KELLY
HEAD OF CHILD & ADULT PRE-ASSESSMENTS
CHILD & TEEN ADHD /ASD COACH
WALK & TALK THERAPY
NEURODIVERSITY LIAISON ~ PARENTS & SCHOOLS
CLASSROOM ASSESSOR FOR ADHD & ASD
PARENTING COACH
DISABILITY ALLOWANCE SUPPORT
EHCP GUIDANCE & SUPPORT
Kelly sees clients for Walk & Talk Therapy at Coombe Martin, Woolacombe Beach, Helen Bay and Holdstone Downs. She also sees clients online.
DIAGNOSED ADHD
Kelly had until recently lived her whole life with undiagnosed ADHD, ASD and OCD. She has learned through her own experiences what methods can help and how individual everyone’s support needs to be. She has seen first-hand the damage that can arise from not being diagnosed correctly through her own experiences and her family’s.
As well as her professional experience, Kelly has over 18 years of immediate family experience with ADHD, ASD, Epilepsy, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Both Kelly’s children have ASD and her son has ADHD, Landau Kleffner syndrome, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Her daughter has Anxiety and ASD, and Kelly understands females ‘masking’, having grown up with both undiagnosed ASD and ADHD.
Kelly has had to fight for her son since he was 18 months old – pushing to get him correctly diagnosed, securing him an EHCP from a very early age and negotiating a school system which wasn’t neurodiverse friendly. She recently won a year-long appeal case allowing her son to retake three years of education so he could sit his GCSEs.
Kelly’s passion lies in helping children and young adults flourish to reach their dreams. She believes all children are uniquely individual and the current draconian education system simply does not work for neurodiverse children. Kelly has seen too many adolescents end up in trouble with the police because they haven’t been diagnosed correctly at school, through family trauma or generally being misunderstood. Working in many schools, she saw huge failures in the system with teachers woefully undertrained in how to recognise and manage ADHD and ASD children. She is passionate about helping parents have their ADHD and ASD children assessed in schools and travels the UK to represent parents in classrooms.
Kelly knows all too well how it is to be ‘not understood’ by both family, teachers and friends. She has managed to push through and follow her dreams and is passionate about helping others do the same. She firmly believes there are no hurdles that cannot be overcome.
Qualifications
- Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods NVQ Level 3 2005
- Award in Conducting Internal Quality Assurance NVQ Level 4 2006
- Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector NVQ Level 4 2011
- Science and Health FHEQ Level 4 2019
- Restorative Justice 2019
- Certificate of Higher Education (Criminology) CERTHE Level 4 2020
- CYP-IAPT PROGRAMME Psychological Perspectives in Education and Primary Care OCD 2020
- Introduction to Psychology FHEQ Level 4 2021
- Life Coaching NVQ Level 3 2021
- Samaritans Listening Training 2021
- National Autistic Society – Supporting Families 2021
- National Autistic Society – Autism, Stress & Anxiety 2021
- National Autistic Society – Autism & Sensory Experiences 2021
- National Autistic Society – Understanding Autism 2021
- National Autistic Society – Autism & Communication 2021
- Brain, Mind and Mental Health Level 5 2023
- Investigating Human Health & Disease Level 5 2023
- Family Law Level 5 2023
- Forensic Psychology Level 4 2023
- Criminal Psychology Level 4 Complete Jan 2024
- Hypnotherapy Past Life Regression Diploma. Completes Jan 2024
- Counselling and Forensic psychology: Investigating Crime and Therapy Level 6 Complete June 2024
- Open BSc ( Honours ) Degree Level 6 Complete June 2025
- Enhanced DBS certificate
See what Kelly’s previous clients have said …
I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to Kelly for all that she has done for our family. She is an amazing coach and helped us through a very difficult time. She met with each of my daughters, one who was already diagnosed with ADHD and the other who has since been diagnosed (with Kelly’s help).
My daughters are like chalk and cheese, they have opposing sensory issues – long story short, one likes peace and quiet, the other is very loud. This has been an issue for many years.
Kelly really connected with them both, she made them feel heard and she ‘got’ them, they enjoyed talking to her. She helped me to identify the girls’ different needs and came up with suggestions of different tools and routines, really practical advice that has helped them in their everyday lives. We have all felt the benefit!
