Our Story
My name is Chay Thompson, founder of Spectrum Sisters Ltd.
I am a Neurodevelopmental Diagnostician, Social Worker and Counsellor specialising in autism and ADHD assessments for women and girls. I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work, additional postgraduate counselling qualifications, and specialist training in ADOS-2, ADI-R, DIVA-5 and QBCheck assessments.
But Spectrum Sisters was not created from qualifications alone.
Like many women, I received my own diagnoses of autism, ADHD and dyspraxia later in life, after years of feeling misunderstood and trying to navigate systems that were never truly designed to recognise the female presentation of neurodivergence. I am also a mother to several neurodivergent girls, and I understand personally how life-changing the right understanding and support can be.
Receiving my diagnosis changed my life. It gave me understanding, validation, self-compassion and access to support I had never previously received. Unfortunately it didn't happen until I was 47 which meant I could have had that support far sooner, and not struggled for as long as I did. That, and my work, also opened my eyes to how many women and girls are still being missed and the impact on the lifespan can be devastating.
Throughout my professional work, I repeatedly saw women and girls being misunderstood, overlooked, underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed — often for years or even decades. Many had been labelled with anxiety, personality disorders, depression, “behaviour problems” or simply seen as “too sensitive” or “difficult,” while the underlying neurodivergence remained completely unrecognised. Or for younger girls I saw schools commonly ignoring the issues because the child was quiet, had no behavioural issues, as was internalising their struggles, so therefore not considered a priority.
I believe this reflects a wider systemic issue and a historic, misogyny-rooted neglect of autistic women and girls.
Too many women are still waiting years for answers. Too many girls are growing up believing something is “wrong” with them, while struggling without the understanding and support they deserve. And seeing the boys around them readily receive that support.
That is why I created Spectrum Sisters Ltd.
I wanted to build a safe, trauma-informed and neuro-affirming service specifically designed around the female presentation of autism and ADHD — a service where women and girls feel understood, respected and empowered.
We believe neurodivergence is not something to be “fixed.” We believe women and girls deserve understanding, validation, and access to the support they need to thrive.
Unfortunately, long NHS waiting lists and the high cost of private assessments mean many women and families simply cannot access diagnosis.
This fundraiser exists to help change that.
Our goal is to create funded and subsidised autism and ADHD assessments for women and girls experiencing financial hardship, so that cost is not the barrier preventing someone from finally understanding themselves.
Every donation helps us move one step closer to a future where fewer girls grow up unseen, misunderstood, and unsupported. Our long-term goal is to create an Access Fund to provide free or subsidised autism and ADHD assessments for women and girls who may otherwise never receive answers or support.
This includes women and families experiencing financial hardship, care-experienced young people, girls at risk of being overlooked in education, and individuals facing significant barriers to accessing diagnosis through traditional routes.
We believe understanding should not depend on income, privilege, or the ability to navigate systems that so often fail neurodivergent women and girls.
Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us raise awareness for our girls. Because we matter!
Organizer
Chay Thompson
Organizer