Specialist Neuro-Affirming Assessment & Therapy Service

Based in Kent, Supporting Children, Young People and Adults Nationwide

Make a Referral Here

How can we help?

Lycali provides neuro-affirming assessments, speech and language therapy, psychoeducation and post-diagnostic support for children, young people and adults.

Most requested

ADHD Assessment

Explore attention, impulsivity, executive functioning and organisation.

 Most requested

Autism Assessment

Neuro-affirming autism assessments using recognised clinical tools and developmental history.

Dyslexia Assessment

Explore literacy, processing and learning differences.

Speech & Language Therapy

Support with communication, language, speech sounds and functional communication needs.

Psychoeducation

Post-diagnostic support to understand your profile and build practical next steps.

Resources & Guides

Helpful information for individuals, parents, carers and professionals.
The Lycali approach

Support that feels clear, calm and compassionate

Our assessments are designed to be thorough, meaningful and useful beyond diagnosis.

Clinical quality

Evidence-informed assessment with clear recommendations.

Neuro-affirming

We recognise strengths, masking, complexity and individual differences.

Support after diagnosis

Practical guidance, psychoeducation and next steps after assessment.

Free online screenings

Not sure where to start?

Complete a free screening questionnaire to explore whether a full assessment may be beneficial.

ADHD Screening Adult Autism Screening Child Autism Screening Teen Autism Screening Dyslexia Screening Irlen Syndrome Screening

Ready to take the next step?

Contact Lycali to discuss assessment, therapy or post-diagnostic support.

Contact Lycali

Why Choose Lycali

Specialist neurodevelopmental assessments and support, delivered with a clear, structured and neuro-affirming approach.

Assessment & Services

  • Private Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia & Irlen Syndrome assessments
  • Speech and Language Therapy and post-diagnostic support
  • Free screening questionnaires to help guide next steps

Clinical Quality

  • Evidence-based, NICE-aligned and SASC-aligned assessments
  • Reports accepted by many NHS services, Local Authorities, schools, universities and employers
  • Clear recommendations with practical next steps

Neuro-Affirming Approach

  • Support for female, complex and “borderline” presentations
  • Person-centred and neuro-affirming model
  • Tailored pathways based on individual needs

Collaborative Support

  • Working alongside families, schools and Local Authorities
  • Multidisciplinary input where appropriate
  • Ongoing support beyond diagnosis

Qualified Clinicians

  • Delivered by fully qualified, experienced professionals
  • HCPC, NMC, SWE and BACP registered clinicians
  • Assessment Practising Certificate where required

Not sure where to start?

Complete a free screening questionnaire or contact our team — we’ll guide you to the right pathway.

30-Minute Specialist Guidance Session

Not Sure What Support You Need?

Speak with a specialist clinician to discuss your needs, ask questions and gain clarity on the most appropriate next step.

What can an advisory session help with?

  • Guidance following an Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia or DLD diagnosis
  • Signposting to trusted local and national services
  • Practical recommendations tailored to your situation
  • Understanding post-diagnostic support options
  • Exploring how Lycali may be able to help

This session is ideal if you are:

  • A parent or carer unsure where to begin
  • An adult seeking clarity after diagnosis
  • Exploring assessment or therapy options
  • Looking for practical next steps
  • Unsure which service is right for you

A supportive conversation designed to provide clarity, reassurance and direction.

Book Your Session

Why we’re not a Right to Choose provider

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Make a referral

  • The fees outlined are an accurate guide, but can vary depending on the service required. Please contact us for an individualised quotation.

    *When applicable, we can provide means-tested discounts. If you're experiencing financial difficulties, please inform us, and we'll assess whether we can assist in covering part of the service expenses.

  • We accept payments via BACS Transfer.

  • We accept credit and debit card payments via Stripe for your convenience.

    Please note that card payments are subject to a 2.99% processing fee, which will be added to the invoice total to cover transaction costs.

