Brief Summary
Emily is 6 years old, and she was referred to Minds Matter Clinic by her parents in July 2024, after she struggled with concentrating both at school and at home.
They reported in her most recent parents’ evening that the school had identified neurodevelopmental traits and had recommended that they contact their GP for a referral to assess for neurodiversity.
Emily’s parents contacted their local GP and were advised there was a 2-year waiting list for an initial assessment. They came to Minds Matter Clinic to pursue an assessment earlier so the correct level of support could be put in place for Emily both at home and in her school environment.
An initial consultation was offered whereby the clinician gathered further information about the traits that worried Emily’s parents. The clinician provided recommendations for which assessment the family should consider and provided a step-by-step guide on how the assessment process occurred.
Diagnosis and Assessment
After the initial deposit was paid, Minds Matter Clinic supplied the screening tools recommended by NICE guidelines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficiency Disorder (ADD) to Emily’s parents and school. These were received within 7 to 10 working days. Emily and her family were offered a face-to-face appointment due to Emily’s age, with an option for a virtual appointment if preferred.
Emily and her parents came in to see a consultant psychiatrist who specialises in Neurodiversity in children. The consultant spent some time with Emily and then her parents and everyone together as a family. The DIVA-5 assessment was completed, and the consultant provided a summary of the outcome, advising parents that the final diagnosis would be discussed within a multi-disciplinary meeting and a report would be sent to the parents.
After a multi-disciplinary discussion, a diagnosis of ADD was provided. Emily’s parents also received an in-depth report providing evidence for the diagnosis and recommendations for therapeutic interventions and psychoeducation for Emily, her parents, and her school. They were also offered a follow-up appointment to discuss the report and its recommendations.
Emily’s parents were happy with the recommendations made for the school and interventions which they could use at home to help manage Emily’s behaviour. They were satisfied with the outcome of the assessment and feedback provided.
Family Feedback
“We cannot praise Minds Matter Clinic in Nottingham highly enough. From the moment we walked through their doors, we were enveloped in a calm and welcoming atmosphere that immediately put us at ease.
We took our daughter for her ADD diagnosis – as you can imagine, the stress and uncertainty we felt as parents was overwhelming. However, the team at Minds Matter Clinic took all that stress away with their professionalism and compassionate care. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and made sure we understood every step of the process.
They took the time to listen to our concerns, answer our questions, and develop a tailored plan that addressed our daughter’s needs. Their approach was holistic and thorough, leaving no stone unturned. Throughout our visit, we felt supported and reassured. The calming environment and positive interactions with the team made a significant difference in our daughter’s comfort and confidence about going forward with ADD.
We are deeply grateful for their support and highly recommend them to any family navigating similar challenges. Thank you, Minds Matter Clinic, for making a world of difference in our lives.”
– The Mabbetts
