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Neurodevelopmental Assessment

We help empower diverse thinkers

About CAN

Dedicated experts in child and adult mental health
At the Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Assessment Centre (CAN), we specialise in helping children and adults who experience the world differently. Our highly experienced team of dedicated mental health professionals bring a depth of knowledge and empathy to our practice to ensure that every individual receives the highest standard of personalised care. We are deeply committed to excellence in all we do by offering a supportive and understanding environment where trust and progress go hand in hand.

Our approach

Holistic neurodevelopmental assessment

At CAN, we recognize that neurodevelopmental conditions often overlap, creating unique challenges and needs. Our innovative approach goes beyond the traditional single-disorder focus, offering a comprehensive in-person assessment that includes ADHD, Autism, and emotional wellbeing/mental health. We believe an accurate assessment can only be completed by this holistic approach, and including a child's school within this assessment is essential.

We pride ourselves in being able to work with adults, parents, young people and schools to gain the broadest information possible. This allows us to complete an assessment using the most up-to-date standardised tools and reach confident clinical decisions using recognised diagnostic criteria (DSM-5) and the gold-standard NICE guidance.

We are committed to offering assessments that are as equal and robust as current NHS assessments and have never had one of our assessments 'rejected' by an NHS service, the local authority, or a partner school.

The extent of our experience enables us to complete the most intricate assessments including differential diagnoses, assessments with women and girls, and assessing typically complex groups such as children looked after, post-adoption support, ad children with additional learning or medical needs.

Meet the team

Our expert team of clinicians
Dr. Olutobi Oyebanjo
Profile

Dr. Olutobi Oyebanjo has been a doctor for over eighteen years. He is a highly regarded Consultant Psychiatrist who has worked in the NHS for over thirteen years. He specialises in the assessment and management of mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With a robust clinical background and a deep commitment to advancing mental health care, Dr. Oyebanjo is dedicated to providing comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and tailored treatment plans for individuals of all ages.

Dr Oyebanjo earned his medical degree from the College Of Medicine, University of Lagos, completed his postgraduate degree in International Health Management at Imperial College London and completed specialist training in psychiatry with his core psychiatry training in the London Deanery and Higher Psychiatry training in the East of England Deanery. He has an endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry and a special interest in neurodevelopmental conditions across all ages. He also commenced core training in Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy to enable him to treat patients using non-pharmacological interventions when required, which he has done with success. Throughout his career, he has cultivated a wealth of experience in paediatric and adult populations, allowing for a holistic approach to diagnosis and intervention.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr Oyebanjo is passionate about educating peers and the community on neurodevelopmental disorders, frequently participating in masterclasses with GPs, workshops and seminars.

Dr. Olutobi Oyebanjo

Consultant Psychiatrist

MBBS, MRCPsych, MSc IHM

Dr Ali Ajaz
Profile

Dr Ajaz graduated in Medicine from Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine in 2005 and completed over a decade of specialist training in Forensic Psychiatry within the NHS. Since moving into private practice as a Consultant Psychiatrist in 2020, he has worked across all areas of mental health, with a particular interest in neurodiversity.

His practice focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of brain-based symptoms, using an integrative, evidence-based approach to brain health that draws on nutritional psychiatry, gut–brain health, and functional medicine. Alongside clinical work, Dr Ajaz has a longstanding commitment to medical education and research. He worked as a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Queen Mary University for over a decade and has multiple peer-reviewed publications.

Dr Ali Ajaz

Consultant Psychiatrist

BSc, MBBS, MRCPsych, PGCert

Dr Nicola Reynolds
Profile

Dr Reynolds qualified as a Clinical Psychologist 18 years ago and has worked in CAMHS and Specialist Children's services since. She has specialised in working with children and young people with neurodivergent needs for over ten years. In her NHS role, she is the clinical lead and service manager for a neurodevelopmental service and undertake specialist assessments for ASD and ADHD. Dr Reynolds provides supervision and training to clinicians in ASD and ADHD assessments and is an accredited ADOS trainer.

Dr Nicola Reynolds

Clinical Psychologist

DClinPsy

Colleen Mitchell
Profile

Colleen has a wealth of experience as a social worker, working with children and adults (with a special focus on coaching, mental health, addiction, trauma, and neurodivergence). She brings a dynamic and well-rounded perspective to her role as an autism assessor. Over the years, she's honed a deep understanding of the complexities of mental health and how it intersects with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD. Thanks to her unique blend of life experience and clinical expertise, Colleen is able to assess and support individuals with autism in a truly holistic, person-centred way, considering both psychological and social factors.

Colleen is a passionate and approachable professional, committed to providing thorough assessments that empower individuals, drive positive outcomes, and ensure they have access to the best care and support.

Colleen absolutely loves advancing the understanding of autism and ADHD and helping people live their best, most fulfilling lives.

Let's make a difference, one assessment at a time!

Colleen Mitchell

Specialist ADHD & Autism Assessor

Kate Walker
Profile

With over 25 years of experience working with children and adults with autism and ADHD, Kate is committed to providing thorough, and compassionate, assessments that help individuals and families navigate their journey to diagnosis with confidence. Her background as a teacher gives her a unique insight into the challenges faced by children with educational and behavioural difficulties, as well as the hurdles parents and educators encounter in supporting their development. This foundation allows Kate to approach assessments with a holistic perspective, ensuring that recommendations are practical, meaningful, and tailored to each individual's needs.

Taking great pride in guiding parents and adults through the assessment process, Kate's focus is not only on diagnosis, but on offering ongoing strategies that enhance daily life. Whether it's understanding personal strengths, advocating for appropriate support in educational settings, or empowering individuals to thrive.

Kate looks forward to working with CAN clients offering sympathetic assessments and conducting school observations when necessary, ensuring that assessments are informed by real-world behaviours and environments. This approach helps to provide comprehensive evidence that supports understanding and planning for future accommodations and interventions.

Kate Walker

Autism Assessment Practitioner

Millie Fleet
Profile

As someone who is neurodiverse, Millie understands first-hand how a neurodevelopmental condition can shape not only an individual's life, but also the experiences of their loved ones. Millie joined the CAN team to support individuals and families through their assessment journey, drawing on both personal and professional experience to offer empathy, clarity, and understanding at every stage. Millie is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of ADHD, Autism, and Mental Health, and to helping create spaces where people feel seen and supported.

Millie is also proud to be a member of, and support, the Armed Forces Community.

Millie Fleet

Practice Manager

Start your journey with us

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