Welcome To Curious Minds

Delivering gold standard Autism Assessments for teenagers and young adults in Dundee and across Tayside.

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getting you
the support you need

We believe young people and their families should be able to access quality autism assessment services when they need it. Our specialist team make sure that you are seen quickly, conveniently and receive a service tailored to your needs.

Putting you first in the assessment process

We are a team of highly skilled clinicians offering personalised assessments for difficulties with social communication, social interactions and difficulties managing behaviour and emotions. Developing a shared understanding of these difficulties is at the centre of our assessments. We offer diagnostic assessments for Autism as well as personalised follow up to help you make sense of things.

We are experts in:

  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Female profile autism spectrum disorders
  • Providing personalised care
  • Delivering specialist services for young people
  • Clinical standards and diagnosis
  • Sensory assessment
View Our Services

What to expect - Assessment Process

Free Initial
Consultation

20 minute telephone consultation where we can hear more about your needs and decide if our service is right for you.

Evidence based
Clinical Assessment

Gold standard in Autism Assessment with full developmental history interview, face to face assessment and multidisciplinary team discussion

Diagnostic
Assessment Report

Detailed diagnostic report following assessment. We present our findings and offer personalised strategies and recommendations.

Post
Diagnostic Advice

We offer a follow up appointment to help you make sense of the assessment outcome and discuss any questions you might have.

“We cannot thank Louise and Curious Minds enough for their professionalism and personal approach to helping us.״

Patricia L.
"The staff were ideal. Clued up on the subtler female expressions of autism, very friendly and accommodating. The whole process was very efficient and as described. I had a very positive experience and would highly recommend."
Lia

Fiona Mitchell

I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from The University of Strathclyde in 1996 and have over 25 years of experience working in NHS Scotland. I started work as a community Speech and Language Therapist working with children and young people.

I very quickly developed a real interest in Neurodevelopmental conditions, working closely with young people and their families to support the development of their speech, language and communication skills. I am passionate that all children should be in an environment where their communication can develop to the best of their abilities.

I have further developed my skills and knowledge particularly in the area of Autism, completing my ADOS 2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale) training and for a number of years my role has included being part of both community and specialist Autism Multidisciplinary Assessments.

I thoroughly enjoyed completing the National Autistic Society training in EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus programmes. Delivering these parent groups allowed me to support families to learn more about Autism and to help them develop new ways to support their child.

I continue to work in the NHS supporting families on their journey pre and post assessment of Neurodevelopmental conditions.

 

Qualifications:

  • Bsc Hons Speech and Language Pathology

Claire Pollock

I am an Occupational Therapist (OT) with nearly 23 years experience within NHS Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Services both in Tayside and Fife, as well as a year as a Neurodevelopmental Therapist in a District Health Board in New Zealand. I have experience in both In-patient and community settings and have also been based within schools.

During this time, I have developed a particular passion for learning and sharing knowledge about Sensory integration and neuroscience. I feel privileged to have been able to explore and have conversations with many individuals about their unique sensory experiences; which are our foundation and gateway to how we experience our world with confidence.

I bring a broad and varied proficiency within the team around the child, supporting consistency in the home, school and other environments. Helping others to support you to achieve what is important to you.

OT considers the whole person, grounded in bringing a holistic approach to supporting people to achieve their goals. I also enjoy the creativity and problem solving aspect of being an OT and look forward to exploring this with you.
I look forward to meeting you and am curious to learn about your unique brain and subsequent different skills, abilities, needs and considerations.

Qualifications:

  • BSc Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC Registered

Claire Mathewson

I am an Advanced Nurse Practitioner with 17 years’ experience of working for the NHS with children, young people and adults who have Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

I qualified from the University of Dundee as a Learning Disability Nurse in 2005, then as a Mental Health Nurse in 2008. Following the undertaking of a Degree in Nursing, I went on to study and graduate with a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice in 2019. I am a Non-Medical Prescriber also who focuses on sleep and other neurodevelopmental disorders. I am currently undertaking a Masters Level research project in the diagnosis of Autism.

Over the last 7 years my experience of working within NHS services has focused on the assessment and diagnosis of Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. I am trained in the delivery of the 3di and ADOS-2 assessment.

My professional passion is working with neurodiverse children, young people and adults and I am fortunate to be able to say I work alongside a diverse group of people who I learn from every day.

Qualifications:

  • BSc Nursing
  • PG Dip Advance Practice

  • Registered Independent and Supplementary Prescriber

Dr. Louise Loughran

I am a Clinical Psychologist with more than 16 years experience working in NHS Child & Adolescent Mental Health services across Scotland.

I am passionate about delivering high quality care for children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, with my particular area of interest being Autism. In my NHS clinical work I am fortunate to be involved in both CAMHS and Autism Assessments Teams, and have been for many years.

I studied for my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Glasgow and over the years I have developed my skills with extensive specialist training in Autism Assessments (ADOS), Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Family Therapy.

After qualifying I worked in NHS Greater Glasgow for many years as a Principal Psychologist with a key role in the development of Autism Assessments services.

I have always particularly enjoyed offering Autism assessments to young people and working with them and their families to reach a greater understanding of neurodiversity.

Qualifications:

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
  • PG Dip Cognitive Psychology
  • BA Hons Psychology & Marketing