Gold Standard Autism and ADHD Assessments for children, teenagers and adults.

Good assessment is often the first step to getting the right support.

Our multidisciplinary team is here to help.

Initial Consultation

We offer a free initial 20 minute telephone consultation where we can hear more about your needs and decide if our service is right for you. During the phone call we can arrange further appointments, or if we don’t think we are best service for you we will try to direct you to other supports.

  • Duration: 20 minutes
  • Fee: Free

Autism Assessment

We offer the gold standard in Autism Assessment, which includes full developmental history interview, a face to face assessment and multidisciplinary team discussion. All of our clinicians are trained in ADOS-2 Assessments and have many years experience in Autism assessment.

  • 3 stage assessment process
  • Fees

ADHD Assessment

We offer a high quality, evidence based ADHD assessment service for children, young people and adults. Our assessment process includes a full developmental history interview, a comprehensive face to face clinical assessment, and a multidisciplinary team discussion to ensure a robust and accurate formulation.

All of our clinicians are trained and experienced in ADHD assessment across the lifespan, with many years of specialist practice in neurodevelopmental services

  • 3 stage assessment process
  • Fees

Diagnostic Assessment Report

We provide you with a detailed diagnostic report following your assessment. We detail 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. Additional appointments are available on request following a completed assessment.

Neurodiversity Screening Appointment

We offer an initial neurodiversity screening appointment for children, young people and adults who are exploring whether Autism, ADHD or another neurodevelopmental profile may be relevant to their experiences. This appointment provides a structured, supportive space to discuss your strengths, challenges and developmental history, and to consider whether a full assessment would be helpful. During the session, one of our clinicians will gather key information, answer questions, and offer clear guidance on next steps.

View booking and fees information

Curious about assessment?

Curious Minds assessments are designed to support people who are experiencing difficulties with attention, organisation, social interaction, communication or behaviour, and who are wondering whether Autism, ADHD or a dual profile may help explain their experiences.

You may already have considered Autism or ADHD yourself, or perhaps someone close to you has suggested exploring this further.

Understanding these differences, whether they relate to Autism, ADHD, or both form of neurodiversity, can make it easier for others to understand your needs and provide the right support.

When challenges are not recognised or well understood, they can lead to further social, emotional and practical difficulties, and can impact wellbeing, relationships, education and daily life.

Autism and ADHD often overlap, and the characteristics of one can sometimes look like the other.

Our assessments take a holistic, whole person approach, considering all possibilities and always looking at the bigger picture.

Our aim is to help you gain clarity, confidence and a deeper understanding of yourself or your child.

Why people seek further assessments from us

  • Finding it hard to make or maintain friendships
  • Difficulty understanding what others are thinking or feeling
  • Challenges with social communication, verbally (in conversations) or non verbally (eye contact, facial expressions, gestures)
  • Masking or camouflaging social difficulties, often leading to exhaustion
  • Feeling overwhelmed or distressed when plans change or unexpected situations occur
  • Becoming upset or anxious if routines are disrupted
  • Having unique, specialist or highly focused interests
  • Being sensitive to certain sounds, smells, tastes or textures
  • Difficulties with attention, focus or concentration
  • Feeling easily distracted or struggling to stay on task
  • Challenges with organisation, planning or time management
  • Feeling “on the go,” restless or unable to switch off
  • Experiencing emotional intensity or quick changes in mood
  • Longstanding feelings of being “different” without having an explanation

Our assessments explore these experiences in a holistic, neuro affirming way, considering Autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental profiles to help you understand the bigger picture.

What does an assessment involve?

Our assessments take place in three stages, face to face in our clinical rooms.

We will first meet with you for an initial assessment to help establish whether it is appropriate for you to undergo full diagnostic assessment. This first appointment usually lasts up to 1.5 hours and we would take a history of the difficulties and complete screening measures together. Our clinicians will then discuss with you whether there are enough concerns associated with Autism to suggest a full diagnostic assessment, and you will be able to confirm whether you wish to proceed.

Our diagnostic assessment takes place face to face and usually lasts for up to 2 hours. All our diagnostic assessments are completed by two ADOS-2 trained clinicians, who are highly skilled in Autism assessment. ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2nd edition) is well established as part of the gold standard method of diagnosing Autism. Our assessments are always personalised, and paced for the individual to feel comfortable and relaxed. We provide comfort breaks when needed, and we usually find that clients enjoy the process, particularly some of the activities involved in the ADOS.

After we have completed the assessment the findings are discussed by out multidisciplinary team and an agreement is reached about diagnosis. We will arrange a feedback session with you, either in person, online or over the telephone. During this feedback session we will explain to you how we reached our conclusion and give you a detailed explanation of your profile. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have and we will discuss any particular strategies or supports we think might be helpful to you. If we feel that further assessments or interventions are needed we will make recommendations and sign post you to services we think might be useful.

We will send you a detailed assessment report, which confirms the diagnostic outcome and details the recommendations we spoke about during the feedback session.

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 a Nurse Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working within NHS Neurodevelopmental Services, supporting children, young people and adults with a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions.

I originally qualified from the University of Dundee as a Learning Disability Nurse in 2005, followed by Mental Health Nursing in 2008.

After completing my Nursing Degree, I went on to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Practice in 2019.

I am also a Non Medical Prescriber with a particular focus on sleep, emotional regulation and neurodevelopmental presentations.

I am currently undertaking a Masters level research project exploring the diagnosis of Autism.

Over the last ten years, my clinical work has centred on the assessment and diagnosis of Autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan.

I am trained in the delivery of both the 3Di and ADOS 2 assessments and have extensive experience working with adults whose needs may have been overlooked earlier in life.

My professional passion is working alongside neurodivergent children, young people and adults, helping them and their families develop a clearer, more affirming understanding of their strengths, needs and identity.

I feel privileged to work with such a diverse group of individuals and continue to learn from them every day.

Qualifications:

  • BSc Nursing
  • PG Dip Advance Practice
  • Registered Independent and Supplementary Prescriber

Dr. Louise Loughran

I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in NHS Neurodevelopmental Services and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services across Scotland.

Throughout my career I have specialised in the assessment and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions, and I am passionate about delivering high quality, compassionate care for children, teenagers and adults.

My particular area of interest has always been Autism, and I have extensive experience in both CAMHS and Autism Assessment Teams, where I have worked for many years.

Alongside this, I have developed significant expertise in ADHD assessment across the lifespan, including the complexities of identifying ADHD in girls, women and adults who may have been missed earlier in life.

I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Glasgow and have undertaken extensive specialist training in Autism assessment (including ADOS), ADHD assessment, neurodevelopmental disorders, and family based approaches.

My clinical background includes many years working in NHS Greater Glasgow as a Principal Psychologist, where I played a key role in developing and delivering high quality Autism Assessment services.

I have always particularly enjoyed working alongside individuals and families to build a clearer, more affirming understanding of neurodiversity.

Whether supporting a child, a teenager or an adult seeking clarity later in life, I aim to provide assessments that are respectful, collaborative and grounded in the person’s lived experience.

Qualifications:

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
  • PG Dip Cognitive Psychology
  • ADOS Certified
  • HCPC Registered