Thrive Adult Autism Assessment
Adult Autism Diagnostic Assessment in Northern Ireland
Thrive is a specialist multidisciplinary team with over 40 years of combined clinical expertise
providing private diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD/Autism) in
adults.
Conveniently located in 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, currently being revised in 2026).
We also adhere to the NICE clinical guidelines ‘Autism spectrum disorder in adults:
diagnosis and management’ (2012, last updated in 2021) which state you should consider
assessment for possible autism when you experience the following:
- persistent challenges in social interaction.
- ∙persistent challenges in social communication.
- ∙preference for order, predictability and routine or resistance to change or have highly
focused interests.
As well as: ∙
- significant challenges with daily functioning such as problems in obtaining or
sustaining employment/education or having difficulties in initiating or sustaining
social relationships.
Jayne Perkes (co-founder of Thrive)
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 of 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, a PGDip in Sensory Integration in 2020 and a Master's (MSc) in Advanced Practice in 2025.
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. Speciality areas include Functional Assessments (using the Model of Human Occupation framework), adult sensory assessments and recommendations, vocational rehabilitation and fatigue management.
During the past 15 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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