The Clinical Team
Our Expert Assessment Team
Our multidisciplinary team delivers professional, high-quality autism assessments to clients throughout the UK and internationally.
Professional Credentials
Our clinical team comprises fully qualified specialists from diverse professional backgrounds including: Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Psychotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy. Therefore, each team member brings extensive experience in neurodevelopmental assessment, ensuring you receive expert care throughout your assessment journey.
Professional Standards
All our clinicians maintain: Active registration with relevant professional bodies (HCPC, The British Psychological Society, Social Work England, and The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), Current ICO registration for data protection compliance and Comprehensive professional indemnity insurance.
Joanna Reynard
Founder and Lead Clinician
I am a Psychological Therapist and Registered Social Worker with over 25 years’ experience working with children, young people, and adults across assessment and therapeutic services.
I hold a BA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Newcastle, a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work from Liverpool John Moores University, and a Master’s in Counselling Children and Young People from Glyndwr University.
My professional background spans Local Authority services, NHS CAMHS, and private practice, with a specialist focus on autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments. I am trained in gold-standard assessment tools including ADOS-2, ADI-R, 3Di, and DIVA, and hold a Certificate in Educational and Psychological Testing (CEET).
Alongside assessment work, I provide therapeutic support using a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centred Counselling, and EMDR.
My approach is trauma-informed, neuro-affirmative, and strengths-based. I understand behaviour as a form of communication and place great importance on seeing the whole person—not just a set of symptoms. I have extensive experience delivering post-diagnostic support to families and have led multi-disciplinary teams to ensure assessments are thorough, integrated, and meaningful.
I am committed to ongoing professional development and to working collaboratively with individuals, families, and professionals to ensure that every assessment is accurate, compassionate, and tailored to each person’s unique profile.
Outside of my professional work, I enjoy yoga, running, paddleboarding, live music, and spending time outdoors with my children.
Jane Higgins
Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
I am a Consultant Psychologist registered with the HCPC in as a Clinical Practitioner Psychologist and Forensic Practitioner Psychologist (PYL 33127). I am an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. I have more than 12 years of post-qualification experience as a practitioner psychologist and nearly 20 years of experience within the field of psychology. I have specialist training and experience in administering the DIVA-5, ADOS, and ADI-R, which are used in the assessment of ADHD and ASD.
The family courts in England and Wales have instructed me as an expert witness in neurodevelopmental conditions. For the last six years, I have consulted on neurodevelopmental conditions (ASD/ADHD) for various charities and NHS trusts. I have assessed and diagnosed ADHD and ASD in children, young people, and adults.
I have been fortunate to work in numerous NHS, private, and charity settings in England and Wales. I have experience in working with diagnostic differentials such as anxiety, depression, substance misuse, personality disorder, trauma, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Dr Sophie Littler
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Chester Psychological Service, Hoole, Chester
Dr Sophie Littler is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in psychological assessment and therapy. She offers a thoughtful, person-centred approach, tailoring her work to each individual’s needs rather than focusing solely on diagnosis.
Dr Littler has specialist training in a wide range of evidence-based approaches, including CBT, DBT, EMDR, Schema Therapy, and neurodevelopmental assessments for autism and ADHD. She works with both adults and families, supporting a range of emotional and mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties.
Her approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-focused, helping individuals to better understand themselves while building practical skills for everyday life.
Lauren Green - Virtual Assistant
Lauren is a freelance Virtual Assistant with a background in Early Years SENCo and a huge passion for supporting others. Lauren supports us with initial enquiries, admin tasks and appointment scheduling.
Lauren demonstrates an excellent understanding of GDPR, is registered with the DBS update service and has carried out safeguarding training to enable her to continue working effectively within the sector. Lauren has her own privacy policy (available on request) and works under guidance from ourselves. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions about Lauren and her role.
Team members
Our Multidisciplinary Assessment Approach
All our team members are fully trained, accredited diagnostic clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds. To ensure compliance with NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) guidelines all assessments are completed by two diagnosticians from different professional background and reviewed by a third experienced clinician to ensure clinical robustness.
Dedicated Support and Comprehensive Profile Development
Your autism case co-ordinator will act as a single point of access and offer guidance throughout your autism assessment and tailor the assessment components to create a comprehensive profile, for example, providing general information relating to;
- Academic skills and learning style.
- Speech, language and communication preferences.
- Fine and gross motor skills.
- Emotional wellbeing and self concept
- Behaviour that is likely to affect day to day functioning and social participation.
- Sensory processing differences.
This multifaceted approach ensures we capture the unique presentation of each individual we assess at Reach Autism Services.