We can usually book you in for your ADHD assessment within 2-3 weeks of you contacting us.

Our Adult Autism Assessments consists of the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) carried out by an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist. This is followed by an assessment carried out by a psychiatrist who is a specialist in neurodevelopmental conditions.

All the services we provide are charged for. We operate as a not-for-profit independent organisation. This means you can always be assured that our fees are the lowest we can reach while maintaining the highest quality of assessment and support. Please get in touch with the admin team for any specific queries about pricing.

There is no reason for the assessment not to be recognised. All our assessments follow NHS NICE guidelines, use "gold standard" approaches and are carried out by fully accredited practitioners. However, some school / GP / NHS districts have their own regulations about how and when they will take over from a private assessment so we always recommend checking with them directly whether there is anything specific they need before having a private assessment. Please then let us know if there is anything specific required, and we can let you know whether that is something we can provide.

The assessment tools used for neurodevelopmental assessments at S E I K Psychiatry require each patient to attend at least one appointment with an observer. This is essential to give you the best possible chance of having a conclusive assessment with the most appropriate diagnosis and recommendations. The observer is present to give an account of your symptoms and traits throughout childhood and adulthood and support you through the assessment. In most cases, the most helpful observer is a parent or guardian. However, we do understand this is only sometimes possible. The next most beneficial observer is another family member who has known you since birth. It is sometimes possible to have a long-term partner or friend present; please discuss this further with our team if this would be your only option. If you cannot have an observer present, we recommend that you seek an assessment at a different service, ideally within the NHS. S E I K Psychiatry reserve the right to decline any assessment request if you are unable to have a suitable observer present.

We often recommend a face-to-face assessment, ideally within the NHS, if you have a history of complex trauma and abuse, and / or substance use, as this is usually better handled by a local team who can refer you to specialists in each field. If you enquire with our service, we will send you a screening questionnaire to complete. It is essential that you answer this questionnaire truthfully as it helps highlight any cases that cannot be assessed through the assessment tools used by clinicians at S E I K Psychiatry. S E I K Psychiatry reserve the right to decline any assessment request that requires a different process or more support than we can offer in a remote setting.

Many adults and children with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions develop the ability to mask and have coping strategies to get through day to day life. Clinicians at S E I K Psychiatry are specialists in the field, and they are experienced in understanding the complexities of masking. It is important that you are able to share information about how you mask and any strategies you have put in place to help you cope with the symptoms and traits that you relate to. It can be helpful to bring some notes about this to the assessment.

We understand that our patients may want to choose who they see based on their experience, and their unique social, cultural, religious, and linguistic needs. Please feel free to let us know of any preferences and we will do our best to accommodate these.

No, it is unethical to guarantee a diagnosis for any neurodevelopmental or psychiatry assessment as it is impossible to predict the outcome of an assessment before it has taken place. On some occasions, a diagnosis may not be reached where there is a complex history or other factors at play, such as substance abuse. We are unable to refund any assessment fees due to a diagnosis not being reached. This is because the service we provide is a rigorous assessment following UK best practice models, and not a specific diagnosis or outcome.

If the practitioner prescribes medication, you will need to attend follow up appointments to review your health, check for progress, and continue the prescribing of medication on an ongoing basis. It is not possible to predict how many appointments will be needed, as this varies between each patient depending on the medication prescribed, and the individual response. We recommend budgeting for one review appointment per month, for the first few months of trialling medication.

S E I K Psychiatry does not sell or dispense medication. Any medication prescribed by a practitioner at S E I K Psychiatry would be prescribed via a private prescription which is sent to a pharmacy of your choice. You would then need to purchase the medication from the pharmacy. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to give a price list for medications, as there is a huge variation between different medication brands, quantity prescribed, and length of prescription. On top of this, each pharmacy has their own mark-ups on the medication they sell. We strongly recommend researching any recommended medications and asking your local pharmacies for their costs. From 01 October 2022, S E I K Psychiatry will be transitioning to a new and improved process for providing prescriptions. We have partnered with Pharmacierge, an online pharmacy and medication delivery service which has been operating since 2008, to ensure that you can receive your medication in a timely and cost-effective manner, delivered directly to your home or work at a time that suits you. More information about Pharmacierge can be found on the Medications page of the website.

Each NHS region has slightly different regulations about how and when they take over from independent assessments. Please ask your GP whether this is something that can do, and whether they are happy and able to follow the psychiatrist’s recommendations under a SharedCare Agreement, or by taking a Transfer of Care. Please be aware, under a SharedCare Agreement, you may still require follow up appointments with a private practitioner at regular intervals.

