Navigating Diagnosis
OUR SERVICE
A diagnosis changes the language. It does not change who your child is.
Guidance for families approaching, processing, or living with the period after assessment.
What it Is
A neurodivergent diagnosis — whether of autism, ADHD, PDA, dyslexia, or something more complex — is rarely a single moment. It is the beginning of a longer process: understanding what the assessment means in practice, deciding what to do with it, navigating the professional and institutional landscape it opens up, and finding a way to hold it honestly within the family.
Luma’s Navigating Diagnosis service is designed for families at any stage of that process. Before an assessment, during it, or in the weeks and months that follow. We provide the context, the clarity, and the practical guidance that the assessment report itself rarely includes.
Why it Matters
Assessment reports are written by clinicians for clinicians. They are precise, thorough, and frequently impenetrable to the people they are supposed to help. A family that receives a 40-page report confirming their child has autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and associated anxiety is left with an enormous amount of information and very little guidance on what to do with it.
The professional landscape that follows diagnosis is similarly complex. Which recommendations matter most? Which professionals should be prioritised? What should the school be told, and how? What does the diagnosis mean for the household, for the siblings, for how the family talks about the child’s needs? What does it not mean — and what are the common mistakes families make in the weeks after a diagnosis?
These questions deserve real answers. Not a pamphlet. Not a referral to a waiting list. Answers from someone who has been through this many times, understands both the clinical and the practical dimensions, and can be honest about what is useful and what is not.
How it Works
This service is typically a short to medium-term engagement, structured around the family’s specific situation and timeline. It can include:
A thorough review of any existing assessment reports or professional correspondence
Plain-language explanation of what a diagnosis does and does not indicate
Guidance on which recommendations to prioritise and why
Advice on how and what to communicate to the school, household staff, and wider family
An introduction to the right professionals for the child’s specific profile — only those we believe will genuinely help
Support for parents processing the emotional as well as the practical dimensions of diagnosis
A written summary of recommended next steps, with clear rationale
Before a Diagnosis
Many families come to Luma before an assessment has taken place — aware that something is not quite right, unsure whether to pursue formal assessment, uncertain which route to take or which professionals to trust. We support families at this earlier stage too: thinking through whether assessment is the right next step, understanding what different assessment processes involve, and preparing the household for the possibility of a formal diagnosis.
There is no requirement to have a diagnosis in place before working with us.
For many families, a diagnosis is the beginning of a broader conversation about how the household needs to change. Our Household & Estate Staff Training service helps translate what a diagnosis means into practical, consistent support across your household team. And if your child is at boarding school or university, our Education Oversight service ensures that the school’s understanding of your child’s needs is as current and specific as your own.
Who This is For
Families who have recently received an assessment report and do not know where to start
Parents who received a diagnosis some time ago but feel they have never fully understood what it means in practice
Families considering assessment and wanting expert guidance before committing to a process
Households where a diagnosis has been received but not yet communicated to staff or school
Parents who want honest, experienced guidance rather than clinical language or generic information
Fees
This service is available as a standalone engagement or as the starting point for a broader Luma relationship. Fees are available on application.
Navigating Diagnosis: Frequently Asked Questions
We received the diagnosis some time ago. Is it too late to engage Luma for this?
Not at all. Many families come to us months or even years after a diagnosis, having found that the initial period was focused on getting through it rather than understanding it properly. The questions do not expire. If you feel you are still navigating the practical and emotional dimensions of a diagnosis — however long ago it arrived — this service remains relevant.
Should we tell the school about the diagnosis?
It depends on the diagnosis, the school, the child, and what you are hoping to achieve by disclosing. This is one of the most common and most nuanced questions families face after assessment, and there is no universal answer. We help families think through the specific implications — what disclosure might unlock in terms of support, what it might mean socially for the child, and how to frame it if and when you decide to share it.
How do we talk to our child about their diagnosis?
Carefully, honestly, and at the right pace — which looks different for every child and every family. We do not provide a script, because the right conversation depends entirely on the child’s age, their existing self-understanding, and what the diagnosis means for them practically. What we do is help parents think through the approach, anticipate the questions a child might ask, and find language that is honest without being overwhelming.
We are not sure our child needs an assessment. Can you help us think that through?
Yes. Deciding whether to pursue a formal assessment is a significant decision and not always a straightforward one. There are good reasons to assess and good reasons to wait, and the right answer depends on the child, the circumstances, and what you are hoping an assessment would change. We help families work through that decision with the benefit of experience — without any interest in directing them one way or the other.
How can we find the right clinic for diagnosis?
For families who have decided to pursue a formal assessment and would like guidance on where to go, we can provide referrals and recommendations to trusted clinics and assessment centres. We have established relationships with practitioners across the UK and internationally, and we are able to advise on which route is most appropriate given the child’s age, presenting profile, and the family’s circumstances. We do not have financial arrangements with any clinic we recommend. Our only interest is in pointing families in the right direction
Other Premium Services
Explore our full range of neurodivergent advisory services.
Household & Estate Staff Training
Bespoke training for nannies, governesses, house managers, jet & yacht crew, and security teams working alongside neurodivergent children. Practical, scenario-based, and built around your child and your home. Never generic, never off the shelf.
On-Call Support
Direct access to our team when something arises or during a key transition period — a difficult school meeting, a hard conversation at home, a decision that won’t wait. Available, discreet, and already familiar with your family’s needs.
Coordination of Professionals
Therapists, tutors, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, paediatric specialists. We assemble, brief, and coordinate the team around your child — so the picture is coherent and the household isn’t carrying it alone.
Education Oversight
Independent oversight for students at boarding school or university. School and university liaison, SEN and support plan oversight, regular structured parent updates, and a trusted independent contact for the student.
Strategic Advisory
Confidential advisory for schools, family offices, and government bodies designing or reviewing neurodivergent support provision in both public and private settings.
Luma Bespoke
Support shaped entirely around your family’s needs — when the situation doesn’t fit a standard framework, or when you simply want something designed from scratch around your family.
READY TO BEGIN?
Let’s find out how we can support your family
Whether you’re looking for training for your estate staff or need help managing a key transition, we’re here to help.