Meet the Staff

Autism Insight is a multidisciplinary team based in South Wales, specialising in autism assessments for children and adults. Our team includes experienced professionals from Occupational Therapy and Mental Health Nursing, with additional specialist input from Speech and Language Therapy and Psychology when appropriate.

Drawing on over 25 years of combined experience within specialist autism services, we take a collaborative and neuroaffirming approach to assessment. We recognise autism as a natural variation in neurodevelopment and aim to develop a meaningful understanding of each person's unique way of experiencing, communicating with, and interacting with the world.

Our assessments explore an individual's strengths, differences, experiences, and areas where support may be helpful. By bringing together perspectives from different disciplines, we provide a comprehensive and personalised assessment process that supports greater self-understanding, informed decision-making, and access to appropriate support where needed

Jodie Harries-Evans

Jodie is a Mental Health Nurse with extensive experience working within autism services, supporting individuals since 2010. She qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 2015 and has dedicated much of her career to specialist roles in autism and neurodevelopmental assessment.

In 2019, she progressed into a specialist Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) practitioner role, where she focuses on conducting comprehensive autism assessments and supporting autistic adults. She brings a thoughtful, person-centred approach to her work, with an emphasis on understanding each individual’s unique experiences, strengths, and support needs.

She is also a qualified Non-Medical Prescriber with a specialist interest in ADHD. She is trained and experienced in undertaking ADHD assessments using recognised tools, including the DIVA-5 and ACE+, alongside her autism assessment training.

Her diagnostic expertise includes a range of established assessment tools such as the ADOS-2, ADI-R, DISCO, ACIA, ACE+, and DIVA-5, which she uses as part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and neuroaffirming assessment process.

Emily Dwyer

Emily is an Occupational Therapist with extensive experience supporting both children and adults within autism and neurodevelopmental services. Since qualifying as an Occupational Therapist, she has worked across a range of clinical settings, including physical health, paediatrics, and learning disabilities, before specialising in autism assessment and support since 2019.

She has developed particular expertise in autism diagnostic assessment, working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to support comprehensive, person-centred evaluations. Her approach focuses on understanding each individual’s sensory profile, daily living experiences, strengths, and support needs.

She is trained in a range of recognised diagnostic assessment tools, including the ADOS-2, ADI-R, DISCO, ACIA, and ACE+, which she uses as part of a holistic and neuroaffirming assessment process.

Claire Haggerty

Claire has a wealth of experience supporting both children and adults within autism and neurodevelopmental services. Since qualifying as a Speech & Language Therapist, she has worked across a range of settings, including clinics, schools, specialist units, paediatrics, and learning disabilities. She has been working in a specialist role in autism assessment and support since 2011. In 2019, she began working within specialist autism services, doing diagnostic assessments for ASD and ADHD and autism support with adults as well as children.

She has developed particular expertise in autism diagnostic assessment, working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to support comprehensive, person-centred evaluations. Her approach focuses on understanding each individual’s communication profile, daily living experiences, strengths, and support needs. She has a particular specialist interest in non-speaking/semi-speaking communication profiles and situational mutism.

She is trained in a range of recognised diagnostic assessment tools, including the ADOS-2, ADI-R, DISCO and ACE+, which she uses as part of a holistic and neuroaffirming assessment process.

What our clients say

"The assessment from start to finish was handled sensitively and thoroughly. The service provided by Jodie and Emily was second to none they were always at hand with any queries that I had regarding the assessment process as a whole nothing was too much trouble for them. The assessment was comprehensive and both Jodie and Emily showed great professionalism throughout the process, the information that I was given throughout the whole process was accurate and concise. Both my son and I felt comfortable during the assessment process andthe information provided during the post assessment visit was greatly detailed and very informative. Also the in-depth discussion that involved the family as a whole regarding the outcome of the report and the diagnosis was very informative and very thorougher. We are extremely grateful to both Jodie and Emily for providing us with an excellent service and would have no hesitation in recommending to others".

Anonymous

 

A really validating experience for my daughter. Excellent communication at all times with arranging everything. They made a real effort to get information from external services. Really took masking into consideration and the report was so sensitive and supportive. Highly recommend. Top rate professionals.

Jo