AYC Psychology Assessment Services

24/03/2026

Parents often tell us: “School say they’re fine” but at home we see meltdowns.
Exhaustion. Anger. Complete shutdown.

This doesn’t mean a child is “choosing” to behave differently.
It often means they’ve used everything they have just to get through the school day.

What you see at home is not the problem. It’s the release.

Supporting your child, reducing pressure and having open conversations with school can make a huge difference.

This is not about children learning to cope with more or normalising the struggle. Over time, this level of effort takes a real toll.

Every child copes differently and what looks like “fine” in one environment may be costing them far more than we realise. It’s about helping them feel safe enough that they don’t have to work so hard just to hold it together.

When parents, schools and professionals work together to understand where a child is struggling, we can create the right support around them leading to more positive, sustainable outcomes.

23/03/2026

What is the point of a behaviour policy if it makes learning harder?

At AYC, we meet so many schools doing incredible work, but we also regularly see children being:
• Punished for not concentrating
• Told off for fidgeting or self-regulating
• Expected to sit still when their body is telling them to move

Recently we met:
– A quiet, compliant pupil with ADHD being sanctioned for “not concentrating”
– A hardworking child brought to tears for twiddling her hair
– An autistic pupil not allowed to wear a coat that helped him regulate

None of these children were disruptive. They were trying to cope and we have to ask "are we measuring behaviour…or are we trying to understanding need?"

Equity in education means giving children what they need to access learning, not expecting them all to cope in the same way. Because when children feel understood, they engage...and that’s the goal!

If you’re a parent or school and this resonates, we’re always happy to help.

Whether it’s through assessment, advice or staff training, we support schools and families to better understand children’s needs and create environments where they can truly engage and thrive.

Feel free to get in touch to start the conversation.

16/03/2026

Parent Feedback:

We just received this message from a parent following an autism assessment. Shared with permission and anonymised.

“I wanted to write to express my heartfelt thanks following my daughter’s autism assessment.

Both she and I were incredibly anxious beforehand. She had been very shut down and had hardly spoken for months, so we were unsure how she would cope.

From the moment we arrived, the reassurance, calm approach and kindness shown by the team immediately put me at ease.

She had an important medical procedure the very next day and I truly believe the way she was supported during the assessment helped put her in the right headspace to go through with it.

She came into the meeting feeling completely broken and left with a spark back in her.

Since then, she has continued to come back to life. The diagnosis has genuinely set her free, giving her understanding, language and reassurance when she feels overwhelmed.

Thank you again for the incredible support you gave both of us. We will always be very grateful.”

Moments like this remind us that assessments are about far more than reports.
They are about helping people feel understood.

11/03/2026

NEW BLOG: Understanding Dyslexia: Beyond Reading Difficulties

Dyslexia is often misunderstood as simply a difficulty with reading or spelling. In reality, it is a specific learning difference that affects how individuals process written language, including reading accuracy, spelling, phonological processing, working memory and processing speed. Importantly, dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence. Many individuals with dyslexia are highly capable, creative and articulate but they may need to work harder in environments that rely heavily on written information.

Understanding Dyslexia

For children and adults alike, dyslexia can affect confidence, academic progress and everyday tasks involving reading and writing. However, with the right understanding, support and interventions, individuals with dyslexia can thrive and often demonstrate strengths in areas such as problem-solving, creativity and big-picture thinking.

In this blog, we explore what dyslexia really is, the common signs across different ages, the emotional impact it can have, and practical ways parents, educators and workplaces can provide effective support. Contact us if you would like a free copy.

10/03/2026

Supporting children and young people to be understood, supported, and empowered is at the heart of everything we do at AYC Psychology Assessment Services.

We provide comprehensive Educational Psychology assessments, ADHD screenings and autism assessments to help families, schools and professionals better understand a child’s strengths, needs and the support that will help them thrive.

Our reports are clear, detailed and may support:

✔ School support planning
✔ Understanding learning, behaviour and emotional needs
✔ EHCP applications and reviews
✔ Tribunal and legal processes

Every assessment is carried out with care, professionalism and a genuine commitment to ensuring young people feel heard and understood.

If you’re a parent, school or professional seeking guidance or assessment, we’d love to hear from you

🌐 www.aycpsychologyassessmentservices.co.uk

09/03/2026

Parent Feedback

Hearing from families about the difference an assessment can make is incredibly meaningful to our team.

This parent shared how their son’s autism assessment helped ensure their experiences were fully understood and provided a clear report that schools and professionals could use to move things forward.

Creating a thorough, supportive and collaborative assessment process is at the heart of what we do at AYC Psychology Assessment Services.

Thank you to the families who trust us with such important journeys.

06/03/2026

It’s been an incredibly busy week here at AYC, with many parents reaching out for support for children who are struggling.
If this sounds like your family right now, please know that you’re not alone. Taking the step to ask for help can feel difficult but it’s often the first and most important step toward understanding what your child needs and how best to support them.
At AYC, we’re here to listen, guide and provide thoughtful assessments that help families make sense of the challenges their children may be facing, whether that’s with learning, emotions, behaviour, or development.
To all the parents who have contacted us this week: thank you for trusting us with your stories and your children’s journeys.
If you’re worried about your child and would like to talk, you can find out more or get in touch here:
https://www.psychologyassessmentservices.co.uk/

AYC Psychology and Assessment Services are a team of experienced and highly skilled chartered child and educational psychologists in Warrington.

01/03/2026

There is nothing more powerful than hearing a young person say they finally felt listened to and understood 💛

Google review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 20 hours ago

“Absolutely fantastic service…” Following her educational psychology assessment, this 14-year-old came home feeling happy, heard and supported — and her parent shared that after years of fighting for support within school and health systems, they finally feel hopeful again.

This is exactly why we do what we do.

Huge well done to Katie and the team for the compassion, advocacy and expertise you bring to every family we support.

28/02/2026

More wonderful feedback following a recent autism assessment.
Hearing that a young person left feeling understood, supported and positive about their identity is exactly why we do this work.

27/02/2026

Hearing that a young person left their assessment feeling supported and inspired means everything to us.

At AYC, our ADHD screening assessments:

✔ Follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines
✔ Are neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based
✔ Provide clear, evidence-informed recommendations
✔ Cost £500

Whether you’re supporting a teenager, young adult, or seeking clarity for yourself, our experienced clinicians create a calm, respectful space to explore concerns about ADHD.

If you’re unsure whether screening is the right next step, we’re happy to talk it through.

Message us below or get in touch to find out more.

26/02/2026

Parents & carers

I'm sure you're aware that there are big proposed changes to how children with SEND are supported in schools and understandably, many families have questions.

We’re hearing concerns raised about:

• Whether legal protections will remain as strong
• If schools already under pressure will have the staff, training and funding to deliver meaningful support
• What this means for EHCPs
• How transitions (like primary to secondary) will be managed
• And whether support could become inconsistent between schools

For some families, this feels hopeful, a promise of earlier help and less fighting for support.
For others, it raises worries about how this will actually work in real classrooms, right now.

What are your thoughts?
Do you feel reassured, concerned, or still unsure?

Drop your questions/comments in the comments

25/02/2026