Thrive Adult Autism Assessment
Adult Autism Diagnostic Assessment in Northern Ireland
Thrive is a specialist multidisciplinary team providing private diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in adults. With our wide range of clinical expertise (including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques adapted for autism) we are also able to provide person centred interventions such as:
- Adjusting to an autism diagnosis
- Managing transitions e.g. a new job
- Identifying and managing sensory processing difficulties
- Stress management
- Improving self-esteem
- Emotional regulation
Conveniently located in Dundonald (part of Greater Belfast) we offer a professional, evidence based and supportive environment for assessment.
Our diagnostic process aims to be ‘gold standard’ and is based on the diagnostic standards set out in the Autism Adult Care Pathway (HSC 2013).
We also adhere to the NICE clinical guidelines ‘Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management’ (2012) which state you should consider assessment for possible autism when a person has one or more of the following:
- persistent difficulties in social interaction
- persistent difficulties in social communication
- stereotypic (rigid and repetitive) behaviours, resistance to change or restricted interests
- difficulties which significantly impair daily functioning such as problems in obtaining or sustaining employment/education or having difficulties in initiating or sustaining social relationships.
Jayne Perkes
Advanced Clinic Specialist Occupational Therapist
Jayne Perkes has worked as an adult autism diagnostician since 2011, in both NHS and private settings. At Thrive she coordinates the specialist multidisciplinary team which provides ‘gold standard’ diagnostic assessment specifically for adults. She has over 26 years’ experience working within the NHS.
Jayne obtained her BSc Hons Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Ulster in 1996, a PG Cert in Sensory Integration in 2015 and a PGDip in Sensory Integration in 2020. She is a member of the Royal College of OT (RCOT) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (OT25658).
Jayne has a range of experience working with adults in both physical rehabilitation and mental health Recovery settings. Specialty areas include Functional Assessments (using the Model of Human Occupation framework), adult sensory assessments and recommendations, vocational rehabilitation and fatigue management.
During the past twelve years Jayne has been part of an NHS Adult Autism Diagnostic team and has significant clinical experience and specific training in adult ASD including the administration of the ADOS-2.
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