Getting started
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No. Families can contact us directly through our online enquiry form. We reply the same or next working day to confirm next steps.
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We see children and young people aged 4 to 18.
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The current waiting time for an initial psychiatric assessment is approximately 2–3 weeks.
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All appointments take place remotely by secure video call. Families anywhere in the UK can take part from home, with no travel or waiting rooms.
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Every family starts with an initial psychiatric assessment with Dr Athina Zakynthinaki. It lasts about 1.5 hours and looks at your child's difficulties, development, mental health and daily life. You'll receive a written report with a working impression or, where possible, a diagnosis, and recommendations. If an ADHD, autism or combined assessment is recommended, it is booked as a separate step.
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An ADHD assessment may help if you're concerned about attention, impulsivity or restlessness. An autism assessment may help if you're concerned about social communication, sensory differences, a strong need for routine or social interaction. Some children show features of both, and a combined assessment looks at both together. The initial psychiatric assessment helps decide which, if any, is right for your child.
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All enquiries are reviewed by Dr Zakynthinaki to make sure our remote service is the right fit. Because we work remotely, we are not able to help children who are currently self-harming, have had suicidal thoughts or a suicide attempt in the last 3 months, or are already under the care of a CAMHS team. In those situations, your GP or local NHS services are the right place to start.
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No. If your child is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, contact your GP or NHS 111 (choose the mental health option). Young people can also contact Childline on 0800 1111, Samaritans on 116 123, or text SHOUT to 85258.
About assessments
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Dr Athina Zakynthinaki, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, leads every assessment and makes every diagnostic decision. She carries out ADHD assessments herself. For autism assessments, the ADI-R interview and the observation session are carried out by a Speech and Language Therapist or Occupational Therapist from our multidisciplinary team, both experienced senior clinicians.
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An ADHD assessment brings together several sources of information:
a clinical interview, including the Young DIVA ADHD diagnostic interview
Conners 4 rating scales completed by parents and school
the QbTest, a computer-based measure of attention, impulsivity and activity
observation of your child and assessment of their mental state
screening for other conditions that can look like ADHD or occur alongside it
The assessment appointment takes about 1.5 hours. Verbal feedback is usually given at the end, and the written report follows within 5 working days.
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An autism assessment has two appointments, which can take place on the same day:
the ADI-R, a structured interview with parents or carers about your child's development, communication, play and interests. It takes about 2 hours and your child does not need to be present
an observation session with your child, informed by the ADOS-2, carried out by video
A 30-minute feedback session with Dr Zakynthinaki follows, and the written report is provided within 5 working days of feedback.
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The ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) is a structured set of activities and conversations that gives children a chance to show how they communicate, play and interact. Our remote observation is informed by the ADOS-2, adapted for video. It is not administered or scored as a standard face-to-face ADOS-2. The findings are considered alongside all other information.
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The ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised) is a detailed interview with parents or carers. It covers early development, communication and language, social interaction, play, and repetitive behaviours or strong interests.
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After the initial psychiatric assessment, families have up to 2 weeks to return the assessment questionnaires. The assessment is then usually booked within about a week. ADHD reports follow within 5 working days of the assessment. For autism and combined assessments, feedback follows the assessment, and the report follows within 5 working days of feedback. The overall time depends on availability and how quickly questionnaires are returned.
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You'll still receive a full report explaining the findings, the reasons for the conclusion, and recommendations for support or monitoring. Dr Zakynthinaki will talk the results through with you and guide next steps.
Schools and teachers
Why do teachers need to be involved?School input is required for both ADHD and autism assessments. ADHD difficulties need to be present in more than one setting, and autism assessments consider how a child manages in a structured social environment. Teachers complete online questionnaires, which take about 15–20 minutes.
What if my child is home-educated?We accept information from tutors, coaches or other professionals who work regularly with your child in a structured setting. Please let us know when you first contact us so we can advise on the best approach.
What if the school doesn't engage?School input is an important part of the assessment. Please contact the school's SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and explain that the questionnaire is part of a clinical assessment. We can provide a letter explaining what is involved.
After the assessment and medication
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You'll receive a detailed report with recommendations for home, school and beyond, and Dr Zakynthinaki will talk the findings through with you. If ADHD medication may help, we can discuss starting and monitoring it through follow-up appointments. For autism, the report sets out the support that would suit your child's needs.
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Yes, where it is clinically appropriate and can be monitored safely remotely. Before starting, we need baseline height, weight, pulse and blood pressure, and your child's medical and family history. Starting medication involves regular follow-up appointments to find the right dose, with short monitoring forms between appointments.
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Possibly. Please send the full diagnostic report with your enquiry. The report must meet NICE guidance (NG87): written by an appropriately qualified specialist, with a full developmental and psychiatric history, information from more than one setting, an assessment of mental state, and consideration of other conditions. All families start with an initial psychiatric assessment, and an existing diagnosis doesn't guarantee that we can prescribe.
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Once your child is on a stable dose, we can ask your GP to consider shared care. The GP decides based on local NHS policy, and many decline shared care after a private diagnosis. If your GP declines, we can continue prescribing privately.
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Yes. We write to your GP after every appointment, and letters agreed during an appointment are included in the fee. Additional letters and reports requested afterwards, for example for SEN support or an EHCP, incur additional fees.
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An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is applied for through your local authority, not through us. Our diagnostic report can be important supporting evidence, and we can provide a supporting letter.
Fees and insurance
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Dr Zakynthinaki is recognised by Bupa, Aviva and WPA. If your insurer authorises an appointment, we bill them directly at your insurer's agreed fee. Please obtain a pre-authorisation code before booking. Insurers usually authorise the initial psychiatric assessment only. ADHD, autism and combined assessments are self-funded, as most insurers do not cover them.
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Self-funded appointments are paid at booking. ADHD, autism and combined assessments are paid in full when the assessment is booked. We provide a full invoice, which you can submit to your insurer if your policy includes any cover.
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We don't currently offer payment plans.
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Each fee covers the appointment, the written report or letter to your GP, and any prescriptions agreed during the appointment. Additional reports and letters requested afterwards are £100 each, and prescriptions issued outside an appointment are £25 or £40. We will always tell you about any extra cost in advance.
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There is no charge if you give more than 48 hours' notice. With 24–48 hours' notice, up to 50% of the appointment fee may be charged. With less than 24 hours' notice, or if you don't attend, the full fee is charged. Full details are in our Terms and Conditions.