More than just a diagnosis.
We are your partners in understanding.

We are a multidisciplinary team of charted psychologists and highly skilled therapists based in the Northwest of England. Our assessments are delivered with expertise, insight, compassion, and respect.

Our Ethos

Changing the Narrative.

For too long, neurodiversity has been viewed through a lens of “deficit” and “disorder.” At AYC, we take a different approach. While we strictly adhere to diagnostic criteria to ensure your report is legally recognised, a diagnosis is not a label to limit you, it is a key to unlock potential.

We look for strengths, talents, and unique perspectives just as closely as we look for challenges.
The Difference

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The AYC Approach
Focus on Strengths & Support
Meet the Team

Real Experts, Working Together.

Neurodivergence is complex and requires careful consideration. That is why at AYC we are one of the few private diagnostic centres in the UK to use a fully multi disciplinary team for each and every assessment.

Chartered Clinical Psychologists

Child & Educational Psychologists

Speech & Language Therapists

Occupational Therapists

Specialist Teachers

Joanne manages ADHD Screening Assessment enquiries, bookings, and reports, supporting clients through each stage of the process with care and understanding

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Claire Lewis is an Assistant Psychologist and Neurodevelopmental Practitioner with extensive experience supporting neurodiverse individuals.

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Ange is the first point of contact for autism assessments and enquiries. She manages enquiries sensitively, coordinates administrative processes, distributes reports, and collates

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Natalie is our Speech and Language Therapist

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Marie is a Specialist Dyslexia Teacher and Assessor. An experienced English teacher, literacy coordinator and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo), she b

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Dr Anna Haigh is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with 22 years experience of working with children and adults, both privately and in the NHS.

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Rebecca is a qualified teacher with a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Psychology.

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Shaunine holds a BSc in Psychology from The University of Salford and has a MSc in Applied Psychology (therapies).

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Sarah is a registered Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner. She holds an undergraduate combined master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry with Spanish, a BSc

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Lisa is our Operations Manager and often the first friendly voice clients hear when they contact AYC. Lisa manages staff recruitment, overseas the running of assessments and suppor

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Our Managing Director, Katie is a Chartered Educational and Child Psychologist with 24 years experience of working with children and young people, both privately and also in local

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A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON QUALITY

Trusted by the National Autistic Society

AYC is proud to be a trusted assessment partner for the National Autistic Society (NAS).
This partnership is your quality assurance. It means that our assessment pathways, clinical governance,
and post-diagnostic support have been vetted by the UK’s leading autism charity.
When you choose AYC, you are choosing a service that meets the highest national standards of care.

DALLAM COURT

Our Centre in Warrington.

We have designed our assessment spaces to  ensure that they are calm and sensory aware. They are safe spaces where our clients can relax and unmask!

 

✓Adjustable lighting
✓Sound-dampened rooms
✓Fidget tools & sensory aids available

What We Stand For

Partnership with Parents

We don’t work on you; we work with you. We help parents and adults to develop the resources to make desirable changes in their own lives.

 

The Child's Voice

Every child has a right to be heard. We ensure their views and feelings are central to the assessment process. Behaviour is always considered as communication and a child’s well-being should always come first.

NICE Compliant

We strictly adhere to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. This ensures our reports are robust, reliable, and recognised.

 

Clinical Excellence

Staff are experienced, qualified, registered with their professional bodies, and have lived experience. Every report is thoroughly checked to ensure it is of the highest quality and reflects our professional
standards.

Testimonials

We were delighted with our son’s autism assessment at AYC. Providing background information beforehand ensured nothing was missed, and the process itself was incredibly smooth. The assessors built a great rapport with my son, and both our Sendco and Educational Psychologist praised the detailed report. It has moved us forward significantly, and our only regret is not starting sooner!

Natasha Seaward

AYC provided a fantastic experience for my 14 year old daughter. She felt heard and understood by Katie, which was a huge relief after years of struggling with the school system. Katie was compassionate and knowledgeable, acting as a real advocate for our family. I finally feel hopeful about my daughter's future thanks to this brilliant team.

