Here are some key clinical categories which indicate the similarities and differences of the relevant clinical roles...

• A Clinical psychologist carries out psychological assessments and data-gathering to arrive at a diagnosis for neurological conditions such as ADHD/ADD, OCD or Autism (ASD). A clinical, practising psychologist who is trained in psychotherapy can also deliver psychotherapy sessions. But they are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication.

• A psychiatrist, or a paediatrician who specialises in the field of developmental and behavioural traits linked to neurological disorders, can assess and prescribe medication. They are not psychotherapists so they don’t deliver psychotherapy or counselling.

• A psychotherapist facilitates sessions beginning with an Initial Assessment with the parent/guardian. A child and adolescent psychotherapist’s skill-set includes the ability to recognise traits associated with neurological conditions, alongside other issues. They can do a diagnostic hypothesis and make a referral based on their observations. Additionally, if the potential condition has not been recognised by the child’s parents or school staff, then parents can make informed choices about seeking a formal psychological assessment which the therapist has flagged up.

• An Educational Psychologist specialises in the analysis of cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics in an educational setting. They do this by carrying out assessments with the student. For example, they can diagnose dyslexia and dyscalculia if they are specialised in these areas. They work through others such as making recommendations to the Special Educational Needs (SEN) staff, teachers and parents, identifying the type of support they think will benefit the student, including social adjustments.

The label is not the child

A word about children or adolescents who have been diagnosed with a neurological condition such as Autism, it is important to be mindful of communicating to them that they are not a label. They are a whole being.

In my experience, delivering psychotherapy and counselling has shown to be effective in helping the child or young person in the areas of concern. These areas may include building self-esteem, improving social awareness and social skills, controlling anger, working through anxiety and depressive states and helping them come to terms with the challenges they face in empowering ways. Understanding nuances tends to be a big challenge but social stories can be helpful. The latter could be facilitated by an assigned Special Educational Needs (SEN) person at the child’s school.

What about the Family Doctor?

In cases of neurological traits, I recommend making an appointment with the family doctor. GP’s can make referrals for clinical assessments in a CAMHS team (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) at the NHS and set things in motion.