Specialist Neuro-Affirming Assessment & Therapy Service
Based in Kent, Supporting Children, Young People and Adults Nationwide
A Supportive & Integrated Pathway from Assessment to Ongoing Support
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Getting started with Lycali is simple. You can contact our team by phone, email, or through our website enquiry form. We will discuss your concerns, answer any questions, and help you decide whether an assessment or support service may be appropriate. If you are unsure what type of support is needed, our team will guide you through the options and explain the next steps.
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Before the assessment, we gather important background information to help our clinicians understand the individual’s experiences. You will be asked to complete a number of screening questionnaires covering areas such as attention, social communication, emotional wellbeing, and daily functioning. An informant questionnaire is also completed by someone who knows the individual well (for example a parent, partner, or close family member). For children, a questionnaire may also be shared with their school where appropriate.
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A specialist clinician(s) will conduct a comprehensive assessment exploring current experiences, developmental history, and how difficulties may impact everyday life. The assessment may include structured diagnostic interviews, clinical observation, and discussion of the information provided in the questionnaires. Assessments can take place either in person at our clinic or online where clinically appropriate. Our clinicians take the time to ensure individuals feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.
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Following the assessment, you will have a feedback appointment with the lead clinician. During this session, the findings of the assessment are discussed in detail, including whether diagnostic criteria have been met where applicable. This is an opportunity to ask questions, gain a deeper understanding of the individual’s profile of strengths and challenges, and explore recommendations for support moving forward.
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After the feedback appointment, you will receive a comprehensive written report. This report outlines the assessment process, information gathered, diagnostic conclusions where relevant, and practical recommendations for home, school, or workplace support. Our reports are designed to provide clear guidance and can be shared with professionals such as schools, GPs, or other support services where helpful.
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For many individuals and families, assessment is only the beginning of the journey.
Lycali offers a range of follow-up support options, including:
Workplace and Functional Needs Assessment
We aim to provide practical strategies and guidance to help individuals better understand their neurodivergence and thrive in everyday life.
Complete a FREE Screening Questionnaire to find out whether an assessment is right for you
We work closely with local authorities, NHS trusts, schools, and families to provide gold-standard assessments and evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs, including expert support.
We also pride ourselves on extensive experience and in providing advice, assessment and support for individuals with a subtle or borderline neurodivergent presentation.
Our Assessments are conducted by highly experienced professionals and are fully NICE compliant, recognised by the NHS, local authorities, schools and employers.
Our Assessment Services
Our Post-diagnosis & Therapy Services
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Our priority is delivering gold-standard, neuro-affirming Autism and ADHD assessments with the highest level of clinical quality. We know many families and adults consider the NHS Right to Choose pathway, so we want to clearly explain why we choose not to operate under this system and how this benefits the people we support.
Our decision is rooted in ensuring fast turnaround times, compliance, and neuroaffirmative high-quality care.
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While NHS Right to Choose can be helpful, waiting times are often long — commonly 6–18 months, depending on location and service capacity.
By remaining independent, Lycali offers:
Shorter waiting times (often weeks, not months)
Flexible appointment options
Direct self-referral, with no GP referral required
This means quicker answers and earlier access to meaningful support.
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All Lycali assessments follow NICE guidance and use validated tools such as:
ADOS-2
ADI-R
DIVA-5 / Young DIVA
ACE / ACE+
We allow the time needed for thorough, multidisciplinary assessment, so clients feel listened to — not rushed.
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Because our assessments meet NHS-equivalent clinical standards, Lycali reports are recognised by:
NHS and GP services
Schools and SENCO teams
Local authorities (including EHCP processes)
Employers and workplace adjustments teams
Your assessment is designed to travel with you and support you across settings.
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All assessments at Lycali are delivered by fully qualified, registered clinicians, including:
HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists
GMC-registered Paediatricians
HCPC-registered Speech & Language Therapists or Occupational Therapists
We do not use trainees or non-clinical staff to carry out diagnostic assessments. This ensures clinical integrity, consistency, and reports that stand up to educational, medical, and legal scrutiny.
Why we’re not a Right to Choose provider
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We accept payments via BACS Transfer.
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Debit and credit card payments. However, please note that a card fee will apply.
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With assessments, we offer payments in 2 instalments. One at the time of booking and one at assessment completion.
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If your assessment or therapy expenses are set to be covered by your private medical insurance, kindly provide us with your insurer details for seamless payment coordination between you and your insurance provider. Our affiliation encompasses registration with Aviva, AXA, BUPA and Vitality Health, facilitating a streamlined process for your convenience.
Our Payment Options
Not sure what service you need? Book a 30-minute advisory session with a specialist clinician
What can an advisory session help with?