Jane Salih

Katie recently visited our son for an educational psychologist assessment to support a school placement appeal. I was amazed by how quickly she understood his needs. The booking process was simple, and the final report is incredibly thorough. We are so happy with the detailed feedback and would recommend AYC to anyone needing a clear, professional assessment for their child.

Joanne Woodward

AYC is a remarkable organisation rooted in empathy and compassion. Their assessment process is supportive and flexible, focusing on personal understanding rather than profit. I finally felt understood, connecting my behaviours to how my mind works within a cozy, neurodivergent friendly environment. For anyone seeking clarity, I cannot recommend their transformative and life changing guidance highly enough.

Hamza Javed

Seeking an adult autism assessment at 42 felt daunting, but AYC made it seamless. They scheduled me within a week and provided thoughtful details, like building photos, to ease my anxiety. The assessment felt like a casual chat, and I received immediate feedback for my employer. The final report was incredibly detailed, helping me truly understand myself for the first time.

Andy Donovan

Katie was brilliant in assessing our daughter to support her transition to mainstream school. She demonstrated a deep, intuitive understanding of our daughter's strengths and challenges. The practical advice and strategies provided for both home and school have given us the confidence we needed for a smooth and positive way forward.

Anna

AYC Psychology provides excellent ongoing support through comprehensive assessments of student needs. Their reports are thorough and translate directly into practical provision that can be implemented in an educational setting. I highly recommend this service to other professionals, as it facilitates precise and effective support for pupils.

Sarah Reilly

From the first phone call, Katie provided reassurance and support. The team's compassion and understanding were wonderful, and the assessment gave us the answers we had been seeking for a long time. My daughter finally felt listened to, and the resulting report will ensure she receives the support needed to reach her potential.

Michelle Adams

Katie was very knowledgeable and put my daughter at ease straight away. She conducted the assessment at my daughter's pace, which was greatly appreciated. The report was delivered quickly and was very thorough in its findings. We are very thankful for such a professional and efficient service.

Amanda Jump

My visit to AYC was a truly positive experience. The team provided comprehensive information beforehand to reduce my anxiety. The psychologists were knowledgeable and empathetic, using various tools to gain a holistic understanding of my needs. They created a safe, non-judgmental environment, and I highly recommend them for adult autism evaluations.

Ev P M

I am very pleased with the Educational Psychology assessment provided by AYC. Katie Hinds connected well with my son and made him feel at ease throughout. The resulting report is professionally written and was vital for our EHCP Tribunal. I am very grateful for the outstanding and supportive service we received.

Jessica Smith

Finding Katie was a breath of fresh air after struggling to get the right support for my child. She is approachable, knowledgeable, and immediately identified the necessary interventions. Her detailed report far exceeded those from other sources. I am forever grateful for her exceptional support and ongoing help during this journey.

Katarina McIlwain

Our experience with AYC was fantastic. An initial educational assessment discovered that an autism assessment was also required. The team was friendly, knowledgeable, and understanding, providing constant support and advice throughout the entire process. They helped our family immensely during a difficult time, and we are very grateful for their expertise.

Miss Waskiw

We had a lovely experience with AYC. The assessors were very experienced, professional, and excellent with children. My children felt completely at ease throughout the process. We were kept informed at every stage, and the entire service was delivered to a very high standard. We highly recommend their team.

Beverley Evans

AYC provided a fantastic, premium service for my daughter's autism assessment. The team was patient, caring, and professional, going above and beyond to make her feel comfortable. We received a comprehensive report with specific recommendations for her school setting. Their passion for their work gave us total confidence in our choice.

joss tomlinson

The whole team is knowledgeable, passionate, and friendly. They provided clear information and photos of the clinic, which greatly reassured our daughter. The assessment felt personal and bespoke rather than daunting. The diagnostic report was clear and highly personalised, featuring practical recommendations and useful resources for both home and school.

