Autism Services

We provide exceptional quality autism assessments for children, young people, and adults across the North-East of England. This includes Newcastle (including Gateshead, Tyneside and Northumberland), Durham, Darlington and Teesside (including Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar & Cleveland).

During a free consultation with a Clinical Psychologist, we will speak to you about your requirements and if appropriate consider differential diagnosis with you. It is possible that further assessment is not indicated. However, if assessment is required then we will develop an assessment plan with you. Assessments can include taking a detailed developmental history, gathering information from school, an observation within school, a cognitive assessment, Speech and Language Therapy assessment and the ADOS-2.

We can start the assessment within 2-4 weeks of your first contact with us and will guide you through every step of the process. The exact cost of the assessment will depend on which components are required to reach a conclusion in relation to diagnosis. This will be discussed with you following the initial consultation.

Our Team

Dr Tom Laverick Clinical Psychologist, Paediatric Neuropsychology Lead & Autism Service Lead

Dr Tom Laverick

Clinical Psychologist, Paediatric Neuropsychology Lead & Autism Service Lead

Tom has extensive experience in working with children and young people in both NHS and independent practice, where he has occupied roles such as Clinical Lead within a specialist nhs autism assessment service. Tom has also worked with adults experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties and he has an ongoing interest with the treatment of PTSD. Tom is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and has Full Accreditation with the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), as well as being trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Tom is the Clinical Lead for the Clarity Autism service and has completed training in the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), as well as the developmental, dimensional, and diagnostic interview (3di).

Tom is passionate about conducting research in his field; supervising ongoing autism based research (e.g., autism and camouflaging / masking) and publishing research findings to advance practice e.g., 'Epilepsy and Accelerated Long-Term Forgetting' with Professor Alan Baddeley. His research skills, knowledge and expertise therefore allow him to deliver the highest standard of clinical work.

Find Me On Linkedin Twitter

Dr Patrick Welsh Clinical Psychologist

Dr Patrick Welsh

Clinical Psychologist

Patrick has worked with young people and adults with a diagnosis of Autism for over ten years in a range of clinical settings. He has completed training in the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) and recently worked as a therapist on the personalised anxiety trial for autistic adults at Newcastle University. He is therefore experienced in making adaptations to ensure people are able to attend and engage in therapy.

Throughout his career, Patrick has been research active, publishing widely on topics such as autism, psychosis and how best to involve young people in mental health research. His research skills and knowledge thus compliment his clinical work.

As someone diagnosed with autism as an adult, he is passionate to ensure appropriate support is available to others.

Toni Brown Practitioner Psychologist

Toni Brown

Practitioner Psychologist

Toni is a Practitioner Psychologist and Registered General Nurse. She has worked with both autistic children and adults for over 26 years in various settings, including charities in the northeast and London, schools, community and inpatient, providing both group and individual therapeutic input. Most recently her role was Clinical Lead in an NHS adult autism diagnostic team. Toni left the NHS after 20 years to concentrate on spending more time with a local charity. She has been part of the child and adult diagnostic service within the charity since it’s onset and continues to work for them as well as an associate with Clarity.

One of her roles within the NHS involved working on a research study in collaboration with Newcastle University exploring barriers and facilitators to accessing physical health care for older autistic adults.

Toni has recently completed training in Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) with Great Ormond Street and has a keen interest in tic disorders.

Dr Zoë Gilder Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Zoë Gilder

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Zoë qualified as a medical doctor from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 2000. She completed three years working in general medicine and surgery, before deciding on a career in psychiatry. She then spent a number of years training in general psychiatry and secured her Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) in 2006. After that Zoë specialised in working with children and young people and has been on the GMC Specialist Register (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) since 2010. She worked full-time as an NHS Consultant for over 12 years' before moving into fulltime private practice; Zoë is the Medical Director of North East Child Psychiatry (NECP), established in autumn 2020.

Zoë has worked with hundreds of young people and their families/carers. She has considerable experience in providing assessment and care in all areas of young people's mental health, including autism, ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders, tics, psychosis, eating disorders and sleep difficulties.

Dr Gilder also undertook specialist training in teaching and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education (PGCCE). She has used her teaching skills to improve awareness and understanding of young people's mental health issues with teachers and school pastoral support staff, GPs, hospital Paediatricians, health visitors, children's social workers, and youth workers.

Zoë's knowledge and experience are vital to a thorough formulation of our autism assessments, whereby her expertise and opinion is consulted as part of a high-quality multidisciplinary formulation for children and young people.

Lynsey Dennis Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Lynsey Dennis

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Lynsey has worked as a Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist within the NHS since 2005, gaining Specialist status in 2008 and Highly Specialist status in 2014. Lynsey provides specialist Speech, Language and Communication assessments and interventions for children and young people presenting with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism; ADHD; Developmental Language Disorder (DLD); Specific Learning Difficulties; Learning Disability and children with SEMH and/or Developmental Trauma.

Lynsey has been practising independently alongside her NHS commitments since 2013, providing medico-legal reports and acting as an Expert Witness for SEN Tribunal Hearings.

Alongside her independent practice, Lynsey currently works into a Mental Health in-reach service within a forensic Secure Children's Home, providing specialist assessments and interventions to children and young people who present with complex trauma, communication and mental health needs, and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Lynsey is passionate about ensuring that the voice of the child is heard and acted upon, and that the wellbeing of the child is at the very core of patient care.

Lynsey's knowledge, skills and values are integral to the formulation of our autism assessments, whereby her expertise and opinion form part of the high-quality multidisciplinary formulation for children and young people.

* Please note at this time we do not offer ADHD assessments

All professionals within the Clarity Psychology team are registered with the appropriate professional regulatory body responsible for maintaining standards in care.