Kelly is extremely knowledgeable and also very flexible, she recognises that what works for one person may not work for another, so we would trial something and if it worked great, if it didn’t work, she would have plenty of other ideas. I literally can’t thank Kelly enough, she’s made such a difference to our lives!
Kelly is very knowledgeable about ADHD and related conditions and is very empathic and understanding about the difficulties kids have. Kelly has an excellent manner and immediately put my daughter at ease. Kelly allowed her to express herself freely, but also ensured that all of the key issues were addressed. My daughter and I both found the session very informative and helpful.
Just to let you know, Kelly was amazing. She was patient, kind and very helpful. Many thanks.
I wanted to let you know about my experience with Kelly.
I bought the audio book “How Not to Murder Your ADHD kid” when I noticed the author runs Headstuff ADHD Therapy.
I looked into all the therapists profiles and what support they could offer me and my 10 year old autistic son.
I contacted Kelly desperate for help and guidance with my EHCP application. I paid for a consultation which was booked in very quickly with Kelly.
Kelly was very direct with her help and support which I really needed to hear. I dont need any beating around the bush and waffling on. It was clear to me that Kelly is very experienced and knows her subject matter thoroughly.
She put me at ease and understood exactly where I was coming from with mine and my son’s life and all the hoops we have had to fight to get through and continue to do.
She highlighted the services offered by Headstuff and I booked in for Kelly to complete an ADHD pre-assessment on my son.
My son was aware of when Kelly was going to be speaking with him on zoom. He was nervous during the assessment but interacted well with Kelly who put him at ease and made him feel like they were just chatting – she gave him breaks and kept his attention well.
The report is well documented, clear, concise and describes my son and his struggles very accurately.
Kelly is very professional, has empathy, understanding and guided both of us through the assessment comfortably.
Kelly is a real asset to Headstuff.
Understanding ADHD has brought enormous peace to me as a mum and wife to an ADHD adult & two kids.
In recent months, my 9 year old son has been experiencing increased anxiety, emotional outbursts, over-reaction and complaining that he finds school boring and keeps getting told off by his teacher.
The GP suggested we find him a therapist and I found a local one. From the first session, she commented “she’d be happy to still see him but that she didn’t think she was right for him and that ADHD is something we should consider looking at”
At the same time, my husband who has been living with high-functioning anxiety (unbeknown to me) which in recent years has been getting worse, started to see the same therapist. She also mentioned ADHD to him. This was building to a perfect storm!
As an avid listener of audio books I happened to discover via my searches, the book ‘HOW NOT TO MURDER YOUR ADHD KID – INSTEAD LEARN TO BE YOUR CHILD’S OWN ADHD COACH’.
I almost listened to the book in one sitting! It was truly profound as it described exactly another of my children! I have to say I did cry because, whilst it was a long series of lightbulb moments, I felt so guilty that my child had struggled through secondary school, that I had saddled him with a very flaky counsellor who really didn’t get him, and angry also that a school, who had picked up on his short-term memory problems, had never once suggested ADHD.
It is from this book, which I have listened to numerous times now, recommended to EVERYONE, including my 9 year old’s school, I found ‘Headstuff ADHD Therapy’. I can say honestly, as a family, our experience with them has been life changing.
My husband is now diagnosed, starting medication and has Greg as his Coach, who he describes as “one of the most decent human beings he has ever met”.
My 9 year old has gone through an ADHD/ASD Pre- assessment with Kelly, which highlighted other possible neuro-diversities we’d not considered. We will soon be going to see a Paediatrician to get the formal diagnosis and hopefully start medication to help calm that overly busy but clever brain of his!
The pre-assessment with Kelly was very insightful and continued to trigger more light bulb moments. Kelly handled my son brilliantly, negotiating with him for his time and attention to get the information she needed. You can see why the Headstuff team having ADHD themselves is so important. The report back was detailed but easy to read and the school very appreciative of it. My son now knows he has this superpower, which he’s OK with although would prefer teleporting as his superpower!
My husband feels liberated and a lot calmer and happier. As for me, I am relieved and thrilled to have all this information, and empowered to help my perfect little family be the best versions of themselves.
My 8 year old son was finding it very hard to concentrate and focus at school. We had also noticed this at home during daily activities.
