Early diagnosis in autism is crucial in providing children with autism the best opportunities for growth and development. By getting children diagnosed early, families can access the support and therapies that promote positive developmental outcomes, including behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and social skills development.

 

When I was diagnosed with autism when I was 13, I was so grateful because I now understood so much about what was going on with me.  It has been so helpful to have the autism diagnosis in so many aspects of my life, from school to socially. As a result, I have founded m.a.d.i (Madeleine’s Autism Diagnosis Initiative) whose mission is to help other child get their autism diagnosis more quickly.

 

By providing resources for families who otherwise would have sat on long NHS waiting lists, we aim to reduce the waiting time for diagnosis, improve access to specialists, and empower parents to better understand and support their child’s development. Our goal is to remove the barriers to early intervention, so children can begin receiving the care and support they need as soon as possible. We work with medical professionals, clinics, and diagnostic centers to fund and prioritize assessments for children from underserved or low-income families.

 

m.a.d.i Autism Initiative  understands how difficult getting children assessed for autism can be, that’s why we offer charity-funded Autism Assessments for eligible families. Families will also receive 12 months of post-diagnostic support. We will refer you to experienced and dedicated Autism Assessment specialists who work with families to assess your child’s strengths and difficulties, including behaviour, emotional health and well-being, communication and sensory processing needs.

 

With your help, we can help make a world where children with autism have the best start in life, regardless of where they live or their family's financial situation. m.a.d.i is committed to advocating for timely, compassionate, and effective diagnostic care for all children. By helping to lift the burden of the financial barriers that keep children on long NHS waiting lists as they can not afford a private diagnosis, my initiative is to help give children the benefits that I had by a quick diagnosis.