Child Autism And ADHD Support | Center of Wellbeing

Child And Adolescent Autism And ADHD Support

PARS - Professional Assessment, Report & Support

National waiting times for NHS ASD and ADHD assessments are now at unprecedented levels. For many families, this means young people are left waiting months — sometimes years — without clarity, validation, or meaningful support.

PARS was developed in response to that gap.

This structured programme provides robust clinical evidence while, most importantly, supporting the young person’s lived experience of neurodivergence. It bridges the space between referral and diagnosis — offering both understanding and practical intervention during what can otherwise be a very uncertain time.

We have supported many families through this process, with PARS contributing to successful diagnostic outcomes and improved access to support.

What the PARS Process Involves

1. Comprehensive Assessment

The process begins with a detailed clinician-led observation session with the young person. Structured observation forms are then provided to parents, teachers, and caregivers to ensure a multi-environment perspective. This allows us to gather rich, cross-contextual evidence in line with best practice.

2. 12 Weeks of Therapeutic Support

Following assessment, the young person attends 12 weekly therapy sessions.

While these sessions contribute further clinical insight for the final report, their primary focus is therapeutic. The aim is to help the young person:

Develop a clearer understanding of their neurotype
Explore emotional and psychosocial triggers
Strengthen emotional literacy and regulation skills
Improve communication and self-expression
Learn practical coping strategies for symptom management
Build confidence and self-advocacy skills

This is not simply an evidence-gathering exercise — it is meaningful, supportive intervention.

3. Parent & Caregiver Guidance

Support does not stop with the young person. We provide guidance to parents, teachers, and caregivers alongside the therapeutic work so that strategies introduced in sessions can be implemented consistently across home and educational environments. This ensures real-world application and sustained impact.

4. Detailed Outcome Report

At the end of the 12-week programme, families receive a comprehensive clinical report outlining:

Observational findings
Educational considerations
Psychosocial formulation
Practical recommendations

This report may be used:

As supporting evidence for NHS MAAT panel
To support an EHCP application with the local authority
To request additional provision within an educational setting
As supporting evidence for a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) application
As supplementary evidence for Community Paediatrics or CAMHS

Important Information

PARS is not equivalent to an NHS diagnostic assessment for ASD or ADHD.

An NHS diagnosis must be completed by:

Community Paediatrics (for ASD), or
CAMHS (for ADHD),
following referral through a GP.

PARS does not replace this process.

Instead, it is designed to:

Identify neurodivergent markers
Provide structured clinical insight
Support emotional and psychological development
Equip young people with practical coping tools
Provide high-quality supporting evidence

In line with the SEN and Disability Code of Practice (2015), there is no legal basis for a local authority to reject a professional diagnostic report solely because it was privately obtained. As such, PARS reports can be presented to schools and local authorities to support reasonable adjustments and EHCP applications.

Many families also find that having a comprehensive PARS report strengthens communication with Community Paediatrics or CAMHS during the NHS diagnostic pathway.