Beta-4: Cognitive assessment tool for individuals with English as a second language or those requiring non-verbal testing.

Adaptive Assessment:

• ABAS-3: Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System, Third Edition; evaluates adaptive functioning and daily living skills.
• Behavioural Assessment (for associated challenging behaviour)
• Motivational Assessment Scale: Evaluates the motivation behind challenging behaviours to inform intervention strategies.
• Brief Behaviour Assessment Tool (BBAT): Provides a quick assessment of behavioural issues and their impact.
• Functional Analysis/PBS (Positive Behaviour Support): Examines the function of challenging behaviours and develops strategies for positive behavioural change.
• Clinical Interview: In-depth discussion to understand behavioural issues, context, and impacts on functioning.

Post-stroke & Head Injury Assessment:

 Mood Screening:

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS): Assesses levels of anxiety and depression in patients.
• Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF): Evaluates pre-injury cognitive functioning to establish a baseline for comparison with current functioning.

Cognitive Testing:

• WAIS-IV: Measures cognitive abilities in adults.
• WISC (Children): Assesses cognitive abilities in children.
• Beta-4: For non-verbal or English as a second language assessments.

Memory Testing:

• The Wechsler Memory Scale - Fourth UK Edition (WMS-IV): Evaluates various aspects of memory function, including short-term and long-term memory.

Executive Functioning:

• Trail Making (DKEFS): Assesses cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and executive functioning through a series of tasks.

Fluency:

• F-A-S Test: Measures verbal fluency by assessing the ability to generate words starting with specific letters.
• Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome/for Intellectual Disabilities (BADS/BADS-ID): Evaluates executive functioning and dysexecutive syndrome in individuals with intellectual disabilities (BADS-ID available).

Dementia Assessment:

Clinical Interview: In-depth discussion to gather comprehensive information about the patient’s history, symptoms, and functional impact.

Mood Screening:

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS): Assesses anxiety and depression levels, which can influence cognitive functioning.
• Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF): Determines pre-dementia cognitive functioning to establish a baseline for comparison with current abilities.

Cognitive Testing:

• WAIS-IV: Evaluates cognitive abilities in adults to identify deficits in various domains.
• Beta-4: Suitable for non-verbal or individuals with English as a second language to assess cognitive function.

Memory Testing:

• The Wechsler Memory Scale - Fourth UK Edition (WMS-IV): Assesses different aspects of memory, including immediate and delayed recall.

Executive Functioning:

• Trail Making (DKEFS): Tests cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and executive functions through visual and cognitive tasks.

Fluency:

• F-A-S Test: Measures verbal fluency by assessing the ability to generate words starting with specific letters within a set time.
• The Neuropsychological Assessment of Dementia in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (NAID): Provides a comprehensive assessment of dementia symptoms in individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Vinelands Adaptive Assessment:

• Vinelands Adaptive Assessment: Evaluates adaptive functioning, including daily living skills, and is normed with the NAID to provide a complete picture of an individual’s functional abilities.