Meet The Team
Every assessment at Spectrum Assessments is carried out by an experienced, HCPC-registered clinician who specialises in autism assessment for children, young people and adults. Our multidisciplinary team brings together speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists and an occupational therapist, with many years of combined experience across NHS and private services.
All of our clinicians are trained in gold-standard diagnostic tools, including the ADOS-2 and ADI-R, and our assessments follow NICE guidance and recognised diagnostic criteria. Just as importantly, we take a clear, compassionate and neuroaffirming approach at every stage, so you and your family feel understood, supported and confident about the next steps.
Helena Fenton
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
After graduating with a First Class Honours degree with Clinical Distinction in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of Reading, Helena has worked across NHS services and the private sector. Helena has specialised in the assessment of autism across the lifespan. She has worked in the field for over 10 years, including managing multi-disciplinary assessment teams and training and supervising autism assessors.
She is trained in using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) and the Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA), amongst other neurodivergent diagnostic tools. Her approach combines in-depth clinical expertise with a commitment to clear, compassionate, neuroaffirming communication.
- ADOS-2
- ADI-R
- ACIA
Christine McConnell
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Christine is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who qualified from the University of Ulster in 2004. Since then, Christine has gained extensive experience working with children, young people and adults with a range of communication needs, including children with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, and specialises in the assessment of autism spectrum disorder.
Christine has worked within multi-disciplinary teams in the NHS and in private care. She is trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R).
- ADOS-2
- ADI-R
Dr Duncan Harris
Clinical Psychologist
Duncan supports people to understand their autistic experience, so they can feel the self-confidence to live the life they want and feel empowered to access support. Since qualifying as a chartered clinical psychologist in 2016, he has supported clients with diagnostic assessments and with therapeutic support afterwards, whether they receive a diagnosis of autism or have it ruled out. He is experienced in using both the DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for autism.
Duncan is trained to use several gold-standard assessment tools, including the ADOS-2 and ADI-R. He also uses the ACIA, a useful interview for adults (and partners) to complete when a parent or caregiver is not available for interview. He has been the clinical lead for a supported living service providing person-centred living for autistic adults, and currently works as a lead assessor within a range of autism diagnostic services for adults and children referred through private and NHS routes. Duncan is also an expert witness for the family courts, providing assessments for children and adults suspected to live with different kinds of neurodivergence.
- ADOS-2
- ADI-R
- ACIA
- DSM-5 and ICD-11
Dr Tamsin Williams
Clinical Psychologist
Since qualifying as a clinical psychologist in 2017, Tamsin has worked in both NHS and private healthcare settings, offering assessments and psychological support interventions for children and young people with autism, and their families. She has extensive experience in autism assessment and diagnosis.
Tamsin is trained in the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised) standardised assessment tools. She also draws on her experience and clinical skills to adapt autism assessments to meet individual needs, while adhering to DSM-5 and NICE guidance on autism assessment and diagnosis. Before completing her training as a clinical psychologist, Tamsin worked as an assistant clinical psychologist within the NHS and completed a PhD in neuro and cognitive psychology.
- ADOS-2
- ADI-R
- DSM-5 and NICE guidance
Lauren Taylor
Occupational Therapist
Lauren is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). She graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 2009 from the University of Cape Town and has been working with autistic individuals for over a decade, across the lifespan and with varying support needs.
She is trained and experienced in the use of gold-standard autism diagnostic tools (ADOS-2, ADI-R) and uses these alongside her clinical expertise in her current role as a specialist autism assessment practitioner, confidently formulating diagnostic decisions as part of a multidisciplinary team. Lauren's hope is to enable clients and their families to gain a better understanding of their experiences and insight into their self-identity, so individuals can focus on their strengths as well as identify and gain support in areas of difference and difficulty.
- ADOS-2
- ADI-R
- HCPC and RCOT registered