74 | UK Enterprise Awards 2023 Apr23443 Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 (South East): Deepshikha Thakur & Excellence Award in Supporting Children and Young People with Neurodevelopmental Conditions 2023 - South East Autism Doctor offers neuro-affirmative assessment, diagnosis, and management advice for a variety of neurodevelopmental conditions in children and young people. In the wake of the company achieving two prestigious accolades in the UK Enterprise Awards 2023, we speak to the company’s Founder, Dr Deepshikha Thakur, and discover just how deep her passion for her work really is. Autism Doctor provides services for children and young people who are suspected to be autistic or have other neurodevelopmental conditions. The company specialises in assessing and providing strategies for individuals who require specialised care and support to help them reach their full potential. Founder and Clinical Director, Dr Deepshikha Thakur, heads up the team of experts who are dedicated to providing comprehensive and individualised assessments to determine the unique needs of each child or young person it works with. Based on these assessments, Autism Doctor will then create customised strategies and interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of each individual. “Our mission is to provide a supportive and collaborative strategies where our children and young people can receive the care and support they need to thrive,” Deepshikha, who is known to friends and colleagues as Deepshikha, explains. “At Autism Doctor, we believe in working closely with families and other professionals involved in the care of our clients to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.” As both individuals and as a team, all staff members at Autism Doctor are committed to staying up to date with the latest research and best practices in the field of autism and neurodevelopmental conditions, regularly collaborating with other professionals and organisations to ensure that its strategies and interventions are evidence-based and effective. “We are passionate about our work and believe that every child and young person has the potential to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life,” elaborates Deepshikha. “Our goal is to provide the highest quality care and support to our clients and their families, and we always look forward to working with all to achieve that goal.” Deepshikha has a vast and varied paediatric experience spanning more than 22 years. Her special interest is in autism spectrum disorder particularly autism in girls and teenagers as well as complex autism and those presenting with emotional dysregulation. In addition, she is an expert in assessment and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, developmental delay and other aspects of neurodivergence and developmental paediatrics. She holds key leadership roles within the NHS in relation to autism and special educational needs and disability (SEND) as autism lead and has been a Designated Medical Officer (DMO) in Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust for several years. She is a board member of NHS England, East of England ASD and Learning Disability Board. Deepshikha has also been involved in the capacity of chief investigator in a feasibility research trial using a robot (KASPAR) to improve joint attention, imitation and turn taking in children on autism spectrum. She has presented in international and national conferences over the years including at the prestigious RCPCH. She is also a co-author of the autism chapter in the Trainees Handbook published by Jay Pee Brothers. At Autism Doctor, Deepshikha and the team’s values include compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to evidence-based practices. The organisation believes in treating each individual with respect and dignity, and it strives to provide nurturing strategies and plan specific to their needs. Deepshikha tells us more on how this is achieved: “To stay true to our values and succeed in our area of expertise, we focus on building strong relationships with our clients and their families,” she says. “We listen carefully to their needs and concerns, and we work collaboratively with other professionals involved in their care to develop personalised strategies and interventions that are tailored to their unique needs.” She continues to explain that Autism Doctor’s unique selling point is its ability to provide comprehensive and timely assessments as well as customised strategies and interventions that are evidence-based and effective. This helps to make it a trusted and effective partner for those seeking specialised care and support. Deepshikha has observed several trends in the field of autism fairly recently, with one significant trend being the increasing awareness and recognition of the prevalence of autism and related conditions. This has led to an increased demand for specialised services and support, and a growing need for more research and funding in the field. “Certainly, in the UK, there has been a growing recognition of the unique needs of girls and women with autism, including the under recognition of their symptoms due to masking,” she tells us. “Masking is a phenomenon where individuals with autism learn to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to fit in socially, which can make it difficult for them to receive a timely and accurate diagnosis, and to access appropriate care and support.” The practise of ‘masking’ has sadly led to a significant under-recognition of the prevalence of autism in girls and women, and a need for more tailored support and interventions for this group. Another trend that Deepshikha noticed, specifically in the UK, is a greater focus on early intervention and diagnosis. The UK government has recently implemented a National Autism Strategy, which includes measures to improve
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