We decided we wanted him to have a pre-assessment and a friend had suggested Headstuff. We paid for the assessment online and promptly received an email and arranged a Zoom meeting for the following week.
Kelly was great and made us all feel at ease instantly. My son engaged really well when answering the questions and it was all very informal, more like a chat with a friendly face.
Kelly is very knowledgeable and was able to link us up with a very good paediatrician.
The detailed report was written up and sent across to us within a few days.
We are now on to the next stage of diagnosis and meetings with the school. I believe the pre-assessment has helped enormously in making the process easier and move along a lot quicker.
I would definitely recommend Kelly and the team at Headstuff to anyone thinking of having their child pre-assessed for ADHD or any of the comorbidities.
Thank you for this pre-assessment report. You have really captured the essence of Lucy’s difficulties. It is incredible the difference it makes talking to people who actually understand and know about the challenges neurodiverse people face daily.
You are an excellent advocate and I’m so happy we met you! Lucy enjoyed talking to you and she rarely talks to anyone.
We don’t often tell people how good they are at what they do, we too often make complaints. This is definitely one of the instances when someone has not only done their job but done it to a very high standard – I can’t thank you enough and this is only the beginning.
Your report will certainly open up lots of avenues to be explored with Lucy and begins the road to understanding and accepting herself and finding happiness.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the assessment today. You really put my son at ease and he actually very much enjoyed talking to you.
He said he felt like it was such a relief to have had the chance to talk about things, to get some sort of idea finally of why he struggles with certain things and has some different behaviours to most of his friends!! I feel a sense of relief too.
I just wanted to say thank you for such a positive experience and for the advice you have given so far.
I got in touch with Sarah Templeton regarding our 6 year old daughter who had been for triaged out of the NHS pathway because she wasn’t exhibiting enough traits in the school setting despite being a completely different child at home and struggling (the usual story for girls). Sarah conducted a pre-assessment and indicated SPD, traits of Autism and ADHD.
Following a formal complaint to the NHS provider and submission of Sarah’s pre-assessment document, our daughter’s ADHD referral was finally accepted and she is awaiting assessment and we are positive it will result in diagnosis.
Sarah was also able to signpost us to Kelly, Head of Headstuff’s Pre Assessment service, in relation to our eldest daughter who is 12. Our daughter struggles to talk to people she doesn’t know and was really reluctant to speak about ADHD or any of her feelings.
On the day of the pre-assessment Kelly made her feel comfortable and spoke about her own lived experiences which we found really beneficial and our daughter responded well to. She explained exactly what she would be doing to ensure she understood the process.
Our daughter coloured a picture throughout the assessment and her creativity was acknowledged by Kelly. At one stage our daughter left the room crying because she clearly felt embarrassed about some of the topics discussed. Kelly was really accommodating and reassured her she didn’t have to be present or if she was – she could be off screen.
After a hug she continued with the assessment and finally felt comfortable enough to resume on screen.
Kelly provided our daughter with validation for how she feels and thinks in relation to some of her behaviours. She was incredibly knowledgeable around not only ADHD but a whole range of neurodivergent conditions such as autism, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and dyslexia.
She was also very knowledgeable as to how her secondary school could and should help support her in school and the adjustments we could ask to be considered.
Kelly’s communication was fantastic and the final report was thorough with advice on what steps to take next. She also provided information on a number of options for assessment such as a private pathway or via the Right to Choose.
Due to our daughter’s struggles and hormones playing a part we made the decision to pay privately for a quicker assessment. As a result our daughter received her diagnosis of Inattentive ADHD yesterday. This was 8 weeks from our appointment with Kelly. In reflection we could’ve waited and saved ourselves the cost but there was no guarantee due to changing criteria for ‘Right to Choose’ that she’d get seen.
As our 6 year old has a little time to go before hormones start to impact her further, we have followed Kelly’s advice and been successful in getting her onto the Right to Choose pathway and she should be seen within 7 months as opposed to the 2-5 year current NHS waiting list in our area.
We are incredibly grateful to Sarah and Kelly for their help and cannot recommend them enough.
We really enjoyed my child’s pre-assessment with Kelly.
She explained everything very clearly and really put both my child and me at ease. She’s got a great sense of humour which really eased the process and she’s very warm.
