About us
Our goal
To present Autism and ADHD as a psychology rather than a set of behaviours. To support and advocate for neuro divergent individuals and groups.
Who are we
David Reiser BSc (Hons) Speech Therapy PGDip Autism
I qualified in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Speech Therapy and I have a post graduate diploma in autism from Manchester Metropolitan University. I am registered with The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (Reg: RC0007641), The Health and Care Professions Council (Reg: SL15223) and The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (Reg: 2065). I have enhanced DBS to work with children and vulnerable adults, I am registered with the DBS Update Service so my status can be checked at any time.
I am a professional member of the National Autistic Society and accredited by The Society (Lorna Wing Centre) to perform autism diagnoses using the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO). I am qualified to use The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - 2 (ADOS-2) and The Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R) and have completed post graduate training at Manchester Metropolitan University in paediatric dysphagia. In the past I was an ELKLAN, ICAN and Hanen tutor delivering a wide variety of training in education settings and with parents. I was a founding trustee of the Autism Inclusive Charity in Crewe Cheshire.
I have worked in paediatrics since 2004 in private homes, clinics, early years settings, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools. I started independent practice in 2012 specialising in speech, language and communication assessment, therapy and training in educational settings and additionally, autism diagnosis and advocacy for both adults and children. I have performed over 6500 neurodevelopmental assessments for all ages, independently and with other professionals, including NHS paediatricians, psychologists and psychiatrists.
In recent years most of my work has been with the neurodevelopmental multi-disciplinary team at Axia-ASD Ltd in Chester, Winner of National Autistic Society ‘Best Health Service’ award 2018, featured in The UK Parliamentary Review Highlighting Best Practise 2019 and in 2023, winner of the Anna Kennedy Autism Hero Award for the Axia Post-Diagnostic Support Group.
I am employed by solicitors, private individuals and local authorities as an expert witness for medico-legal work. I am the author of a report for The Welsh Assembly on parents’ experiences of services for their autistic children and I acted as an external course assessor for a new masters degree in Autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions run by Professor Digby Tantum at The New School for Psychotherapy and Counselling.
Adam Kirkpatrick MA Sociology, BA (Hons) Coaching and sport development
After previously playing football for Stoke City reserves and Republic of Ireland at youth level I completed a BA (Hons) in Coaching and Sport Development. I then went on to complete an MA in The Sociology of Sport. During my studies I worked as a Youth Coach at Stoke City Football Club before setting up Discover Social Skills, which is a programme that supports neurodiverse people in various settings.
I provide social skills groups for neurodiverse pupils in primary schools, secondary schools and privately which aim to promote the strengths of Autism and ADHD, helping pupils understand their abilities in a new and positive way that supports their self-esteem. The group activities are based on pupil shared interests to promote engagement, social cohesion and interaction. These groups are managed in a way so as to minimise any triggers in the environment to reduce anxiety and to enable the participants to be their authentic selves. The goal of these social groups is for neurodiverse people to better understand their strengths and sensitivities in a safe environment. Discover Social Skills also provides support on a 1:1 basis for neuro-diverse adults helping with life skills, understanding their strengths and better understanding the non-autistic social world around them. I also provide home support for parents, including advice on how to embed reasonable adjustments at school.