Our Team

Chris Wade

Consultant Speech and Language Therapist

With 17 years of experience, Chris is a dedicated Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, specialising in Autism. Trained by the NHS in ADOS and ADI-R 15 years ago, Chris founded South Wales Autism Assessments, replicating the most effective practices observed within the NHS.

Autism has been a central focus for Chris since qualifying, with a particular passion for building connections with children and adolescents often described as “hard to assess.” As part of our multidisciplinary team, Chris plays a vital role in assessing children, adolescents, and adults using tools such as ADOS, ADI-R, and ACIA, ensuring each individual receives personalised care and attention.

Dr Tiago Pinto

Registered Clinical Psychologist

Tiago Pinto is an experienced Clinical Psychologist, registered in the UK, with a career spanning over two decades since his graduation in Portugal in 2001. His professional journey has been deeply rooted in the exploration of the Autism spectrum, particularly in refining diagnostic clarity and tailoring interventions to each individual’s unique needs.

After relocating to the UK, Tiago expanded his practice across various settings, including CAMHS, Adult LD teams, Outreach, and Secure Services. Since 2009, he has dedicated his expertise to working with autistic children and adults, often in complex cases where Autism is the primary factor influencing other diagnoses. His specialism lies in accurate diagnosis and creating bespoke intervention plans.

A respected voice in the field, Tiago frequently presents at both national and international conferences, shedding light on the nuances of Autism and discussing recent advancements. His work is widely published in both scientific and mainstream journals, aiming to enhance public understanding of the Autism spectrum.

Currently, Tiago is an integral part of the Autism Diagnostic multidisciplinary team at Journey to Autism Diagnostic Assessment and Early Support (JADES) within the NHS in Essex. He also leads a multidisciplinary team in private practice autism assessments with Mind Professionals in Cambridge.

Since 2015, Tiago has gained international recognition as a trainer in ADOS-2 and ADI-R, the ‘gold standard’ diagnostic tools for Autism. He has delivered specialised training to a wide array of professionals, including clinical directors, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and speech and language therapists, across organisations like St. Andrew’s Healthcare, Brookdale Care, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, among others. His training sessions consistently receive outstanding feedback.

In 2017, Tiago’s contributions were recognised with the UK National Learning Disabilities and Autism – Great Autism Practice Award, highlighting his exceptional knowledge and understanding of Autism.

Dr Caryl Griffiths

Senior Educational Psychologist

Caryl is a Senior Educational Psychologist (SEP) with eight years of post-qualification experience, focusing on promoting social communication and emotional literacy skills, and supporting children and young people with Autism (ASC). She is a registered member of the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Since qualifying in 2016, Caryl has worked within a local authority as an educational psychologist, advancing to the role of Senior Educational Psychologist. She plays a pivotal role in multidisciplinary assessment processes for young people suspected of having ASC, contributing her expertise historically within NHS CAMHS and now in the private sector. Caryl is trained in the ADOS-2, ADI-R, and ACIA assessment tools, ensuring comprehensive and accurate evaluations.

Dr Lucie Kanfiszer

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Lucie Kanfiszer is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist who earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Essex. With over 15 years of experience, Lucie has dedicated her career to supporting children, young people, and families in specialist settings.

Lucie brings extensive expertise in providing psychological support and conducting specialist assessments for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences, as well as those managing physical health conditions. Her commitment to the field extends to research, with publications focused on the lived experiences of autistic women, contributing valuable insights to the understanding of Autism across different populations.

Dr Emma Davies

Dr Emma Davies is a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with a dedicated focus on child and adolescent mental health. Emma’s interest in psychology began during her teenage years, leading her to pursue a BSc in Psychology at the University of Birmingham in 2010. Following this, she completed an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) at UCL, further solidifying her passion for working with young people.

Emma gained valuable experience working as an Assistant Psychologist within CAMH neurodevelopmental and learning disabilities teams, where she deepened her understanding of neurodivergence and received training in Autism assessment tools, including the ADOS-2 and 3Di-5. In 2017, she embarked on her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London, which offered opportunities to work across the lifespan and in a variety of settings.

Since qualifying in 2020, Emma has worked within the NHS CAMH service, conducting mental health and neurodevelopmental assessments, and providing therapy for a range of mental health needs. Her therapeutic approach is integrative and collaborative, ensuring that the individual and their family are central to the process.

In May 2024, Emma transitioned to independent practice, where she now works for several organizations conducting neurodevelopmental assessments using tools such as the ADOS-2, ADI-R, and ACIA. She also offers therapy independently to children, young people, and their families. Emma is known for her compassionate, non-judgemental approach, always prioritizing the needs of the individuals and families she supports.

Dr Savina Wachter

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Savina Wachter is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience, dedicated to supporting children, young people, and families in specialist settings.

Savina brings extensive expertise in conducting complex neurodevelopmental assessments and providing psychological support for individuals with a range of needs, including neurodevelopmental differences, physical health conditions, and learning disabilities. Her experience includes working with children managing hearing impairments, attachment difficulties, and rare physical health conditions or syndromes, ensuring tailored care for those with unique developmental profiles.

Sarah Murphy

Sarah Murphy is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and experienced neurodevelopmental assessor. Sarah and Chris have worked with each other for many years. Sarah is trained in the ADOS 2; ADI-R and ACIA and sees children and adults for Autism assessments as part of our multidisciplinary team.

Sophie Williams

Lead Clinician

Our Lead Clinician in Leeds is Sophie Williams. Sophie is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with extensive experience offering neurodevelopmental assessments. Sophie is qualified to administer the ADOS-2, ADI-R, and QbTest and currently provides ADOS-2 assessments for children and adolescents in the Leeds area as part of our multidisciplinary team. She holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Sensory Integration Therapy and is advancing her expertise with training in Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT).