The Gesher Assessment Centre

✨ We are pleased to see greater attention over time within the NHS, to the growing need for autism and ADHD assessments. 🌟 This article asks an interesting question about the support that premature babies receive and how their families are supported as they grow.

🌟 There have been many discussions around how autism develops, and with political shifts in America, discussions regarding vaccines are being raised again. 💫 If you are are not familiar with the discussion, it may be worth checking out this article that concludes that the research does not support the connection between autism and vaccines. ✨ This article also highlights that only 8.4% of the $419 million spent on autism research in the United States is devoted to support and services for people with autism. We wonder what families would ask researchers to invest their money in around autism around the world?

🌟 We really enjoyed reading this article about Andrew Davies' experience of being diagnosed as being autistic as an adult at age 70, by Nicola Bryan. 💫 Andrew describes his experience of being autistic as..."It's just who I am and how my brain is wired... how I experience the world is just different". ✨ Many autistic people may be able to relate the feeling that the way that they think about things seems a little different to many people around them. A neurodivergent way of thinking can allow people to see the world in a way that other people cannot. At times in can be an incredible asset and Andrew has had a long and successful career working as a minister for 10 years in the Welsh government and an assembly member for Swansea West. Although having a dedicated interest on some topics may have been advantageous, Andrew also refers to the challenges that he faced, including potential burnouts throughout his life, and how he now has a different understanding of his experiences. Our hope is that over time, access to assessment, support, and a true understanding of what it means to be neurodivergent continues to progress.

💫 Do you have neurodivergent learners in your school that you are looking to support but not sure how to get started? 🌟 Check out the tips in our blog.

✨ Does your child find social events difficult to manage? Are you looking for some ways to help ease anxiety around social engagements? 💫 Check out our tips below for managing social anxiety. 🌟 For some children and young people, anxiety around social events may be more than just shyness or a quiet demeanor. Children and young people who are autistic may find social situations more challenging to navigate than most people and they are more likely to experience situational mutism. If you would like to explore your concerns with a professional to understand if an assessment would be beneficial for your child, contact the Gesher Assessment Centre for a free initial assessment consultation.

✨ Have you heard people talking about an EHCP and been uncertain about what that term means? 💫 An EHCP is an Educational Health and Care plan. 🌟 Children and young people who are 25 and under and who present with some additional needs, may benefit from an assessment to determine if they are eligible for extra support (Education Health and Care Needs Assessment or ECHNA). Additional needs may take many forms from a need for an environment to be physically adapted to having a need to access smaller group teaching support and/or mentoring. You can find more information about the process of requesting an assessment on the government website below. ✨ An ECHNA can be requested without a diagnosis, providing that there is evidence to demonstrate that additional support is required, although unfortunately it can sometimes be more difficult to procure support without a diagnosis. 🌟 A diagnosis can support young people, families and professionals to better understand a child or young person's profile, and some families choose to seek out a diagnosis prior to applying for a needs assessment. If you are considering seeking out a diagnosis prior to applying for a needs assessment the Gesher Assessment Centre offers a free initial consultation to determine if a diagnostic assessment for would be the right next step for your family. We currently offer diagnostic assessments for children and young people for autism (4-17 years) and ADHD (up to 25 years).

🌟 Are you a parent who is hoping to source some additional support for your child but finding it difficult to know where to start? ✨ Are you are wondering if the next step is to request an assessment of your child's needs (with a view to gaining additional funding)? Or are you seeking an assessment for diagnosis as the first step? Check out our blog for a simple explanation of what these two different types of assessment mean. 💫 A diagnosis can help to clarify why your child may be having difficulties in some areas and it may allow them to more easily access support and funding. 🌠 A needs assessment can be carried out to see if your child qualifies for an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which will ensure that your child receives support and additional funding. Although this assessment does not require a diagnosis (and you should not be prevented from seeking support without one), a diagnosis may help to better understand your child's needs and provide evidence to support your application. The Gesher Assessment Centre offers free initial consultations to determine if a diagnostic assessment may be the right next step for your child.

✨Do you find yourself a little unsure of new terminology around autism and ADHD? Are you pondering what neurodivergence means and how to use the terms neurodivergence and neurodiversity? 🌟 Check out our blog post on these new terms and why the words that we use can carry a lot of weight.

✨ Are you a parent who is wondering if your child may be autistic? Are you finding it difficult to know whether this fits for them? 🌟 Check out our blog for an overview of what you might notice. 💫 The Gesher Assessment Centre offers a free initial consultation by phone if you would like to better understand whether an assessment would be right for your child.

🌟 As the world's understanding of autism progresses, we are finding that there are many people whose subtle presentation can prevent them from receiving a diagnosis. ✨ We witness this more often in women and girls, and although a less obvious presentation may be present in all genders, this group have been diagnosed much less often over time. ⭐ In spite of this, we know that the impact of masking can take a huge toll on women and girls. Though it may not be immediately obvious how those with a more subtle presentation can be affected, the weight of trying to constantly adjust to outside expectations, can be exhausting. 💫 Check out the blog post on this topic below by the amazing Sarah Wild of Limpsfield Grange School.