Wondering if your child might be neurodivergent?

Here's how to find the right assessment

---

by Dr Amy Homes, CEO & Senior Clinical Psychologist at Shore Psychology 

If you’ve found yourself wondering whether your child might be neurodivergent, you’re not alone. Many parents reach this point after months, sometimes years, of noticing patterns that don’t quite fit: big emotional reactions, sensory sensitivities, social struggles, or challenges with attention and/or impulsivity. Is it ADHD? Autism? Anxiety? A mix of things? And where do you even begin? 
Many parents worry if an assessment is the right next step for their child. As a parent of a neurodivergent child, I understand these fears— and how complex the decision can be. 

Start with the right question: what’s going on for my child? 
A good assessment isn’t just about getting an answer. It’s about making sense of the whole picture: your child’s strengths, challenges, and the environments they’re navigating. 
ADHD and autism can overlap, and some traits can look similar. For example, a child who appears distracted may be struggling with anxiety, sensory overload, or social stress. 
That’s why a high-quality assessment should explore context as well as symptoms. 

What should a thorough neurodiversity assessment include? 
A reliable assessment needs to be detailed, evidence-based and carried out by a qualified clinician with experience of working with children and young people. The clinician should take time to understand your child’s story (not rely solely on questionnaires), consider information from school, and spend time with your child in person. A quality assessment should also take into account how children might present differently depending on the environment. 
At Shore Psychology, assessments follow NICE guidelines and are delivered by an experienced multi-disciplinary team. This matters because it brings more than one professional perspective, helping us build a rounded understanding and draw clear next steps. 
Families often tell us the difference is in the depth and thoroughness of our assessments—we take the time to understand the ‘why’ behind the difficulties, not simply naming them. 

What are NICE guidelines - and why do they matter?

NICE guidelines are the UK’s evidence-based standards for healthcare. In neurodevelopmental assessment, they set out what should be considered for accurate and fair decision-making. Choosing a clinic that follows NICE standards helps ensure the process is clinically robust and thorough. 

Why joined-up assessment matters 
Children with neurodivergent traits often have overlapping needs: attention difficulties alongside sensory challenges, language needs alongside anxiety, or autistic traits alongside 
emotional overwhelm. If these aren’t recognised together, the support offered can miss the mark. 
Our assessments include a clear, joined-up explanation that helps you (and your child’s school) understand both strengths and difficulties, and what will genuinely make day-to-day life easier. As well as giving you a detailed report, we can also meet with your child’s school to discuss the outcome, and what supports would best help your child. 
The goal is to give you, as a parent, clarity and confidence—so you don’t have to bounce between services, repeating the same story and starting again each time.

Not sure whether an assessment is needed? 
It’s completely normal to feel unsure. That’s why we offer an in-depth screening appointment to explore concerns without committing to a full assessment. 
Or, if you’d prefer to start at home, download our free “What to Notice Over the Next Few Weeks” guide at
www.shorepsychology.co.uk/parent-guide

5 Questions to ask before you book

• Will you meet my child in person? 
• Will my child be observed in the school environment? If this is not possible, how will this part of the assessment be met? 
• Who is doing the assessment—and are they qualified specialists? 
• Will you consider ADHD, autism and overlapping needs? 
• Will we receive a clear plan for next steps?