Welcome to

can

Identifying and
celebrating
Neurodivergence in the
South West

Private ASD ADHD Assessments - Cornwall Autism and Neurodevelopment (CAN)

CORNWALL AUTISM AND NEURODEVELOPMENT (can) specialise in private autism, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people and adults in Cornwall, Devon and the South West.

Providing thorough, compassionate, and clinically robust assessments is at the heart of everything we do. Our multidisciplinary team has many years of experience delivering NHS autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurodevelopmental assessments, giving us a deep understanding of the importance of accurate, high-quality diagnosis and personalised recommendations.

Because we are a genuinely local service, we have strong working knowledge of schools, NHS pathways (including CAMHS and NDAT), local authorities, and support organisations throughout Cornwall, Devon, and the South West. This means we are able to provide meaningful local signposting and tailored guidance to services and support available close to home — something that larger national online providers are often unable to offer.

Our experienced multidisciplinary team includes a Psychiatrist, Paediatrician, Psychologist, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, and a Mental Health Nurse — all with extensive NHS experience in diagnosing autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

As a neuroaffirmative service, CAN celebrates and supports the strengths, individuality, and lived experiences of the neurodivergent people we meet. All assessments are completed in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, ensuring best practice throughout the assessment process.

What we CAN offer:

  • Self-Referral and Free Initial Screening

    No professional endorsement is required; individuals, or parents can contact Cornwall Autism and Neurodevelopment (CAN) themselves and request free initial screening to ensure that an autism, ADHD, or broader neurodevelopmental assessment is appropriate. .

  • Clear and Transparent Pricing Structure

    We have an upfront pricing system as we understand the financial commitment involved in opting for a private ASD and neurodevelopmental assessment in Cornwall. Our screening process is completely free and then if we do proceed with assessment, you will only have one fee to pay with no hidden extras.

  • Seen Quickly for a Face to Face Assessment

    We are very aware of the long waiting times for ASD and other neurodevelopmental diagnosis within the NHS. By opting for a private autism, ADHD or neurodevelopmental assessment you will be seen quickly and at a time to suit you, usually within two months following screening.

  • Links with Local Services and organisations

    We are a well regarded, ethical assessment team. Our clinicians have worked in Cornwall and the South West for many years and have established links within the NHS, Education, Local Authorities, local charities and organisations. This ensures we are able to signpost to appropriate support and services relevant and near to you.

  • Multidisciplinary Team of Highly Experienced Cinicians

    We are a hugely experienced, multidisciplinary team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Paediatrician and a Mental Health Nurse, all of whom have worked, or currently work for NHS teams including autism and neurodevelopmental assessment services.

  • Fun and Friendly Assessments

    We understand how daunting it is for children, families and individuals to engage in an assessment process; we therefore ensure that we talk you though every step and tailor the assessment to suit your, or your family's needs. The face to face assessment is fun and our clinicians are skilled at putting people at ease.

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Who CAN are:

Our View on ASD Terminology

As a diagnostic service we use the term ‘autism spectrum disorder’, or ‘ASD’ in our reports and also on our website for two reasons:

  • In order that people will discover our website when searching using a variety of terms including autism, autism spectrum disorder and ASD
  • To ensure that our diagnostic conclusions are clearly aligned to the current diagnostic manual (DSM-5) and our reports are therefore recognised as valid by statutory agencies including health, social care and education.

We do not, however, view autism as a ‘disorder’ or something that needs to be fixed, but rather as a pattern of strengths and challenges which are shared by other people who also identify as autistic. Whilst there may be some similarities in terms of these patterns of strengths and difficulties, we recognise that each autistic individual is unique and has their own unique strengths and challenges. Our aim is to help others around each person to recognise their strengths and their huge potential to grow and achieve great things in their lives.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to arrange an assessment for you or your child.
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