Why us?
At our Autism and ADHD clinic, we go beyond offering professional care – we’re a community of neurodiverse individuals who understand the journey firsthand. Our team members are not only experts in Autism and ADHD support, but many of us are also parents of neurodiverse children. This gives us a unique perspective – we know what you're going through because we've experienced it ourselves.
We provide personalised, compassionate care designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with Autism and ADHD. Whether you're seeking an Autism diagnosis, ADHD assessment, or ongoing support, we approach every individual with empathy and understanding, creating a safe space for both children and adults.
Choosing our clinic means you’re working with people who don’t just understand neurodiversity professionally, but personally as well. We’re here to support your family, because we’ve been in your shoes, and we know how important it is to have someone on your side who truly gets it.
Services: Autism Diagnosis | ADHD Assessment | Neurodiverse Support | Autism & ADHD Therapy | Neurodiversity-Friendly Environment
Our Team:
Autism and ADHD Assessment Core Team:
Dr Emma Rigby
Director, ASC and ADHD Assessor & Clinical Psychologist.
Hi, I’m Emma, co-director and founder of BASE Minds. As a clinical psychologist, I’ve spent years working with children, young people, and families, guiding them through challenges related to mental and emotional health while supporting and exploring neurodiversity.
Beyond my professional role, my personal journey deeply informs my work. As someone with ADHD and a mum to two incredible daughters, one who is autistic and has ADHD, and another who is neurotypical. I’ve experienced firsthand the emotional ups and downs of the assessment and diagnosis process. I understand the confusion, the need for guidance, and the longing for compassionate support that families often feel, and sadly do not always get.
BASE Minds was born from this understanding. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space for families and individuals, a “base” where they can find care, compassion, and guidance. At BASE we aim to help others navigate their unique journeys with confidence and understanding.
Professional Affiliations, Training & Qualifications:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Hogrefe
Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADIR)
HCPC Registered Professional
BSc Psychology, University of Cardiff
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Surrey
Advanced Clinical Skills in Compassion Focused Therapy, Compassionate mind foundation.
Masters in Forensic Psychology, University of York
EMDR (parts1,2,3), Sandi Richman, London
Lucy White
Director, ASC and ADHD Assessor and Occupational Therapist
Hi, I’m Lucy. - proud mum to two amazing boys, Corey and Logan, and wife to my wonderful husband, Ben. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Oxford Brookes University in 2010. After navigating the challenging journey to get our little superhero Logan diagnosed with ADHD and the support he truly needed, we realised just how fragmented the process is for parents.
There was no clinic offering everything under one roof - from diagnosis and medication to EHCP support and the necessary therapeutic interventions.
Having personally been through the entire process, I deeply understand how overwhelming, time-consuming, and mentally draining it can be to organise everything while being the constant support for your childor adult loved one.
In January 2024, I was also diagnosed with ADHD, which has given me even greater insight into the challenges individuals face. Alongside Dr Emma Rigby, we decided to channel our energy in to creating a clinic unlike any other - a place where parents dont have to endure the difficulties we faced. That's why we've brought together all the services under one roof here at Base Minds LTD!
Professional Affiliations, Training & Qualifications:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Hogrefe
BSC Occupational Therapy
Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Specialist Sensory Integration Practitioner
Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADIR)
Royal College of Occupational Therapists
HCPC registered Clinician
Nikki Kear-Hill
Case Co-ordinator and Adminstrator
Hi, im Nikki. Mum to three lovely children. I qualified as a Primary School Teacher in 2009 and taught in mainstream schools. I also have experience working in the Early Years Sector and working with SEND in holiday schemes. I completed my SEND diploma in July 2024. After experiencing a rollercoster life of a SEND family, i set out to find a new career pathway to help others experiencing the same as us! So i have come on board to be the Case Co-ordinator and look forward to helping as many people as we possibly can!
Professional Affiliations, Training & Qualifications:
SEND Diploma
BSc Teaching
Vicky Mackinlay
Speech and Language Therapist and ASC Assessor
BSc (Hons) Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, RCSLT, HCPC, ASLTIP
I am a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with over 16 years experience. I have specialised in practising Speech and Language therapy for children 0-18 in clinics, in their own homes or in education settings with a wide range of communication needs. The majority of my experience has been working for the NHS in Wales and then in Surrey. I have my own private Speech and Language therapy service "Talking with Vicky" and I am also experienced in adminstering the ADOS assessment and have been doing so since 2016 within a variety of settings including both the NHS and the private sector.
I strongly believe that early regular help for children when they are little, makes a significant difference in the outcomes for the children’s futures. Lots of children struggle with talking and it can be a daunting task for parents to know what best to do for their child.
Professional Affiliations, Training & Qualifications:
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
Association of Independent Speech and Language Therapits in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Level 2 British Sign Language (working towards Level 3)
Jessica Regan
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and ASC Assessor
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
I am a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with over 10 years experience. Beginning my career as a therapist at Solent NHS working with a paediatric caseload in clinics and schools, I now work across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire covering a broad range of settings and visiting clients in their homes. I split my time between a management role within Surrey Council and private practice, clinically specialising in complex speech sound disorders.
I am experienced in the assessment and therapy of language development, speech sound development and social communication skills in young people age 0-25. I carry out whole school staff training in local schools on strategies in the classroom at a targeted level of need.
I also am an experienced Autism assessor and provide quality face to face assessments for both children and adults.
I am passionate about delivering enjoyable, quality, evidence based therapy for children and families, that really makes a difference.
Professional Affiliations, Trainings and Qualifications:
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Additional Team Members
At BASE Minds we have a dedicated core Multidisplinary Team (MDT) ensuring that our Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments meet NICE guidelines. We are also fortunate to have additional team members who provide support through post-diagnostic services, guidance in all area of the EHCP process, and complementary services following an ASC and/or ADHD diagnosis.
Two psychiatry pathways for medication support
Occupational Therapists specialising in Sensory Integration
Speech and Language Therapists
Clinical Psychologists with expertise in trauma, developmental trauma and attachment difficulties
Educational Psychologist
SEND Advocacy
Autism and family support specialists
Animal Therapy
Wonderful words of wisdom...
Thank you Emma and team for all your continued support and encouragement. I will always keep in mind those the wonderful words of wisdom and analogies and thought-provoking strategies that I can always refer back to.
Thank you for everything...
Dr Rigby’s approach was different in terms of helping me to understand & to work on my own issue rather than trying to tell me what I was going through (or what meds I should take). Thank you for everything you have done to support me and my family.