For adult assessments, we aim to send out all reports within 2 weeks of your Support Review (Phase 2). If you would like your report generated after the Assessment has concluded in Phase 1, please get in touch with us to request this. For child assessments, we aim to send out all reports within 2 weeks of your final appointment with the psychiatrist. This is usually the third appointment with us. If you would like your report generated before the final appointment, please get in touch with the admin team to let us know and we will do what we can to help.

Yes, we provide everyone with Confirmation Letter signed by the psychiatrist which states any diagnosis that has been reached.

First, please know it is completely natural to be nervous before an assessment! Please let the admin team know if you are particularly anxious so that we can ease any specific concerns you have. The practitioners are very understanding of nerves and will be very supportive throughout the appointment. We recommend reading through the What to Expect leaflet that you will be sent once you have booked in so that you can familiarise yourself with the appointment processes and the kinds of questions you will be asked. We also recommend that you have someone that you are comfortable with and trust with you during the assessment for extra support. This ideally would be the same person as your observer, however can be a second person if preferred.

In our remote independent setting, our practitioners require supporting information from a professional third party as recommended by the NICE guidelines. This is ideally a teacher or SEN lead from a school. In cases where this isn't possible, please let us know whether they have a tutor for home-schooling that could answer the questionnaires, or someone from any extra curricular activities they attend. Depending on their age, and if they have left school within the last 2 years, it may be possible for a previous teacher to complete the questionnaire. Please get in touch with the onboarding team to discuss this further. S E I K Psychiatry reserve the right to decline any assessment request if you are unable to provide sufficient supporting evidence.

If you have agreed with your prescriber that you are stable on your medication during a review appointment, you will be able to have up to 3 repeat prescriptions before your next review is needed. These usually need to be scheduled each month, as only 30 days of medication can be prescribed at one time. To book a repeat prescription, please contact the admin team by email or phone. Please bare in mind that prescriptions will be scheduled for the next 'prescription delivery day', and can take up to 10 days to arrive once they have been sent out. Please ensure you plan ahead and let the team know how many days medication you have at the time of booking so that we can try to avoid a break where possible.

Our practitioners recognise as part of Autism within the spectrum. PDA is not currently recognised as a diagnosis in itself by the DSM-5 or ICD-10 which is the resource used by psychiatrists, and other health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, and nurses, to diagnose and classify mental disorders with concise and explicit criteria. Due to this, they are unable to diagnose it, however they can refer to it as part of an Autism diagnosis if appropriate.

Since we opened in September 2021, we have strived to offer high quality services to individuals seeking ADHD and Autism assessments and support. Our commitment to quality care and support has been unwavering, and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that our services remain accessible to all who need them. The landscape that we work in has changed, and we are currently facing several challenges that require our attention. One of the most pressing issues we have faced is the need to adjust our pricing structure. It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it is one that has become necessary. The cost of hiring and retaining highly qualified staff has risen significantly. These professionals are essential to the quality of care we provide, and we believe in compensating them fairly for their expertise and dedication. Additionally, our ongoing efforts to maintain our registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) demand financial resources. Compliance with CQC standards is non-negotiable, as it ensures the safety and quality of the services we offer to our patients. In light of these factors, we have reviewed our financial position and concluded that an adjustment in our pricing structure is essential to continue delivering the level of service our patients deserve. I want to emphasize that this decision was not made lightly, and we understand the potential impact it may have on some people who wish to use our service. Please rest assured that our commitment to accessibility remains steadfast. We will continue to explore options to provide financial assistance to those who need it most, including potential partnerships with local authorities and charitable organisations. We believe that by implementing these price adjustments, we can continue to provide the high-quality assessments and ongoing support that our community relies on. It is our hope that these changes will allow us to not only maintain our current standards but also enhance the services we offer in the future. We understand that this decision may raise questions or concerns, and we are committed to open communication and transparency throughout this process. Our team is here to address any enquiries or provide additional information as needed. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community with the same dedication and care that has defined our team since we began. Together, we can ensure that individuals with ADHD and Autism receive the support and assessments they deserve.

Following your part 2 assessment, your psychiatrist may request that you undertake an ECG prior to starting any medication. This may have been requested due to your own medical history, family medical history, or the physical measurements you have submitted. To get the ECG, you have two options: 1. You can book an ECG test with a private cardiology service in your local area. 2. You can ask your GP (your regular doctor) to do the test for you. It is essential that the psychiatrist puts your health and wellbeing first when prescribing medication. This can sometimes cause delays which can be disappointing or frustrating. The best way to avoid this is by being proactive and helping us by taking the lead on your care. You can: 1. Research private providers in your area and contact them to make the arrangements, 2. Schedule an appointment with your GP to ask them to help you access an ECG, 3. Keep us updated! 4. If you think it is taking too long, get in touch with us to talk through your options.

