Autism Diagnostic Assessment & ADHD Screening for Adults

Highly rated with over 20 years of experience
Diagnostic Autism Assessment for adults (16+)
ADHD Screening for adults (16+)
Carried out online via video call for your convenience
Officially recognised in the UK

Why Connect To Autism?

Finding a highly experienced and officially recognised practitioner for autism diagnostic assessments in the UK can be difficult.

That’s where Connect To Autism, led by Anne Marie Gallagher BSc, RCSLT, ASILTIP, makes a difference. With over 25 years of experience as a Speech and Language Therapist, Anne Marie has specialised in both diagnostic assessments and interventions for autistic adults within NHS Scotland.

Her extensive background includes working with autistic adults across general mental health and learning disability services.

For the past two decades, Anne Marie has focused on identifying autism in adults, especially females, and now provides private autism assessments across Scotland, England, and the wider UK.

Anne Marie Gallagher

BSc, RCSLT, ASILTIP

Core Autism Diagnostic Assessment & ADHD Services

Autism Diagnostic Assessment & ADHD Screening

An autism diagnostic assessment is a thorough process that helps me determine whether or not a person exhibits lifelong patterns of behaviour and thoughts consistent with those on the autism spectrum. Through this process, the possible presence of an ADHD profile can also be considered.

At Connect to Autism, I take great care in recognising the unique ways autism can show up in both adults and young people. No two people are the same, and your story matters.

My aim is to offer clarity, understanding, and support—so you can move through your social, professional, and personal life with more insight and confidence.

By dividing my assessment into two parts, I avoid individuals who may not meet current diagnostic criteria from paying for a full assessment.

During an assessment, we’ll gently explore how you experience communication, relationships, and social interactions in different parts of your life. These conversations will touch on both your current experiences and memories from childhood, helping me build a fuller picture of your journey.

Get in touch today with an initial telephone consultation to discover how I can help you on your diagnostic journey.

Your Diagnostic Journey

Initial Telephone Consultation (optional)

This consultation is to discuss the nature of the service and to address any queries you may have. It will explore if the service offered will meet your needs and if it would be right for you. Clients often report that just talking directly to the person who will be doing the assessment helps put their minds at ease that the service is legitimate, professional and clinically robust.

This consultation lasts up to 30 minutes and is of no cost.

Make a booking here.

* Please note: If no consultation times are suitable for you, please enquire via the contact form for another available option.

Diagnostic Assessment: Part 1

Initially you will be asked to complete an early developmental questionnaire. This is best completed by someone who knew you as a child, however if this is not possible then a self report based on your memories in childhood and what others have told you in the past is just as valid. This helps me consider if early signs of neurodiversity were present in childhood.

Signs and symptoms often present in a very slight manner, especially for females. It is not unusual for someone to think their questionnaires have no indictors of neurodiversity, however finding the evidence within what has been reported is a highly specialised clinical skill.

I will evaluate the questionnaire and will prepare further questions. A telephone consultation lasting 30-60 minutes will be scheduled (zoom calls can be requested for this part of the assessment if preferred). During this call further information may be gathered through questioning or clarification may be sought with regard to some responses on the questionnaire.

There are two possible outcomes of this consultation:
Either – It is highly likely that you will meet the diagnostic criteria for an autism spectrum disorder
OR – It is highly unlikely that you will meet the diagnostic criteria for an autism spectrum disorder

The clinical decision making will be explained in full. If I believe that you will meet criteria, you will be offered the opportunity to continue to complete a full assessment.

Diagnostic Assessment: Part 2

The diagnostic assessment is completed in 1 session lasting 2-2.5 hours. It takes place over Zoom (video). I guide you through the diagnostic criteria, identify evidence from childhood and gather evidence from your current presentation.

For adults coming forward for an assessment, I do not expect to see many symptoms or traits that are immediately apparent. It is due to masking and camouflaging the true extent of your difficulties, that autism thus far has been undetected or overlooked. Much of the evidence is to be found in thinking processes rather than outward behaviours.

Because, together we work through the diagnostic criteria, ticking off aspects of the criteria that you meet, as we go through it, there is no big reveal at the end. In the end you will be aware that you have met the criteria and you will fully understand why.

Those who undertake an assessment in this manner, report having experienced a much greater sense of self. They understand themselves much better, their challenges, their differences and their well being. They also report being able to rewrite the narrative of some aspects of their life through the new lens of autism, resulting in them becoming more lenient with themselves. Overall people report an overall bettering of their well being.