I really recommend her, and in fact have shared her details with a friend who is about to use her for a pre-assessment. The report she produced is clear and detailed and most of all – helpful.
Thank you
I wanted to write to let you know what a difference one of the ADHD coaches, Thomas has made to our 13 yr old son. And also Kelly who undertook the preassessment.
In the short time Thomas has worked with our son his life has done a 180 degree turnaround. It is all early days and there is so much more for him to work through and realise, but for the first time he has self-belief, ambition and aspiration.
No matter how much we love him , and try to support him, it is not the same as having someone in your corner who truly gets you from the inside.
I cannot thank Headstuff enough…and Thomas for what he has given us all…HOPE.
Our journey with you started with Kelly who was also phenomenal…again that immediate connection with our boy. Had it not been for him wanting to work with a male he could identify with, we would have happily continued with Kelly.
Clearly the organisation has a talent to spot people who ‘get it’ to work alongside people with neurodiversity/ADHD.
I just wanted to get in touch and let you know the impact you have had on our lives and thank you. I wish every young person had this…the whole world would be a much better place.
With deepest gratitude and hope,
Dear Headstuff, what would we do without you.
My daughter and I have struggled to achieve any compassionate and sensitive response from any professional to date. Until we met your team and in particular Kelly.
Emerging neurodiversity is a ride, not only for the child but for their parents too. It may be helpful for me to list some of the qualities we experienced in our pre assessment with Kelly:
Compassion
Genuine concern
Empathy
Kindness
Well informed and experienced
Solution focused
Straight forward and direct communication -delivered like a hug!
Inclusive of all family members
Connection- appropriate use of self Humour!
Sharing of resources, knowledge and experience.
Amazing timescales.
If every neurodiverse family had a ‘Kelly’ we would rule the world!
Thanks Headstuff for everything you do.
I just wanted to pass on a review of Kelly’s services that she provided to me and my daughter a few weeks back. Having Kelly listening to us and providing support and guidance to us is something I’ve been searching for, for so long.
She was extremely professional and knowledgeable and we couldn’t have hoped for a better service.
KELLY
HEAD OF CHILD & ADULT PRE-ASSESSMENTS
CHILD & TEEN ADHD /ASD COACH
WALK & TALK THERAPY
NEURODIVERSITY LIAISON ~ PARENTS & SCHOOLS
CLASSROOM ASSESSOR FOR ADHD & ASD
PARENTING COACH
DISABILITY ALLOWANCE SUPPORT
EHCP GUIDANCE & SUPPORT
Kelly sees clients for Walk & Talk Therapy at Coombe Martin, Woolacombe Beach, Helen Bay and Holdstone Downs. She also sees clients online.
DIAGNOSED ADHD
Kelly had until recently lived her whole life with undiagnosed ADHD, ASD and OCD. She has learned through her own experiences what methods can help and how individual everyone’s support needs to be. She has seen first-hand the damage that can arise from not being diagnosed correctly through her own experiences and her family’s.
As well as her professional experience, Kelly has over 18 years of immediate family experience with ADHD, ASD, Epilepsy, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Both Kelly’s children have ASD and her son has ADHD, Landau Kleffner syndrome, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Her daughter has Anxiety and ASD, and Kelly understands females ‘masking’, having grown up with both undiagnosed ASD and ADHD.
Kelly has had to fight for her son since he was 18 months old – pushing to get him correctly diagnosed, securing him an EHCP from a very early age and negotiating a school system which wasn’t neurodiverse friendly. She recently won a year-long appeal case allowing her son to retake three years of education so he could sit his GCSEs.
Kelly’s passion lies in helping children and young adults flourish to reach their dreams. She believes all children are uniquely individual and the current draconian education system simply does not work for neurodiverse children. Kelly has seen too many adolescents end up in trouble with the police because they haven’t been diagnosed correctly at school, through family trauma or generally being misunderstood. Working in many schools, she saw huge failures in the system with teachers woefully undertrained in how to recognise and manage ADHD and ASD children. She is passionate about helping parents have their ADHD and ASD children assessed in schools and travels the UK to represent parents in classrooms.