We can usually book you in for your ADHD assessment within 2-3 weeks of you contacting us.

Our Adult Autism Assessments consists of the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) carried out by an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist. This is followed by an assessment carried out by a psychiatrist who is a specialist in neurodevelopmental conditions.

All the services we provide are charged for. We operate as a not-for-profit independent organisation. This means you can always be assured that our fees are the lowest we can reach while maintaining the highest quality of assessment and support. Please get in touch with the admin team for any specific queries about pricing.

There is no reason for the assessment not to be recognised. All our assessments follow NHS NICE guidelines, use "gold standard" approaches and are carried out by fully accredited practitioners. However, some school / GP / NHS districts have their own regulations about how and when they will take over from a private assessment so we always recommend checking with them directly whether there is anything specific they need before having a private assessment. Please then let us know if there is anything specific required, and we can let you know whether that is something we can provide.

The assessment tools used for neurodevelopmental assessments at S E I K Psychiatry require each patient to attend at least one appointment with an observer. This is essential to give you the best possible chance of having a conclusive assessment with the most appropriate diagnosis and recommendations. The observer is present to give an account of your symptoms and traits throughout childhood and adulthood and support you through the assessment. In most cases, the most helpful observer is a parent or guardian. However, we do understand this is only sometimes possible. The next most beneficial observer is another family member who has known you since birth. It is sometimes possible to have a long-term partner or friend present; please discuss this further with our team if this would be your only option. If you cannot have an observer present, we recommend that you seek an assessment at a different service, ideally within the NHS. S E I K Psychiatry reserve the right to decline any assessment request if you are unable to have a suitable observer present.

We often recommend a face-to-face assessment, ideally within the NHS, if you have a history of complex trauma and abuse, and / or substance use, as this is usually better handled by a local team who can refer you to specialists in each field. If you enquire with our service, we will send you a screening questionnaire to complete. It is essential that you answer this questionnaire truthfully as it helps highlight any cases that cannot be assessed through the assessment tools used by clinicians at S E I K Psychiatry. S E I K Psychiatry reserve the right to decline any assessment request that requires a different process or more support than we can offer in a remote setting.

Many adults and children with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions develop the ability to mask and have coping strategies to get through day to day life. Clinicians at S E I K Psychiatry are specialists in the field, and they are experienced in understanding the complexities of masking. It is important that you are able to share information about how you mask and any strategies you have put in place to help you cope with the symptoms and traits that you relate to. It can be helpful to bring some notes about this to the assessment.

We understand that our patients may want to choose who they see based on their experience, and their unique social, cultural, religious, and linguistic needs. Please feel free to let us know of any preferences and we will do our best to accommodate these.

No, it is unethical to guarantee a diagnosis for any neurodevelopmental or psychiatry assessment as it is impossible to predict the outcome of an assessment before it has taken place. On some occasions, a diagnosis may not be reached where there is a complex history or other factors at play, such as substance abuse. We are unable to refund any assessment fees due to a diagnosis not being reached. This is because the service we provide is a rigorous assessment following UK best practice models, and not a specific diagnosis or outcome.

If the practitioner prescribes medication, you will need to attend follow up appointments to review your health, check for progress, and continue the prescribing of medication on an ongoing basis. It is not possible to predict how many appointments will be needed, as this varies between each patient depending on the medication prescribed, and the individual response. We recommend budgeting for one review appointment per month, for the first few months of trialling medication.

S E I K Psychiatry does not sell or dispense medication. Any medication prescribed by a practitioner at S E I K Psychiatry would be prescribed via a private prescription which is sent to a pharmacy of your choice. You would then need to purchase the medication from the pharmacy. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to give a price list for medications, as there is a huge variation between different medication brands, quantity prescribed, and length of prescription. On top of this, each pharmacy has their own mark-ups on the medication they sell. We strongly recommend researching any recommended medications and asking your local pharmacies for their costs. From 01 October 2022, S E I K Psychiatry will be transitioning to a new and improved process for providing prescriptions. We have partnered with Pharmacierge, an online pharmacy and medication delivery service which has been operating since 2008, to ensure that you can receive your medication in a timely and cost-effective manner, delivered directly to your home or work at a time that suits you. More information about Pharmacierge can be found on the Medications page of the website.

Each NHS region has slightly different regulations about how and when they take over from independent assessments. Please ask your GP whether this is something that can do, and whether they are happy and able to follow the psychiatrist’s recommendations under a SharedCare Agreement, or by taking a Transfer of Care. Please be aware, under a SharedCare Agreement, you may still require follow up appointments with a private practitioner at regular intervals.