I am an accredited user of Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO). A gold standard diagnostic tool. I also held the service agreement to deliver DISCO training and to accredit clinicians, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, paediatricians, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and specialist nurses across Scotland to accurately identify and diagnose autism spectrum disorders.

Report

A full diagnostic report, approximately 4,000 words, explaining how you fulfil the diagnostic criteria will be forwarded in PDF format, by the Friday of the week in which you have been assessed.

You will also get a very short document that just states your diagnosis. If required a third document can be generated which can detail recommendations within education or work environments.

How Much Does It Cost?

Diagnostic Autism Assessment

INITIAL TELEPHONE CONSULTATION FREE

This is where you get the opportunity to discuss aspects of the diagnostic journey. You can ask about the impact of masking, trauma or sensory hypersensitivities on the assessment and discuss the potential benefits of an adult assessment. You may also want to discuss the nature of the assessment report and confirm that the reports are accepted widely to ensure it will suit your purposes. Lastly you will have the opportunity to engage with Anne Marie Gallagher, the clinician who will conduct your assessment to ensure you feel at ease with her style of engaging.
DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT: PART ONE: £300

This is the initial clinical assessment and evaluation of the early developmental questionnaire (EDQ), the outcome of which will be to say that its highly likely or unlikely that the person will get a positive ASD diagnosis.
DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT: PART TWO: Full assessment & report £1200

This is the full assessment, the outcome of which will be a report that details how you meet the diagnostic criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Recommendations for education and workplace can also be given if requested. This assessment takes place over zoom.
TOTAL COST £1500

Fees can be paid by bank transfer, UK or international.

Please note:

If none of the initial telephone consultation times are suitable for you via the booking system, please enquire via the contact form for another available option
Part 1 is via telephone however a zoom call can be requested if preferred
ADHD screening is included in the ASD diagnostic assessment.

‘The whole process was timely and very straightforward. I was more apprehensive than I expected for the full assessment, but Anne Marie was so friendly and knowledgeable that I quickly felt at ease. I would highly recommend that anyone wondering about a potential diagnosis get in touch with Anne Marie.’

Where Can I Get A Private Autism Assessment Near Me?

You can get an autism assessment online. Autism appointments are usually booked and carried out online for your convenience.

I cater to individuals from all across the UK including areas such as Glasgow, Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs, Cumbernauld, Milngavie, Lenzie and Bearsden to name a few.

A Few Words From My Clients

A Few Commonly Asked Questions

Is your diagnosis accepted by the NHS and/or local authority?

The acceptance of a private diagnosis is dependent on many factors and not just the robustness of the assessment and the experience of the assessor however I have not had any assessments rejected by any service, that includes both NHS and local authority.

If you are looking for the diagnosis to be accepted by any service, please discuss my credentials with them (as seen below) to ascertain if they will accept it before committing to an assessment.

What are your credentials?

Clinical lead for 20 years with Scotland’s largest Adult Autism Team.
Private autism assessments follow the same format as NHS assessments.
Author of SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) guidelines.
Member of the national autism steering group at the Scottish Government.
Led a working group focused on increasing diagnostic competencies across the health sector for autism spectrum disorders.
Assessments are underpinned by the DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders) framework.
Former Scottish trainer for DISCO until the license ended following Lorna Wing’s death.
Trained over 300 clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and paediatricians in recognising and diagnosing autism.

What are your current waiting times?

Please get in touch via the contact form to receive the most up-to-date waiting times.

What if I don't reside in the UK?

I have assessed many people outside of the UK including but not limited to America, Canada, and Australia. Not residing in the UK does not prohibit you from getting an assessment.

Can you assess for ADHD/ADD/Dyslexia?

No, I can only diagnose ASD but in addition to the ASD full diagnostic assessment, an ADHD screening can also be completed if the individual requests it with the outcome indicating whether or not further diagnostic assessment for ADHD would be warranted.

Does insurance cover autism assessments?

The terms and conditions of health insurance policies vary greatly and you should check your cover for your individual policy.

Do you offer a payment plan?

Payment Plan Overview

Part 1 Fee: £300 – This must be paid before Part 1 begins.
Part 2 Fee: £1200 – This is split into two instalments:
- First £600 – Due before the Part 2 assessment is completed (you can wait 3 months between part 1 and part 2).
- Final £600 – Must be paid before the final report is released.

This structure gives you up to 3 months between Part 1 and Part 2 to manage payments.

Do you offer second opinion assessments?

Second opinion diagnostic assessments, in order to be robust, should be undertaken by two clinicians. Connect to Autism would be unable to help you with this request.

Ready to find out more?

Get in touch today to discover how I can help