Lucy Tomlinson

I have been very impressed by Katie's professionalism, knowledge, and personal values. She produced a high-quality, thorough report within a tight timescale. This document has given me the confidence to advocate for my son effectively. I highly recommend this service to any parent seeking a professional and skilled assessment.

Sira Gronow Benjumeda

We received amazing service and felt no pressure to pursue an assessment after our initial contact. When we proceeded, we were seen within weeks. The communication was excellent, and the professionals demonstrated extensive knowledge of autism. The final report provided key strategies that have been incredibly helpful. We are forever grateful.

Kelly Murren

The entire process, from the initial enquiry to my son's diagnosis, was positive and professional. There were no long waiting times, and the resulting psychological report was very detailed. This has allowed us to secure the support he needs at school. They also provided helpful information for parental support. I highly recommend them.

Jo Smith

I cannot thank the team enough for their support. After years of struggling to find answers, we can finally move forward as a family and truly start to understand our daughter. Every person involved in this process has been wonderful, and we are incredibly grateful for the clarity they have provided.

Lindsay Platt

Katie provided an exceptional, thorough, and insightful assessment of my daughter. The detailed analysis of her learning needs was instrumental in securing Local Authority approval for an EHCP assessment. Katie's professionalism and empathy made a complex process much easier to navigate. We now feel confident that our daughter is receiving the help she deserves.

Hazel Gaskell

Katie provided a first-class assessment that was a huge contrast to our previous experiences. She built a strong relationship with our daughter, gaining her trust through great skill and understanding. The high-quality, detailed report was invaluable for our daughter's EHCP and tribunal. We would definitely recommend AYC for professional SEN support.

Michelle Fairhurst

AYC Psychology was professional, compassionate, and child-focused throughout the assessment process. They worked quickly and collaborated effectively with our son's school. The resulting report has helped turn his life around; he has gone from dreading school to thriving and loving it. We are so grateful for their knowledge and expertise.

paul campbell

AYC provided an amazing service from start to finish. Communication was speedy and professional, and Katie Hinds demonstrated a high level of expertise. She truly listened to our views and understood our son's educational needs. The team encouraged us to be the best advocates for our son, and we highly recommend them.

Natalie Greenall

Katie provided a professional and thorough assessment for our two children. She was patient, listened to our concerns, and successfully engaged both children despite their challenges. The resulting reports were clear, timely, and tailored to their individual needs. We felt well-supported throughout and highly recommend her expertise to other families.

Clair Whiteside

The experience at AYC was outstanding. Dr. Anna Haigh, Sarah Chierico, and Natalie Pettit showed exceptional care, patience, and expertise. They took the time to understand our son's needs, providing a thorough report with clear, practical recommendations. We are extremely grateful for their dedication and highly recommend this compassionate service.

Sarah Robinson

We highly recommend AYC after a wonderful experience. Having struggled for years with the NHS, we finally felt heard by Sarah and Anna. The team provided all the information we needed with no pressure. The process was super fast, with an appointment within a month and a very speedy report.

Danielle Ogden

The strength-based autism assessment process was seamless and thoughtful. Having a neurodiverse assessing panel helped my daughter relax and feel understood. The report recognized her masking and anxiety, which had gone unnoticed at school. The invaluable recommendations provided practical strategies to support her wellbeing and learning during her important exam year.

Kate Henderson

I am incredibly grateful to Katie for such a comprehensive report. She validated all my concerns and identified every challenge my daughter faces. Even ten months later, she continues to support our family through the tribunal process. If you need a professional educational report, do not hesitate to use her services.

Sophia Moran

Katie Hinds provided an outstanding assessment with deep understanding, empathy, and professionalism. The resulting report was incredibly thorough, capturing my daughter’s challenges and needs with accuracy and sensitivity. Her expertise has provided us with a clear path forward. I highly recommend Katie to any parent seeking a professional who genuinely cares.

