Our Story and Mission
NeuroPerspectives was founded with the commitment to provide a diagnostic experience that is personal, respectful, and supportive. Based in Colchester, we are passionate about validating each person's lived experiences and believe every client deserves to be truly heard, understood, and valued throughout their autism or ADHD assessment journey.
Meet Our Caring Team
Our clinical specialists are experienced, compassionate, and passionate about neurodiversity. They take the time to listen and guide you through your assessment, ensuring you feel informed, comfortable, and supported throughout the process.
Between our team members, we have over 40 years of combined experience supporting autistic and ADHD individuals across the NHS, private healthcare, educational settings, and charitable organisations. Alongside working at NeuroPerspectives, our clinicians continue to work with other organisations, supporting the delivery of high-quality autism and ADHD assessments and helping to shape best practice within neurodevelopmental services.
We are committed to delivering the highest standard of assessment, ensuring every person receives a thorough, evidence-based, and compassionate diagnostic experience.
With lived experience of neurodiversity within our team, we understand the diagnostic journey from both a professional and personal perspective, allowing us to provide an assessment experience that is empathetic, respectful, and centred around you.
Connect with us to learn more or book your assessment.
Dr Allison Ritchie
Co-founder and Director of NeuroPerspectives
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Vicki Thornburrow
Co-founder and Director of NeuroPerspectives
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist.
Courtenay Panton
Co-founder and Director of NeuroPerspectives
Client Coordinator
Hi, I'm Allison, Co-Founder and Director at NeuroPerspectives.
I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working across mental health, paediatric, and neurodevelopmental services in both South Africa and the UK.
Since relocating to the UK in 1999, I have specialised in supporting children, adolescents, and adults through diagnostic autism and ADHD assessments, alongside providing therapeutic support for a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental needs. I have worked within paediatric services, CAMHS, and specialist diagnostic teams, including as Senior Clinical Psychologist within Autism Anglia's Diagnostic Service.
I have extensive experience undertaking multidisciplinary autism and ADHD assessments and am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based, person-centred care that supports individuals and families throughout their diagnostic journey.
I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Narrative Therapy, using an integrative and neuroaffirming approach tailored to each individual's needs.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in the countryside, swimming, reading, attempting to revive my collection of houseplants, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.
Hi, I'm Courtenay, Co-Founder, Director and Client Coordinator at NeuroPerspectives.
With over 10 years of experience supporting autistic and ADHD individuals and their families, I am passionate about making the diagnostic journey supportive, reassuring, and person-centred. As someone who is both autistic and has ADHD, I combine professional knowledge with lived experience to help people feel understood from our very first conversation.
I am currently training as a counsellor and ADHD coach, further developing my skills to support individuals beyond assessment. I am passionate about empowering people to better understand themselves, recognise their unique strengths, and feel confident in embracing their neurodiversity.
Hi, I'm Vicki, Co-Founder and Director at NeuroPerspectives.
I am a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, having graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett University) in 2011.
Since qualifying, I have worked across the NHS, private, and charity sectors, supporting children and adults with a wide range of neurodevelopmental differences. I specialise in multidisciplinary autism and ADHD assessments and currently assess and diagnose children aged 7 years and above, as well as adults. I am trained in the ADOS-2, ADI-R, DIVA-5, and ACE ADHD assessments.
My specialist area of interest is the presentation of autism and ADHD in females, particularly recognising presentations that may be more subtle or masked.
As someone who is neurodivergent myself, I combine professional expertise with lived experience to provide compassionate, person-centred assessments. I am registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
When I'm not working, you'll usually find me out walking in nature, swimming, horse riding, or enjoying a good gaming session on my PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. I value the balance of spending time outdoors alongside embracing my love of gaming, both of which help me relax and recharge.
Jenny Jackson
Facilitator and Advisor
Hannah Midwinter
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Hi, I'm Hannah, Speech and Language Therapist at NeuroPerspectives.
I graduated as a Speech and Language Therapist with distinction in 2009 and have worked across a wide range of settings throughout my career, including the NHS, schools, charities, and private practice.
I am a warm, passionate, and highly experienced clinician with a long-standing specialism in supporting autistic people and their families. As a trained and experienced autism assessor, my work in recent years has focused exclusively on autism and ADHD assessments. I am trained and experienced in the ADOS-2, ADI-R and DIVA-5 assessments.
Alongside my role at NeuroPerspectives, I also work within diagnostic services for a Right to Choose provider and provide clinical supervision to junior colleagues, supporting their professional development and helping to maintain high standards of clinical practice.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my energetic family and labrador Rosie, connecting with friends, adventures in my camper van and getting lost in a good book!
Hi, I'm Jenny, Neurodiversity Trainer and Group Facilitator.
I have extensive experience in autism and ADHD diagnostic services, both professionally as a manager and through my family's lived experience. I hold qualifications in facilitation, safeguarding and Advanced SEND Law and have worked as a Senior Autism Advisor, Independent Supporter, and Youth Worker. Prior to this, I held senior management roles within government.
I am passionate about taking a person-centred approach and understand the importance of providing compassionate support throughout every stage of the diagnostic journey, from pre-assessment through to post-diagnostic support.
In my spare time I take an active role in local village events, and I like walking the family dog and going to the beach. I also enjoy watching live music.
Ready to begin your assessment journey?
If you would like to book an assessment with our experienced team, simply click the button to get started.