    All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a trusted global payment provider.

  • For assessment services, we offer the option to pay in two instalments. The total fee can be split into two payments of 50%:

    • 50% is payable at the time of booking to secure your assessment appointment.

    • The remaining 50% is due upon completion of the assessment, prior to the release of the final report.

    There is no additional fee if paying via BACS.

    Please note that any applicable card or Buy Now, Pay Later processing fees will be added if these payment methods are used.

  • 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.

  • We are pleased to offer flexible payment options to make accessing our services easier. Clients can choose to pay via Klarna or PayPal “Buy Now, Pay Later”, subject to approval by the payment provider.

    Please note that payments made using Klarna or PayPal Pay Later will incur an additional 4.99% processing fee, which will be added to the invoice total to cover transaction costs.

    Availability of these payment options is subject to eligibility and approval by Klarna or PayPal, and we are unable to influence or guarantee approval decisions.

Our Payment Options

Fees

Meet Stephanie

Stephanie Connolly

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Founder & Clinical Director

Lycali was founded to create a service where individuals and families feel genuinely heard, supported and understood.

The name Lycali was inspired by Stephanie’s children and the belief that no two people are the same. Each person deserves to be understood as an individual, with support that recognises their strengths, needs and unique way of experiencing the world.

Stephanie recognised that many people seeking neurodevelopmental assessments or therapeutic support face long waiting times, unclear pathways and limited guidance. Lycali was created to offer a more responsive, compassionate and clinically robust alternative.

Under Stephanie’s leadership, Lycali has grown into a trusted multidisciplinary team supporting children, young people and adults across Kent and nationwide.

Stephanie Connolly Founder & Clinical Director
A woman with long brown hair writing in a notebook at a desk, with books and a computer in the background.

Reviews

  • Five teal-colored five-pointed stars arranged in a horizontal line.

    "Lycali provided a thorough and compassionate autism assessment. Everything was explained clearly, and I finally feel understood. I wish I’d done this sooner."

  • Five blue stars in a row

    "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."

  • Five teal-colored five-pointed stars in a horizontal row.

    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

  • Five blue five-pointed stars aligned horizontally.

    “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.”

  • Five blue five-pointed stars arranged horizontally

    “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!”

  • Five blue stars aligned horizontally in a row.

    “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.”

  • Five blue five-point stars aligned horizontally.

    "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."

  • Five teal stars arranged in a horizontal row.

    “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.”

  • “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.”

  • "Heidi was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She gave our son room to explore and enjoyable targets".

  • Five blue stars aligned horizontally on a black background.

    "Heidi was very patient with my child and has made him confident to use his voice"

  • Five teal five-pointed stars in a horizontal row.

    "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".

  • Five blue five-pointed stars aligned horizontally.

    "The ADHD assessment process was seamless, evidence-based, and respectful. I felt listened to throughout, and the diagnosis has helped me finally understand myself."

  • Five blue stars in a row.

    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.

  •  

    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.

  • Five blue stars arranged in a row.

    "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."

  • Five blue stars arranged in a horizontal line.

    "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."

  • Five teal stars with a five-star rating underneath.

    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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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

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Want to find out more?

Contact us
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Lycali office
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Lycali office
Linked Communication Speech & Language Assessment Room for children
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Because Every Individual Deserves to Be Understood

Contact Us

Not sure where to start? We’ll guide you.

Complete the form below and our team will help direct you to the most appropriate assessment, therapy or support pathway.

Clear Next Steps

We’ll review your enquiry and guide you towards the most suitable service.

Supportive Approach

You do not need to know exactly what you need before contacting us.

Confidential Enquiry

Your information is handled sensitively and only used to respond to your enquiry.

For urgent safeguarding or medical concerns, please contact emergency services, NHS 111, your GP or local crisis support.

info@lycali.co.uk

01843 264 170

Kent Innovation Centre, Broadstairs, CT10 2QQ

Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: By Appointment