Diagnostic Services

The assessment and diagnostic process of difficulties during childhood is complex, as it requires the gathering of detailed information of children’s home and school environment, as well as an in-depth assessment of the individual child by a number of specialists.

In order to achieve the best possible result, the members of the diagnostic team must have a strong academic background as well as long-term professional experience.

The procedure which is followed at Doxiadis Unit in order to ensure a valid interdisciplinary and complete approach, consists of 5 stages:

1. REFERRAL

The Unit’s Administration Office personnel records basic personal particulars, the reason for referral, the source of referral, and sets up the initial parents’ intake appointment, etc.

2. PARENTS’ INTAKE APPOINTMENT

The appointment takes place with a psychologist specialized in family therapy.

It aims at:
– The clarification of the problem so that the appropriate assessments are scheduled.
– Understanding the family dynamics and the context in which the child’s difficulties have appeared.
– Informing the parents on the diagnostic process.
– Providing parents with the standardized questionnaires to be answered by parents, teachers and adolescents.

Each family and child case is unique and is treated as such.

3. ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Each child is assessed by specialists. The number of diagnostic assessments varies, according to the reason for referral, the child’s particular problems and the findings of the examiners.

4. INTERDISCIPLINARY COUNCIL CASE CONFERENCE

When all assessments have been made, together with the results of any necessary medical evaluations, each case is discussed at the interdisciplinary council case conference. The case conference plays a crucial role in the diagnostic assessment and the therapeutic proposal, guaranteeing the validity of the services provided, with collective clinical responsibility.

5. DISCUSSION OF EVALUATION RESULTS

An appointment is set with the parents, and with the adolescent when appropriate, for the discussion of the evaluation results and proposed therapeutic plan. The discussion of the evaluation results is presented by the specialist or specialists concerned, depending on the diagnosis and the particularity of the case.

6. WRITTEN REPORT

The parents are presented with a written report which includes the results of the assessments and the therapeutic regimen proposal.