About us:

Hi, my name is Esme Platt and I set up SEND Support Banbury Ltd in 2022 because SEND, and specifically neurodiversity, is deeply rooted in both lived experience and professional practice. This includes my own lived experience of receiving a late diagnosis of autism, which strongly informs my values, understanding, and approach to my work.

My social work journey began in 2014 when I volunteered for the Early Intervention Service, and in 2015 I completed a Diploma in Social Sciences. I went on to study Social Work and in 2018 graduated with a 2:1 Bachelor (Hons) degree in Social Work. Since qualifying, I have worked as a frontline social worker within child protection. I am now an independent social worker specialising in safeguarding and SEND.

I am trained in both the ADOS and ADI-R autism diagnostic assessments and conduct autism assessments for individuals presenting with autistic characteristics as part of a multidisciplinary team. This team includes myself, a speech and language therapist and a clinical psychologist.

All assessments are completed in line with NICE guidelines and best practice standards. Our fees are intentionally kept as low as possible and do not reflect the quality or robustness of our assessments. This is an ethical value of SEND Support Banbury Ltd, rooted in my own lived experience as a parent who has had to navigate the private assessment process for my own children. I am committed to ensuring families can access high-quality, timely support without unnecessary financial barriers.

In addition to this I provide expert witness reports for the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). I am licensed to complete ParentAssess parenting assessments, which are specialist assessments for parents with a learning disability or additional needs, including trauma, domestic abuse, poor mental health, exploitation, and alcohol or substance misuse.

All of my work is underpinned by trauma-informed practice, ensuring assessments and interventions are ethical, compassionate, and sensitive to individual lived experiences.

Hi, I’m Justine McDonnell, an occupational therapist. I am a dedicated Lead Occupational Therapist and Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner with a proven track record of over a decade in providing specialised care and support to individuals with diverse needs.  

My journey began with a focus on personalised technology coordination at Hft, where I assessed individuals with learning disabilities to identify and implement assistive technologies, empowering them to lead more independent lives. This experience laid the foundation for my subsequent roles, where I transitioned into leading Occupational Therapy services and integrating sensory approaches to support students with autism in a special school environment. 

I am a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, celebrating the strengths and unique perspectives that each individual brings. With a deep understanding of the diverse ways people experience the world, I aim to foster an environment that embraces differences and empowers clients to navigate the world in their own authentic way. 

Having personally navigated the challenges of dyslexia and combined ADHD, I bring a unique perspective to my practice. I understand the importance of tailored approaches and strive to create interventions that honour the individual learning styles of my clients.  

Hi, I’m Dr Fiona Desira, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. I have over 15 years’ experience working with children, young people and families in the UK and overseas. I am very passionate about Neurodevelopment, with a particular special interest in Autism.

For the last 15 years I have supported many families through the complex diagnostic process and beyond. I pride myself on providing high quality, best practice assessment as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have spent the last 15 years developing and leading diagnostic services. I strongly believe in neuroaffirming practice, ensuring strength-based assessments and providing post-diagnostic support to individuals and families that fosters the development of a positive neurodivergent identity.

I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northumbria University (2003) and master’s degree in Health Psychology from Teesside University (2004) and qualified with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Teesside University in 2009. Since qualifying, I worked in the NHS and private practice in the UK, before moving to the United Arab Emirates where I worked in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I returned to the UK in 2024 and am excited to work as part of the team providing high quality multidisciplinary assessments.

In addition to working directly with families, I enjoy teaching and training and am particularly passionate about my role as an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) trainer.

Suzanne is an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist who has specialised in neurodevelopmental conditions in children and young people since completing her Clinical Psychology Doctorate at Birmingham University in 2009. Since qualifying, Suzanne has worked in the NHS for specialist neurodevelopmental services as Senior Clinical Psychologist, conducting autism and ADHD assessments, autism profiling, post-diagnostic support and intervention and consultancy to allied health care professionals.   

In addition to her NHS role, Suzanne has worked as an associate within private sector and is also a Sessional Lecturer at Warwick University.  She is trained and regularly administers ADOS-2 modules 1-4, as well as trained in MIGDAS-2 Monterio Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum, Second Edition, QB computerised ADHD screening assessment tool and the following cognitive assessments:  WAIS-IV, WISC-V, WPPSI-IV.

Suzanne is particularly passionate about schools becoming more neuro-affirmative in their philosophy, teaching and support.  She has specialist interests in complex presentations of autism such as pervasive demand avoidance subtype, gender disparities across ADHD and Autism, and co-occurring developmental trauma. Suzanne also has a special interest in Tourette’s Syndrome and has completed training in CBiTT Comprehensive Behavioural intervention for Tics and Tourette’s.

Dr Imtiaz Syed is a GMC-registered psychiatrist and accredited expert witness based in the 

UK. He specialises in General Adult Psychiatry, adult and child neurodevelopmental assessments (including 

ADHD and Autism), and medico-legal reporting. With a background in both medicine and 

business, Dr Syed brings a strategic, person-centered approach to mental health care. He 

has extensive experience in assessing a wide range of conditions  including anxiety, 

depression, PTSD, OCD, and psychosis. His medico-legal work includes psychiatric 

evaluations for immigration, capacity, personal injury, and criminal proceedings. Known for 

his thorough, compassionate, and evidence-based practice, Dr Syed is trusted by clients, 

solicitors, and clinical teams alike.