For adult assessments, we aim to send out all reports within 2 weeks of your Support Review (Phase 2). If you would like your report generated after the Assessment has concluded in Phase 1, please get in touch with us to request this. For child assessments, we aim to send out all reports within 2 weeks of your final appointment with the psychiatrist. This is usually the third appointment with us. If you would like your report generated before the final appointment, please get in touch with the admin team to let us know and we will do what we can to help.

Yes, we provide everyone with Confirmation Letter signed by the psychiatrist which states any diagnosis that has been reached.

First, please know it is completely natural to be nervous before an assessment! Please let the admin team know if you are particularly anxious so that we can ease any specific concerns you have. The practitioners are very understanding of nerves and will be very supportive throughout the appointment. We recommend reading through the What to Expect leaflet that you will be sent once you have booked in so that you can familiarise yourself with the appointment processes and the kinds of questions you will be asked. We also recommend that you have someone that you are comfortable with and trust with you during the assessment for extra support. This ideally would be the same person as your observer, however can be a second person if preferred.

In our remote independent setting, our practitioners require supporting information from a professional third party as recommended by the NICE guidelines. This is ideally a teacher or SEN lead from a school. In cases where this isn't possible, please let us know whether they have a tutor for home-schooling that could answer the questionnaires, or someone from any extra curricular activities they attend. Depending on their age, and if they have left school within the last 2 years, it may be possible for a previous teacher to complete the questionnaire. Please get in touch with the onboarding team to discuss this further. S E I K Psychiatry reserve the right to decline any assessment request if you are unable to provide sufficient supporting evidence.

If you have agreed with your prescriber that you are stable on your medication during a review appointment, you will be able to have up to 3 repeat prescriptions before your next review is needed. These usually need to be scheduled each month, as only 30 days of medication can be prescribed at one time. To book a repeat prescription, please contact the admin team by email or phone. Please bare in mind that prescriptions will be scheduled for the next 'prescription delivery day', and can take up to 10 days to arrive once they have been sent out. Please ensure you plan ahead and let the team know how many days medication you have at the time of booking so that we can try to avoid a break where possible.

Our practitioners recognise as part of Autism within the spectrum. PDA is not currently recognised as a diagnosis in itself by the DSM-5 or ICD-10 which is the resource used by psychiatrists, and other health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, and nurses, to diagnose and classify mental disorders with concise and explicit criteria. Due to this, they are unable to diagnose it, however they can refer to it as part of an Autism diagnosis if appropriate.

Since we opened in September 2021, we have strived to offer high quality services to individuals seeking ADHD and Autism assessments and support. Our commitment to quality care and support has been unwavering, and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that our services remain accessible to all who need them. The landscape that we work in has changed, and we are currently facing several challenges that require our attention. One of the most pressing issues we have faced is the need to adjust our pricing structure. It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it is one that has become necessary. The cost of hiring and retaining highly qualified staff has risen significantly. These professionals are essential to the quality of care we provide, and we believe in compensating them fairly for their expertise and dedication. Additionally, our ongoing efforts to maintain our registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) demand financial resources. Compliance with CQC standards is non-negotiable, as it ensures the safety and quality of the services we offer to our patients. In light of these factors, we have reviewed our financial position and concluded that an adjustment in our pricing structure is essential to continue delivering the level of service our patients deserve. I want to emphasize that this decision was not made lightly, and we understand the potential impact it may have on some people who wish to use our service. Please rest assured that our commitment to accessibility remains steadfast. We will continue to explore options to provide financial assistance to those who need it most, including potential partnerships with local authorities and charitable organisations. We believe that by implementing these price adjustments, we can continue to provide the high-quality assessments and ongoing support that our community relies on. It is our hope that these changes will allow us to not only maintain our current standards but also enhance the services we offer in the future. We understand that this decision may raise questions or concerns, and we are committed to open communication and transparency throughout this process. Our team is here to address any enquiries or provide additional information as needed. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community with the same dedication and care that has defined our team since we began. Together, we can ensure that individuals with ADHD and Autism receive the support and assessments they deserve.

Following your part 2 assessment, your psychiatrist may request that you undertake an ECG prior to starting any medication. This may have been requested due to your own medical history, family medical history, or the physical measurements you have submitted. To get the ECG, you have two options: 1. You can book an ECG test with a private cardiology service in your local area. 2. You can ask your GP (your regular doctor) to do the test for you. It is essential that the psychiatrist puts your health and wellbeing first when prescribing medication. This can sometimes cause delays which can be disappointing or frustrating. The best way to avoid this is by being proactive and helping us by taking the lead on your care. You can: 1. Research private providers in your area and contact them to make the arrangements, 2. Schedule an appointment with your GP to ask them to help you access an ECG, 3. Keep us updated! 4. If you think it is taking too long, get in touch with us to talk through your options.