Clear explanations and guidance following a recent diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD, or Developmental Language Disorder.
Signposting to trusted local and national services.
Personalised recommendations and practical strategies tailored to you.
Information about post-diagnostic services and next steps.
Insight into how Lycali can support you moving forward.
Whether you're a parent, carer, or individual seeking clarity, this session is designed to empower and support you.
Ready to get started?
Book your session today and take the first step toward confident, informed support.
About Lycali
Lycali was founded by Stephanie Connolly, with the vision of creating a service where individuals and families feel genuinely heard, supported, and understood. Stephanie recognised that many people seeking neurodevelopmental assessments or therapeutic support often face long waiting times and limited guidance, leaving them unsure where to turn. Lycali was created to offer a more responsive, compassionate, and clinically robust alternative.
At Lycali, we take pride in providing high-quality, professional care in a welcoming and supportive environment. Our specialist team takes the time to understand each individual’s experiences, ensuring assessments and therapeutic support are thoughtful, thorough, and tailored to the person’s needs.
We believe that support should not end with a diagnosis. Our clinicians provide clear guidance, practical strategies, and ongoing support, helping individuals and families understand what a diagnosis means and how best to move forward.
Under Stephanie’s leadership, Lycali has developed a trusted multidisciplinary team of experienced clinicians, working together to deliver evidence-based assessments and therapy for both children and adults.
Based in Thanet, Kent, we support individuals locally and across the UK through both in-person and online appointments, making high-quality specialist support more accessible.
At the heart of Lycali is a simple commitment: to provide expert care with time, understanding, and integrity.
Reviews
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"Lycali provided a thorough and compassionate autism assessment. Everything was explained clearly, and I finally feel understood. I wish I’d done this sooner."
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"I’ve worked with other services before, but Lycali stands out for their professionalism and empathy. My therapist helped me navigate some really difficult times with sensitivity and skill."
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I just wanted to say thank you to Dr Isobel Robb and Stephanie for making the assessment comfortable for both me and my parents to conduct. It was very thorough and the outcome will definitely help me in my future. I'm really thankful for receiving the results so quickly
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“Thank you so much for all your help, support and care. You have explained everything we needed and thank you for saying I can get in touch if we need any more help.”
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“You were very patient with our son and always gave us ideas so that we could support him between therapy sessions. Thank you so much!”
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“After our daughter's Speech and language assessment, you offered great feedback and your report was very detailed. This was a huge help towards the EHCP process.”
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"My daughter’s speech has improved so much in just a few months. Our speech therapist at Lycali was kind, engaging, and always kept us involved with providing follow up activities. I highly recommend them."
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“Heidi was very engaging and really listened to the needs of my son. She explained her methods and gave us tips to try at home. We are really pleased with the service.”
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“The calls have helped me to find more space and given me a safe space to discuss and release emotions. Tim's nature and communication is comforting and supportive, he adds thoughts and questions which offer space to analyse and to help growth.”
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"Heidi was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She gave our son room to explore and enjoyable targets".
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"Heidi was very patient with my child and has made him confident to use his voice"
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"I can’t thank you enough for your help and support with my son. I will most certainly be coming back to your services again for an autism assessment".
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"The ADHD assessment process was seamless, evidence-based, and respectful. I felt listened to throughout, and the diagnosis has helped me finally understand myself."
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Everything has been amazing so thanks to you, Isobel and Stephanie. You have made things really easy with clear and quick communication and they really created a safe environment instantly.
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Thank you so much. It was a pleasure working with your staff. They were really kind and helpful and made the process easier for both me and Matilda.
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"We had a brilliant experience with Lycali. The assessment process was clear, kind, and professional from start to finish. My son felt at ease, and we finally have a clear plan for supporting his needs."
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"I was nervous about starting therapy, but the team at Lycali made me feel heard and respected from day one. Their care was outstanding, and the progress I’ve made is life-changing."
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The psychoeducation sessions at Lycali were incredibly helpful for our family. After our child’s autism diagnosis, we felt overwhelmed and unsure what it all meant for daily life. The sessions explained everything clearly and helped us understand our child’s strengths as well as their differences. We left feeling more confident.
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Our Expertise
We are a growing team of specialists based in Thanet on the South East Coast with experience working with children and adults. Our team includes speech and language therapy, sleep consultancy, social work, psychotherapy, clinical psychology and transformative life coaching.
To effectively communicate we must realise that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others
Want to find out more?
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Because Every Individual Deserves to Be Understood
Contact us/ Make a new referral
Our admin team will liaise with you to answer any general queries, make a new referral, organise a specialist consultation, and confirm assessments and/or therapy appointments.
01843 264 170
Kent Innovation Centre, Broadstairs, CT10 2QQ
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: By Appointment