Kelly knows all too well how it is to be ‘not understood’ by both family, teachers and friends. She has managed to push through and follow her dreams and is passionate about helping others do the same. She firmly believes there are no hurdles that cannot be overcome.
Qualifications
- Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods NVQ Level 3 2005
- Award in Conducting Internal Quality Assurance NVQ Level 4 2006
- Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector NVQ Level 4 2011
- Science and Health FHEQ Level 4 2019
- Restorative Justice 2019
- Certificate of Higher Education (Criminology) CERTHE Level 4 2020
- CYP-IAPT PROGRAMME Psychological Perspectives in Education and Primary Care OCD 2020
- Introduction to Psychology FHEQ Level 4 2021
- Life Coaching NVQ Level 3 2021
- Samaritans Listening Training 2021
- National Autistic Society – Supporting Families 2021
- National Autistic Society – Autism, Stress & Anxiety 2021
- National Autistic Society – Autism & Sensory Experiences 2021
- National Autistic Society – Understanding Autism 2021
- National Autistic Society – Autism & Communication 2021
- Brain, Mind and Mental Health Level 5 2023
- Investigating Human Health & Disease Level 5 2023
- Family Law Level 5 2023
- Forensic Psychology Level 4 2023
- Criminal Psychology Level 4 Complete Jan 2024
- Hypnotherapy Past Life Regression Diploma. Completes Jan 2024
- Counselling and Forensic psychology: Investigating Crime and Therapy Level 6 Complete June 2024
- Open BSc ( Honours ) Degree Level 6 Complete June 2025
- Enhanced DBS certificate
See what Kelly’s previous clients have said …
I would like to say a massive THANK YOU to Kelly for all that she has done for our family. She is an amazing coach and helped us through a very difficult time. She met with each of my daughters, one who was already diagnosed with ADHD and the other who has since been diagnosed (with Kelly’s help).
My daughters are like chalk and cheese, they have opposing sensory issues – long story short, one likes peace and quiet, the other is very loud. This has been an issue for many years.
Kelly really connected with them both, she made them feel heard and she ‘got’ them, they enjoyed talking to her. She helped me to identify the girls’ different needs and came up with suggestions of different tools and routines, really practical advice that has helped them in their everyday lives. We have all felt the benefit!
Kelly is extremely knowledgeable and also very flexible, she recognises that what works for one person may not work for another, so we would trial something and if it worked great, if it didn’t work, she would have plenty of other ideas. I literally can’t thank Kelly enough, she’s made such a difference to our lives!
Kelly is very knowledgeable about ADHD and related conditions and is very empathic and understanding about the difficulties kids have. Kelly has an excellent manner and immediately put my daughter at ease. Kelly allowed her to express herself freely, but also ensured that all of the key issues were addressed. My daughter and I both found the session very informative and helpful.
Just to let you know, Kelly was amazing. She was patient, kind and very helpful. Many thanks.
I wanted to let you know about my experience with Kelly.
I bought the audio book “How Not to Murder Your ADHD kid” when I noticed the author runs Headstuff ADHD Therapy.
I looked into all the therapists profiles and what support they could offer me and my 10 year old autistic son.
I contacted Kelly desperate for help and guidance with my EHCP application. I paid for a consultation which was booked in very quickly with Kelly.
Kelly was very direct with her help and support which I really needed to hear. I dont need any beating around the bush and waffling on. It was clear to me that Kelly is very experienced and knows her subject matter thoroughly.
She put me at ease and understood exactly where I was coming from with mine and my son’s life and all the hoops we have had to fight to get through and continue to do.
She highlighted the services offered by Headstuff and I booked in for Kelly to complete an ADHD pre-assessment on my son.
My son was aware of when Kelly was going to be speaking with him on zoom. He was nervous during the assessment but interacted well with Kelly who put him at ease and made him feel like they were just chatting – she gave him breaks and kept his attention well.
The report is well documented, clear, concise and describes my son and his struggles very accurately.
Kelly is very professional, has empathy, understanding and guided both of us through the assessment comfortably.
Kelly is a real asset to Headstuff.
Understanding ADHD has brought enormous peace to me as a mum and wife to an ADHD adult & two kids.
In recent months, my 9 year old son has been experiencing increased anxiety, emotional outbursts, over-reaction and complaining that he finds school boring and keeps getting told off by his teacher.
