✨ RMC Approach :
Rainbow Mandala Clinic (RMC) offers neurodiversity-affirming ADHD assessments that respect each person’s identity, communication style and lived experience.
Our approach recognises individual strengths alongside the challenges that may lead someone to seek assessment and support.
We allow up to three hours for an assessment of previously undiagnosed ADHD, with appointments typically lasting approximately two and a half hours. This provides time for a relaxed, structured conversation in which you can share your experiences, reflect on your history and ask questions.
We recognise that people communicate, process information and express themselves in different ways. You are welcome to move, change position or take a comfort break during your assessment. We encourage you to discuss any adjustments that would help you feel more comfortable and supported.
✨ Space to be yourself
Some people have spent years masking or camouflaging their differences to meet social expectations. At RMC, we aim to create an environment in which you feel comfortable expressing yourself naturally, at your own pace.
There is no expectation that you must be able to identify or immediately let go of masking. Our clinicians are interested in understanding your internal experience, including the effort involved in managing everyday demands, even when those difficulties are not apparent to others.
✨Understanding masking and camouflaging
The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-report questionnaire that explores strategies used to compensate for, mask or adapt autistic characteristics in social situations. It was developed and evaluated with autistic and non-autistic adults. It can help inform a conversation about camouflaging, but it does not diagnose autism or ADHD. (link.springer.com)
If you would like to explore this further, the Embrace Autism CAT-Q webpage provides information and an online questionnaire with an automatically calculated total score. A high score does not, by itself, establish that someone is autistic; results need to be understood alongside developmental history and broader clinical assessment. (embrace-autism.com)
✨An individual approach to assessment and care
Our assessment approach considers the whole person, including attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory experiences, relationships and everyday functioning. Where autism or other neurodevelopmental differences may be relevant, we explore these within the assessment and discuss whether further assessment or support would be helpful.
We recognise that each person’s needs and responses to treatment are individual. Where medication is appropriate, decisions are collaborative, with attention to benefits, side effects and the person’s priorities.
✨What neurodiversity-affirming means to us
At RMC, we recognise neurological diversity as part of human variation. We respect different ways of thinking, learning, communicating and experiencing the world, while acknowledging that neurodevelopmental conditions can involve substantial difficulties and disability.
Our approach includes recognising strengths, respecting identity, adapting communication and reducing barriers to participation. This is compatible with careful diagnostic assessment, evidence-based treatment and practical support.
We draw on the social model of disability to consider how environments, expectations and attitudes can create barriers. Alongside this, we recognise each person’s clinical needs and right to access care.
Our goal is to help you understand your experiences and access support that improves your wellbeing and everyday life, while respecting who you are.
