The mother of a nine-year-old girl with autism says an East Anglian charity’s diagnosis ‘transformed’ their lives – as the charity expands and relaunches its gold standard assessment service.
Autism Anglia, based in Colchester, provides comprehensive autism and ADHD assessments for children and adults across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, although anyone across the UK can access its services.
Leanne, whose daughter Lennon-Rose was assessed by the charity, said she’d ‘shout from the rooftops’ about the difference the charity has made to her family.
“The support from Autism Anglia has transformed all our lives,” she said.
“The moment they contacted us was the first time we felt someone had really noticed us and wanted to help.
“We now know why Lennon behaves the way she does. It’s helped her understand why she struggles sometimes when other children don’t.
“Thanks to Autism Anglia’s help, we’re optimistic about the future and feel much better placed to support Lennon, and each other. But most of all, we don’t feel invisible anymore.”
New NHS data has revealed 204,876 people were on the autism assessment waiting list in September, up 25% on last year’s figure.
Jenny Jackson, Diagnostic Service Manager at Autism Anglia, said: “We see our role as working alongside the NHS to reduce waiting times for assessment and have shared some of our ways of working with them to help reduce the backlog.
“We are here to help people – families like Leanne’s – to get a quick, early diagnosis and to be able to access the support they need.
“Early intervention is crucial because it helps reduce any possible distress for the child or adult and allows us to develop strategies tailored for their needs.
“You may have a child that is feeling different from their peers but don’t feel it is being acknowledged or understood.
“The assessment is partly an education for everyone involved – we like to think families learn a lot more about autism and ADHD going through the process with us.
“We give them the listening ear they’ve always wanted.”
Autism Anglia’s gold standard diagnosis service includes a multi-disciplinary assessment including expertise from speech and language therapists and clinical psychologists, alongside in-depth, in-person interviews.
Following diagnosis, the charity offers tailored recommendations and follow up sessions, drawing expertise and services from the wider Autism Anglia.
It offers diagnoses for autism at three years old and upwards and ADHD diagnoses from seven years, as well as standalone speech and language assessments and cognitive assessments.
