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About Us
At Youthful Minds, we help children and young people understand their needs, recognise their strengths and build confidence.
Youthful Minds specialises in autism assessments for children and young people who may struggle to access or complete a traditional assessment.
Some children find clinics or unfamiliar settings overwhelming. For example, they may experience anxiety, struggle to engage with unfamiliar adults, avoid school or find it difficult to leave home. However, every child still deserves the opportunity to feel understood.
Our team offers a flexible, compassionate and neuroaffirming approach. We take time to understand each child’s communication style, sensory needs, interests, strengths and emotional wellbeing. Instead of asking the child to fit into a standard process, we adapt the assessment to suit them.
Philosophy
Our guiding principle is “Building from Within.”
Every child has their own voice, strengths and potential. Therefore, an autism assessment should never try to change who they are. It should help families understand how the child experiences the world, what helps them feel safe and what support they may need.
First, we focus on building trust. Then, we use patience, flexibility and careful observation to help the child feel safe and comfortable. As a result, the child has a better opportunity to communicate and engage in a way that works for them.
Families also play an important role. Together, we build a clear picture of the child’s experiences at home, in education and in everyday life.
Our Motivation
Professional Standards
Registered professionals lead Youthful Minds and maintain safe, ethical and high-quality practice.
We follow recognised best practice, including NICE guidance. In addition, our clinicians approach every assessment with care, respect and clinical integrity.
This commitment helps families feel confident in the quality of our autism assessment service.
Who We Support
Youthful Minds supports children and young people who may:
- Find it difficult to engage with unfamiliar professionals
- Experience social anxiety or high levels of distress
- Struggle to leave home
- Find school overwhelming or struggle to attend
- Have communication differences or selective or situational mutism
- Need more time, flexibility or a familiar environment
- Have received an inconclusive assessment in the past
- Find traditional clinic-based assessments inaccessible
Because every child is different, we plan each assessment around their individual needs.
Our Aim
Our aim is to help families develop a clear and meaningful understanding of their child.
Through a child-centred and neuroaffirming assessment, children and young people can feel understood, respected and supported. Families also receive clear information and practical recommendations for home, education and everyday life.
Ultimately, we want every family to leave the assessment process with greater clarity and confidence about the way forward.
At Youthful Minds we work to offer wrap-around care for children and families
Ongoing Projects
As part of our ongoing development, we are working to improve access to research-based resources and training. We are proud to be launching www.iamautistic.co.uk and www.neurodivergentresources.co.uk, where we will continue to add new, engaging and informative content.
