Autism Anglia's diagnosis service 'transformed' girl's life

Autism Anglia, which is based in Colchester, provides autism and ADHD assessments for children and adults across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

The charity is now expanding and relaunching its assessment service.

Leanne, whose daughter Lennon-Rose was assessed by the charity, said she would "shout from the rooftops" about the difference the charity has made to her family.

Lennon-Rose, aged nine (Image: Supplied) She said: "The support from Autism Anglia has transformed all our lives.

“The moment they contacted us was the first time we felt someone had really noticed us and wanted to help.

“We now know why Lennon behaves the way she does.

"It’s helped her understand why she struggles sometimes when other children don’t."

Autism Anglia's service has been praised by the family (Image: Supplied) Autism Anglia's expansion comes as new NHS data reveals 204,876 people were on the autism assessment waiting list in September, up 25% on last year’s figure.

Jenny Jackson, diagnostic service manager at Autism Anglia, said: “We see our role as working alongside the NHS to reduce waiting times for assessment and have shared some of our ways of working with them to help reduce the backlog.

“We are here to help people – families like Leanne’s – to get a quick, early diagnosis and to be able to access the support they need."

Autism Anglia diagnosis service 'transformed' girl's life (Image: Supplied) Autism Anglia’s diagnosis service includes a multi-disciplinary assessment, with input from speech and language therapists and clinical psychologists, alongside in-person interviews.

Following diagnosis, the charity offers tailored recommendations and follow-up sessions.

It offers diagnoses for autism at three years old and upwards and ADHD diagnoses from seven years, as well as standalone speech and language assessments and cognitive assessments.

For more information on Autism Anglia and its diagnosis services, see www.autism-anglia.org.uk.