Clarity Manchester was set up in 2014 by Dr Kate Leonard, Clinical Psychologist, in order to be able to offer diagnostic assessment for autism spectrum disorders. She completed her professional training in 2007 and has since completed additional training in gold-standard diagnostic tools - Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication disorder and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. She was clinical lead for an NHS adult diagnostic assessment service for 12 years before leaving in 2023 to focus on developing Clarity Manchester. Clarity Manchester has a number of other associates who provide assessments who have extensive experience in assessing and diagnosing autism. We are all registered practitioners with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Assessments can take place face to face in therapy rooms in Sale, Chorlton or Gatley, however we are also able to conduct assessments online. After the assessment, Dr Leonard typically meets with the individual to provide feedback about whether they meet diagnostic criteria. Assessment sessions are arranged at a mutually convenient time, and evening and Saturday morning appointments can also be accommodated on request. 

We have a lot of experience in recognising the differences in how autistic women can present differently to autistic men and we see lots of females in our service, many of whom go on to get a diagnosis.

Diagnostic criteria refer to social and communication difficulties, as well as a preference for sameness, strong interests and sensory sensitivities. As autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, these differences would have been present since childhood. Diagnostic criteria refer to these as ‘impairments’ and ‘deficits’ however there is increased recognition of the strengths that the autistic brain and neurodiversity can have. Our assessments also aim to recognise the strengths of the autistic brain in order to promote self-acceptance. As these difficulties exist on a spectrum, there is a lot of variety amongst people with ASD.

Assessment procedure: Assessment would typically involve 2 sessions. This would consist of general information gathering and administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Ideally this would also include a meeting with someone who is able to give information about your early development, usually a parent. In cases where it is not possible to speak to someone who knew you well when you were growing, we can usually work around this by asking about your memories of childhood and speaking to someone who knows you well now, like a partner or close friend.

We are now able to offer various options for post-diagnostic support and have Autism consultants who have lived experience to co-produce and co-facilitate this. Please enquire if you would like further details about any of the above.