Reach Autism Services

Reach Autism Services Ltd provides autism assessments and post-diagnostic support in Chester. It assesses children, adolescents and adults from age 3 onwards, with a focus on autism and neurodiversity. Bookable care includes a preassessment consultation and a post-diagnostic support session.

Assessments can take place face to face at a clinic space in Chester. Fully remote online assessments may be offered for adult clients where this is suitable. Reach Autism Services states that its assessments are compliant with NICE guidelines and use a neuro-affirmative, strengths-based approach.

The assessment process may use standardised diagnostic tools where appropriate, including ADOS-2, ADI-R, RAADS, ACIA, 3Di and DIVA. The profile may consider academic skills and learning style, speech, language and communication preferences, fine and gross motor skills, emotional wellbeing and self concept, day-to-day functioning, social participation and sensory processing differences.

Joanna Reynard is the Founder and Lead Clinician. She is a Psychological Therapist and Registered Social Worker with more than 25 years’ experience across assessment and therapeutic services for children, young people and adults. Her qualifications include a BA in Psychology from the University of Newcastle, a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work from Liverpool John Moores University, and a Master’s in Counselling Children and Young People from Glyndwr University.

Her clinical work covers autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments, post-diagnostic support for families, and therapeutic support. Approaches named by the service include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centred Counselling and EMDR. Her background includes Local Authority services, NHS CAMHS and private practice.

Reach Autism Services also describes a multidisciplinary assessment approach. Assessments are completed by two diagnosticians from different professional backgrounds and reviewed by a third clinician. Clinical backgrounds named by the service include clinical psychology, social work, psychotherapy and speech and language therapy. Clinicians maintain registration with relevant professional bodies, including HCPC, the British Psychological Society, Social Work England and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, where applicable.