Claire Whiteside

We initially felt unsure and overwhelmed, but the team was patient and guided us toward the correct assessment. Katie completed the process and shared a thorough report within six weeks. It captured our son perfectly and included a lovely, age-appropriate letter for him. The recommendations are clear, actionable, and highly impressive.

Michelle Morgan

Navigating neurodiversity felt overwhelming until I spoke to Katie and her team. Their assessment provided the clarity I needed to understand my daughter's requirements and how best to support her at home and in school. A huge weight has been lifted, and I cannot recommend their services highly enough.

Ali Ellam

Katie Hinds completed an outstanding Educational Psychologist assessment for my child. The process and report were of exceptional quality. This service goes the extra mile to support SEND families, offering practical, tailored advice that has improved my relationship with my child. I found them to be a trustworthy and highly recommended provision.

Mrs H

The whole process was quick and lovely. Our son was made to feel comfortable, and we felt truly listened to. The team showed great compassion, especially as they had personal experience with neurodiversity. We highly recommend this service for any family seeking a supportive and professional assessment for their child.

Kayse Sheridan

Thank you for everything you have done for our son and his future, I wish people like yourself and what you do for others was valued so much more than it is. You change lives and not many people can say they do that in life. What you do for families is amazing and we will be forever grateful for your time and support.

Parent

Thank you so much for yesterday. When we got back in the car our daughter said “I’ll miss those ladies, they are really nice, I’m worried my head will get full of lots of other interesting things and l might forget them and l don’t want to forget them!” She was on a high for hours with all the positive remarks. The whole experience was so positive for all three of us. You were both brilliant with her.

8 Year Old and her Family

Changing Minds are extremely professional and caring. They took the time to get to know our 12 year old son and our family. This helped them to provide a detailed report which should lead to more support for our son. Thanks Katie and Sarah

Liz Hannah

Thank you so much for listening to me and helping me get my much-needed diagnosis so quickly. When I talked to you, I had never felt so understood in my life and I am now looking forward with hope and confidence. I feel incredibly relieved and like a weight has been lifted, and even that is an understatement. So, thank you. I understand that this is just the beginning and there will be many challenges to overcome, but the fact I’ve got this far means I truly believe that things are on the up. I would love to stay in touch if that is possible, and I thank all three of you again for your support, it means the world to me.

Client - Adult Autism Assessment

I cannot thank you enough. You have listened, shown great empathy and really understood x. Much of what you say makes great sense and I am so grateful for the advice you have given and the thorough way you have approached the assessment of x, thank you!

Parent

I would recommend AYC Psychology and Assessment Services. The service that I received from AYC was without doubt the best support and advice that we received in order to help our daughters future and navigate through the mind field of appealing an EHCP and getting the right educational provision for her. I couldn’t have done it without their help, (Katie is amazing at her work). I would highly recommend AYC and would use them again if needed in the future. Katie had great patience and showed a real understanding of my daughter’s needs.

Parent

Thank you so much, you have given me a much clearer understanding on how x has been feeling and how I can rebuild my relationship with him. I really believe he will thrive in the coming years. Thank you so much.

Parent

We first met Katie as an Educational Psychologist that Primary School had commissioned to work with our 10 year old daughter. After spending only a relatively brief time with our daughter, her insight into her issues was amazing. School and we at home, took on board the advice given, including an app to help with target her Dyslexia issues, which actually improved her reading age by a year in a matter of months. Katie has continued to support us and her report contributed to achieving an EHCP, on first application. We would highly recommend Katie.

Parent

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the advice, expertise and insight. We have now adjusted our expectations of x to be more in line with her developmental age and implemented the strategies you gave us. Already things are so much better. The traffic light system and new bedtime routine are working great. I am sure there will be bumps in the road but I now feel so much better equipped to deal with them.

Parent

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Whether you need a diagnosis, post-diagnostic support, or just advice on where to turn next, we are here to help.

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