The GP suggested we find him a therapist and I found a local one. From the first session, she commented “she’d be happy to still see him but that she didn’t think she was right for him and that ADHD is something we should consider looking at”
At the same time, my husband who has been living with high-functioning anxiety (unbeknown to me) which in recent years has been getting worse, started to see the same therapist. She also mentioned ADHD to him. This was building to a perfect storm!
As an avid listener of audio books I happened to discover via my searches, the book ‘HOW NOT TO MURDER YOUR ADHD KID – INSTEAD LEARN TO BE YOUR CHILD’S OWN ADHD COACH’.
I almost listened to the book in one sitting! It was truly profound as it described exactly another of my children! I have to say I did cry because, whilst it was a long series of lightbulb moments, I felt so guilty that my child had struggled through secondary school, that I had saddled him with a very flaky counsellor who really didn’t get him, and angry also that a school, who had picked up on his short-term memory problems, had never once suggested ADHD.
It is from this book, which I have listened to numerous times now, recommended to EVERYONE, including my 9 year old’s school, I found ‘Headstuff ADHD Therapy’. I can say honestly, as a family, our experience with them has been life changing.
My husband is now diagnosed, starting medication and has Greg as his Coach, who he describes as “one of the most decent human beings he has ever met”.
My 9 year old has gone through an ADHD/ASD Pre- assessment with Kelly, which highlighted other possible neuro-diversities we’d not considered. We will soon be going to see a Paediatrician to get the formal diagnosis and hopefully start medication to help calm that overly busy but clever brain of his!
The pre-assessment with Kelly was very insightful and continued to trigger more light bulb moments. Kelly handled my son brilliantly, negotiating with him for his time and attention to get the information she needed. You can see why the Headstuff team having ADHD themselves is so important. The report back was detailed but easy to read and the school very appreciative of it. My son now knows he has this superpower, which he’s OK with although would prefer teleporting as his superpower!
My husband feels liberated and a lot calmer and happier. As for me, I am relieved and thrilled to have all this information, and empowered to help my perfect little family be the best versions of themselves.
My 8 year old son was finding it very hard to concentrate and focus at school. We had also noticed this at home during daily activities.
We decided we wanted him to have a pre-assessment and a friend had suggested Headstuff. We paid for the assessment online and promptly received an email and arranged a Zoom meeting for the following week.
Kelly was great and made us all feel at ease instantly. My son engaged really well when answering the questions and it was all very informal, more like a chat with a friendly face.
Kelly is very knowledgeable and was able to link us up with a very good paediatrician.
The detailed report was written up and sent across to us within a few days.
We are now on to the next stage of diagnosis and meetings with the school. I believe the pre-assessment has helped enormously in making the process easier and move along a lot quicker.
I would definitely recommend Kelly and the team at Headstuff to anyone thinking of having their child pre-assessed for ADHD or any of the comorbidities.
Thank you for this pre-assessment report. You have really captured the essence of Lucy’s difficulties. It is incredible the difference it makes talking to people who actually understand and know about the challenges neurodiverse people face daily.
You are an excellent advocate and I’m so happy we met you! Lucy enjoyed talking to you and she rarely talks to anyone.
We don’t often tell people how good they are at what they do, we too often make complaints. This is definitely one of the instances when someone has not only done their job but done it to a very high standard – I can’t thank you enough and this is only the beginning.
Your report will certainly open up lots of avenues to be explored with Lucy and begins the road to understanding and accepting herself and finding happiness.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the assessment today. You really put my son at ease and he actually very much enjoyed talking to you.
He said he felt like it was such a relief to have had the chance to talk about things, to get some sort of idea finally of why he struggles with certain things and has some different behaviours to most of his friends!! I feel a sense of relief too.
I just wanted to say thank you for such a positive experience and for the advice you have given so far.
I got in touch with Sarah Templeton regarding our 6 year old daughter who had been for triaged out of the NHS pathway because she wasn’t exhibiting enough traits in the school setting despite being a completely different child at home and struggling (the usual story for girls). Sarah conducted a pre-assessment and indicated SPD, traits of Autism and ADHD.
Following a formal complaint to the NHS provider and submission of Sarah’s pre-assessment document, our daughter’s ADHD referral was finally accepted and she is awaiting assessment and we are positive it will result in diagnosis.
