About Assessing Neurodivergence UK
About
DR SARA DOWSETT (SHE/HER)
Chartered Practitioner Psychologist PsychD, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Director of Assessing Neurodivergence UK
Professional Experience
I am a Chartered Practitioner Psychologist with over 15 years of clinical experience working across both the NHS and private sectors. I have been delivering ADHD assessments for many years within large scale NHS services, including contracts operating under the Right to Choose pathway.
I have worked as part of multidisciplinary teams providing combined ADHD and ASC assessments across NHS and independent settings. This collaborative work has given me extensive experience in understanding a wide range of neurodivergent profiles, including the complex and overlapping presentations of ADHD and autism, in both children and adults.
My wider clinical background includes work in a neuro rehabilitation unit and the delivery of complex psychological assessments within NHS services and for officers within the British Transport Police and UK British Rail. I am fully registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and the British Psychological Society, and I work in line with the highest professional, ethical, and clinical standards.
I place emphasis on identifying and valuing strengths. Our world would simply not have progressed in the way it has without the diverse ways that human minds work, including neurodivergent ways of thinking. If you or your child are seeking a neurodivergent assessment, there is no doubt that there will be strengths present alongside any areas of challenge. These strengths may include creativity, depth of focus, original thinking, problem solving abilities, emotional insight, and unique perspectives, all of which deserve to be recognised and understood.
I aim to ensure that children, families and adults feel genuinely seen, understood, and respected throughout the assessment journey, with outcomes that support both their needs and their strengths.
My Lived Experience
I am a mum, raising my two wonderful little ones alongside my husband on the South Coast of England. One of our children is neurodivergent, and as a parent I am navigating both the deep joys of raising a sparky, bright and loving child, alongside the realities of engaging with systems that are often rigid, outdated, neurotypical in design – and not always built with the flexibility many neurodivergent children need.
Experiencing the assessment process firsthand has had a profound influence on my practice. It has reinforced the importance of working alongside families and individuals in ways that are compassionate, collaborative, and genuinely strengths-focused, while recognising the whole person within the context of their relationships, environments, and lived experience.
I also bring lived experience through my own late diagnosis of ADHD, an experience that was deeply validating and transformative, and one that brought clarity to much of my own life. This perspective continues to shape how I work, reinforcing my commitment to thoughtful, compassionate assessment and to supporting meaningful change beyond diagnosis.
DR JESS GOUGH
Clinical Psychologist
I am a Clinical Psychologist who has worked with autistic children and adults and people with ADHD and Tourette Syndrome/Tic Disorder for more than 20 years. I am a registered practitioner psychologist with the health and care professions council (HCPC). I started my career working in a school for autistic children. Since that time, I have worked assessing, diagnosing and helping both neurodivergent children and adults.
Before moving into private practice, I worked for many years in the NHS across several different services. I have extensive experience of working with children and adolescents in several CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health service) teams. I have also worked in specialist teams for eating disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions and with young offenders. I have particular interest in working therapeutically with stress, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
My undergraduate degree and doctorate in clinical psychology were undertaken in the UK at Oxford University and the University of London.
JACKI GOLDSMITH
Speech & Language Therapist
I am a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and I graduated from the University of Reading in 2006. I have 20 years’ experience working across the NHS and private sectors, as well as in special schools and colleges. Over the years, this has given me the opportunity to support a wide range of children and young people with diverse communication needs.
I have particular expertise in autism and learning disability and I regularly contribute to multidisciplinary autism and ADHD assessments within private and NHS diagnostic services. Working collaboratively within these teams has given me a strong understanding of the varied and often overlapping presentations of neurodivergence. I take a thorough, compassionate and neuro-affirming approach to assessment, ensuring that each person’s individual profile is carefully explored and understood.
Alongside my diagnostic work, I lead a charity-based multidisciplinary therapy team and run a private practice specialising in early intervention for children with communication differences. Across all areas of my work, I am committed to providing thoughtful, evidence-based support that is tailored to each individual and family.
I place a strong emphasis on recognising strengths as well as identifying areas of need. Neurodiversity brings valuable perspectives, creativity and ways of thinking that enrich our communities. Where there are challenges, there are also strengths whether that is deep focus, unique problem-solving skills, empathy, insight or original thinking. These qualities deserve to be acknowledged and nurtured.
My aim is always to ensure that children, adults and families feel genuinely heard, understood and respected throughout the assessment and therapy process, with outcomes that support both their needs and their strengths.
VICTORIA (SHE/HER)
Administrative Assistant
Meet Victoria, Virtual Administrative Assistant at Assessing Neurodivergence UK. Victoria provides a calm, reliable, behind the scenes support that helps ensure client interactions run smoothly. With a strong background in administrative and operational support for a variety of businesses, she plays a key role in supporting both the team and the people who visit our service.
Victoria understands the importance of clear communication, structure, and consistency, particularly within neurodiversity affirming services, and works hard to create robust administrative systems that clients are able to navigate with ease.
Empowerment Through Understanding and Support
The Mission
Our mission is to provide high quality, neurodiversity affirming assessments for adults that are accessible, respectful, and centred on individual experience. We are committed to clear communication, high clinical standards, and compassionate care, ensuring every person feels heard, understood, and supported throughout their assessment journey. We aim to reduce barriers, ease uncertainty, and offer a process that is transparent, inclusive, and grounded in best practice.
The Vision
Our vision is a future where neurodivergent children and adults have timely access to accurate assessment, meaningful understanding, and supportive pathways forward. We strive to contribute to a system where neurodivergence is recognised and respected, and where individuals leave the assessment process with clarity, validation, and practical support options that positively impact their wellbeing, self understanding, and daily life.