Private Autism Diagnostic Assessment For Adults (16 +) in Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland
Autism Diagnosis Scotland & UK | ASD Diagnosis Scotland & UK | Aspergers Diagnosis Scotland & UK
Background
Anne Marie Gallagher BSc, RCSLT, ASILTIP is a Speech and Language Therapist with more than 25 years experience delivering both diagnostic assessment and intervention for autistic adults with NHS Scotland.
Anne Marie has worked with autistic adults within mental health services and learning disability services.
Her clinical focus over the last 20 years has been in identifying autistic adults.
Many individuals who are diagnosed in adulthood with ASD, have had a long history of involvement with mental health services for the treatment of conditions such as social anxiety, recurrent depression, OCD, personality disorder, bipolar disorder and eating disorders.
Through diagnostic assessment, Anne Marie identifies core differences in thinking styles and perceptions of the world.
She aims to support the individual to develop a greater sense of self and support them to identify strategies to develop and maintain emotional and psychological well-being.
Anne Marie Gallagher
BSc, RCSLT, ASILTIP
Experience
Anne Marie was involved in creating SIGN 145, the national clinical guidelines for the assessment, diagnosis and interventions for autism spectrum disorders.
She has provided training and has certified 150+ clinicians across NHS Scotland in the use of the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO), a leading diagnostic clinical assessment tool.
Anne Marie has worked for NHS boards on a consultancy basis, carrying out diagnostic assessments for adults with local clinicians in order to provide locally based assessments while providing the opportunity for experiential learning to promote clinical capacity of local services to better serve this client group.
Anne Marie is able to provide diagnostic assessments across the UK or internationally using Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc.
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TESTIMONIALS
30-Year-Old Female, Surrey
“As I had gone thirty years living with undetected, undiagnosed Autism, I was incredibly anxious about finding an assessor who would take my concerns seriously. I spent many hours searching the internet, and chose Connect to Autism as Anne Marie had such positive reviews. Anne Marie’s website also openly confirmed she took masking into consideration … Read more
41-Year-Old Female Artist from Liverpool
“I had a lot of anxiety about getting diagnosed but Anne Marie was reassuring from the start. She communicated really clearly, making the process easy to understand. She clarified quickly the difference between ‘symptoms’ commonly discussed in books and online, and the ‘evidence’ that would be necessary for a diagnosis. The diagnosis itself was really … Read more
42-Year-Old Female, Manchester
“I contacted Anne Marie after a challenging experience in another assessment, to see what my next steps might be. Anne Marie was generous with her time and advice and we agreed it would be worthwhile to go for assessment. The assessment process was thorough and informed: it’s really clear that Anne Marie really understands ASD … Read more
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FAQs
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.
I have not had my assessments rejected by any service, that includes both NHS and local authority.
I always suggest that if you are looking for the diagnosis to be accepted by any service, GP, MH services psychology etc, that you discuss my credentials with them and ascertain if they will accept it before you commit to an assessment. For this purpose, I have added below information about my experience.
I was the clinical lead for 20 years with Scotland's largest Adult Autism Team Autism, my private assessments follow the same format as my NHS assessments.
I am an author of SIGN guidelines.
I sat on the national steering group at the Scottish Government where I have led a working group on increasing competencies across health to diagnose autism spectrum disorders.
My assessments are underpinned by the DISCO assessment (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders) and I was the Scottish trainer for DISCO up until 4 years ago when the license ceased after Lorna Wing's death. I have trained 300+ clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and paediatricians to recognise and diagnose autism.
Please get in touch via the contact form to receive the most up-to-date waiting times.
No, unfortunately I only assess individuals aged 16+
No, I do not assess for ADHD/ADD/dyslexia. I do, however, have experience of doing adult diagnostic assessments for individuals with these co-occurring disorders.
Unfortunately, I do not offer face-to-face assessments.
Yes if you are comfortable with them being there then they are welcome to join. It is often helpful for them to attend as it allows them also to fully understand the full impact of ASD on your life.
Yes, as this is always the starting point.