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Are you concerned that you or someone close to you has a neuropsychiatric diagnosis such as ADHD or autism? Here we look at when a neuropsychiatric assessment is appropriate, and how to seek help.
Undergoing a neuropsychiatric assessment can feel daunting and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Lavendla makes the difficult easier, so in this article we give you a better understanding of what a neuropsychiatric assessment is and how it works. This is particularly relevant if you or someone close to you suspects a neuropsychiatric diagnosis such as ADHD or autism.
An assessment is a basic neuropsychiatric assessment of difficulties and strengths that identifies a person’s need for support and assistance. It involves interviews that identify neuropsychiatric symptoms of ADHD and autism in both childhood and adulthood, and how these affect different areas of life such as study, work, and relationships. An ADHD assessment also includes interviews with family members to find out what the symptoms were like in childhood, and cognitive tests to get more information about current functioning.
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The assessment is carried out by both a licensed psychologist and a doctor who is a specialist in psychiatry who collaborate in the diagnosis. You meet with both of them during the assessment. An assessment is an important part of the journey towards deeper self-knowledge and better psychological health. Lavendla is here to help you to get the right support.
You may have thought about your symptoms for a long time prior to doing a neuropsychiatric assessment. As an adult, you may have noticed that you function in a slightly different way from others, and had difficulties at school, work or in relationships. For children, the issue may get raised by the school or another parent who noticed something was not right. A neuropsychiatric assessment can provide several benefits and help you gain:
A neuropsychiatric assessment can tell you if you have both ADHD and autism, conditions that often co-exist. While ADHD involves problems with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, autism manifests itself as difficulties in social situations, rigid routines, and difficulty with change. Both diagnoses have different levels of severity and impact on everyday life. The assessment indicates what level you are and provide measures adapted to your specific situation.
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Taking the step to have a neuropsychiatric assessment is an important part of taking care of your health. It can seem overwhelming, but usually leads to a sense of relief and clarity when completed. A private assessment is quick, with shorter waiting times than public healthcare. If you have questions or want to know about how to get the help you need, don’t hesitate to contact Lavendla. We are here to make the difficult easier.
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Choose a 45, 60, or 90-minute session, or a package, providing flexibility and control over the duration and intensity.
Prior to the assessment, an interview with a licensed psychologist will take place to go through your background, symptoms and other factors that may explain your problems. Forms will be completed, and self-assessment tests done that are related to your behaviour and difficulties. If you have symptoms that warrant an investigation, we will proceed accordingly.
An assessment usually involves meeting with a licensed psychologist who conducts interviews and testing, and a psychiatrist, who makes an assessment and orders tests. The different parts of a neuropsychiatric assessment for adults in private practice usually include:
After the assessment, the doctor and psychologist will summarise the results and make a diagnosis together. You then receive a thorough review of the results and a psychological report with recommendations for further action. These are adapted to your situation and functional impact.
If we make a diagnosis, different treatment options will be discussed with you. This may include:
It is good to note that a neuropsychiatric diagnosis triggers a range of available support. In the UK, individuals with autism and their families can be eligible for certain disability benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for adults, or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for those unable to work due to their condition.
An assessment takes about 10-20 hours in total and lasts about 6-8 weeks. Assessments of children tend to be more extensive and take longer. Waiting times through public healthcare are normally long, so a private provider such as Lavendla might be preferred. Treatment can be provided quicker and there is more flexibility in planning, which is why many choose to go private. Lavendla’s waiting times are short and the investigation process is in line with public healthcare. Lavendla makes the difficult easier.
A neuropsychiatric assessment is a medical evaluation used to detect neuropsychiatric conditions such as ADHD and autism. It is usually done through psychological tests, interviews and observations.
The timeframe can vary but takes between 10-20 hours over a period of two to three months. However, it is important to be patient as a thorough assessment is essential for a correct diagnosis.
Common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, impulsivity and social challenges. If you experience these symptoms, it may be an indication that an assessment may be helpful.
To start a neuropsychiatric assessment in public health care, you need a referral, but if you are doing an assessment privately, this is not necessary.
The cost can vary depending on where you do the assessment and whether it is in the public or private sector. Read more about our assessment costs here.
Yes, all information gathered during the assessment is completely confidential.
Treatment can range from medication and therapy, to specialised educational methods. An individual care plan is important.
A diagnosis can help you understand yourself better and give you access to support and treatment. It can offer an explanation and guidance for the future.
Girls and women are often underdiagnosed and hide their symptoms in different ways. Hormones and self-esteem can also be affected in other ways and it is important to get the right help.
It is important that you receive a thorough assessment that takes into account all your difficulties. There is also an increased risk of being exposed to trauma if you have a neuropsychiatric diagnosis, so sometimes this can be a cause.
It is not possible to cure a neuropsychiatric problem but there is help and support available to make it easier to live with.
We make an assessment of the different symptoms with recommendations for treatment if you suffer from co-morbidity with other conditions.