Sarah was also able to signpost us to Kelly, Head of Headstuff’s Pre Assessment service, in relation to our eldest daughter who is 12. Our daughter struggles to talk to people she doesn’t know and was really reluctant to speak about ADHD or any of her feelings.
On the day of the pre-assessment Kelly made her feel comfortable and spoke about her own lived experiences which we found really beneficial and our daughter responded well to. She explained exactly what she would be doing to ensure she understood the process.
Our daughter coloured a picture throughout the assessment and her creativity was acknowledged by Kelly. At one stage our daughter left the room crying because she clearly felt embarrassed about some of the topics discussed. Kelly was really accommodating and reassured her she didn’t have to be present or if she was – she could be off screen.
After a hug she continued with the assessment and finally felt comfortable enough to resume on screen.
Kelly provided our daughter with validation for how she feels and thinks in relation to some of her behaviours. She was incredibly knowledgeable around not only ADHD but a whole range of neurodivergent conditions such as autism, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and dyslexia.
She was also very knowledgeable as to how her secondary school could and should help support her in school and the adjustments we could ask to be considered.
Kelly’s communication was fantastic and the final report was thorough with advice on what steps to take next. She also provided information on a number of options for assessment such as a private pathway or via the Right to Choose.
Due to our daughter’s struggles and hormones playing a part we made the decision to pay privately for a quicker assessment. As a result our daughter received her diagnosis of Inattentive ADHD yesterday. This was 8 weeks from our appointment with Kelly. In reflection we could’ve waited and saved ourselves the cost but there was no guarantee due to changing criteria for ‘Right to Choose’ that she’d get seen.
As our 6 year old has a little time to go before hormones start to impact her further, we have followed Kelly’s advice and been successful in getting her onto the Right to Choose pathway and she should be seen within 7 months as opposed to the 2-5 year current NHS waiting list in our area.
We are incredibly grateful to Sarah and Kelly for their help and cannot recommend them enough.
We really enjoyed my child’s pre-assessment with Kelly.
She explained everything very clearly and really put both my child and me at ease. She’s got a great sense of humour which really eased the process and she’s very warm.
I really recommend her, and in fact have shared her details with a friend who is about to use her for a pre-assessment. The report she produced is clear and detailed and most of all – helpful.
Thank you
I wanted to write to let you know what a difference one of the ADHD coaches, Thomas has made to our 13 yr old son. And also Kelly who undertook the preassessment.
In the short time Thomas has worked with our son his life has done a 180 degree turnaround. It is all early days and there is so much more for him to work through and realise, but for the first time he has self-belief, ambition and aspiration.
No matter how much we love him , and try to support him, it is not the same as having someone in your corner who truly gets you from the inside.
I cannot thank Headstuff enough…and Thomas for what he has given us all…HOPE.
Our journey with you started with Kelly who was also phenomenal…again that immediate connection with our boy. Had it not been for him wanting to work with a male he could identify with, we would have happily continued with Kelly.
Clearly the organisation has a talent to spot people who ‘get it’ to work alongside people with neurodiversity/ADHD.
I just wanted to get in touch and let you know the impact you have had on our lives and thank you. I wish every young person had this…the whole world would be a much better place.
With deepest gratitude and hope,
Dear Headstuff, what would we do without you.
My daughter and I have struggled to achieve any compassionate and sensitive response from any professional to date. Until we met your team and in particular Kelly.
Emerging neurodiversity is a ride, not only for the child but for their parents too. It may be helpful for me to list some of the qualities we experienced in our pre assessment with Kelly:
Compassion
Genuine concern
Empathy
Kindness
Well informed and experienced
Solution focused
Straight forward and direct communication -delivered like a hug!
Inclusive of all family members
Connection- appropriate use of self Humour!
Sharing of resources, knowledge and experience.
Amazing timescales.
If every neurodiverse family had a ‘Kelly’ we would rule the world!
Thanks Headstuff for everything you do.
I just wanted to pass on a review of Kelly’s services that she provided to me and my daughter a few weeks back. Having Kelly listening to us and providing support and guidance to us is something I’ve been searching for, for so long.
She was extremely professional and knowledgeable and we couldn’t have hoped for a better service.