The Edinburgh Practice offers ‘gold-standard’ autism assessments for children, ensuring that families can access expert clinical support for their children and teens in a timely manner.
The Assessment Process
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed by gathering evidence from the young person, their family and by completing a clinical assessment. As a team we gather information from different sources to see if the child/young person meets the diagnostic criteria for autism or whether their presentation can be better explained by something else, for example, anxiety or learning difficulties. Our autism assessments for children are led by our child and adolescent team; a multidisciplinary group of clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and a specialist speech and language therapist. In order to provide a ‘gold-standard’ service, we have chosen to use a range of clinically recognised tools. Below is a guide of how our assessments typically proceed.
Stage 1: Initial consultation
The first stage of our assessment process involves an initial consultation. The purpose of this consultation is to give you the opportunity to meet with a member of our team to discuss your child’s presentation and provide some details about your child’s developmental history. Where applicable, both parents or guardians and the young person should attend this meeting which will last approximately one hour.
Following this initial consultation, if full assessment is indicated, we will provide you with a questionnaire to give to your child’s nursery/school to fill out and return to us. We will also need to contact the school/nursery to verify information. This information is vital to the diagnostic process and is essential for us to have prior to us meeting your child.
Stage 2: The core assessment
As parents/guardians, you will meet with one member of our team to complete the ADI-R. This is a standardized interview which includes in-depth questioning relating to your child’s early years and developmental history and has been proven to be highly useful for diagnosing individuals with Autism. It is a gold standard assessment tool and is recommended in current national guidelines.
Your child will also attend the practice to complete the ADOS-2 assessment for Autism. This is a semi structured, standardised assessment which is designed to identify behaviours that are typically related to a diagnosis of Autism. This is also a gold standard instrument recommended in current national guidelines. This play-based observational assessment involves your child playing with specific toys and undertaking various tasks with a member of the team whilst their interaction is being observed by another team member.
Stage 3: Diagnosis
Following the completion of these assessment processes, the team meet to discuss the young person’s case and the information that has been gathered during the assessment process. The information is mapped onto the DSM-V criteria for Autism and a decision is reached regarding diagnosis. If all information is available, the team would hope to feedback to you within 14 days of the clinic assessment.
In some cases, further assessment may be required if it is determined that further clarification and observation would be useful to the assessment process. Examples include a nursery/school observation, an additional speech and language assessment, or a review by a child psychiatrist. If this is the case then the rationale and timing for the further assessment will be discussed.
Report & recommendations
Following completion of our assessments a written diagnostic report will be completed. We will aim to have this report finalised approximately 4 weeks after completion of our assessment.
Stage 4: Post-assessment support meeting
Whether or not your child receives an Autism diagnosis, we understand that the whole process and outcome may have been challenging for you as a family. Receiving a positive Autism diagnosis for a child can feel overwhelming, and each individual will have differing emotions following the diagnosis. Equally, parents of children who do not receive a diagnosis and where the origin of their child’s difficulties appear to point elsewhere can also feel overwhelmed and helpless as to what to do moving forward. For this reason, we have structured in a ‘follow-up’ meeting, approximately one month after your child’s assessment. This meeting allows you the opportunity to go through the report again if necessary and get clarity on any outstanding queries. Whatever the outcome of the diagnostic assessment, you will be provided with practical resources and recommendations for local services and support groups that may be helpful for you and your family.
Our Fees
£1950
Autism assessment for children and young people
This Monday, ‘M’ stands for Mental Health Myths!
💛Mental health matters and so does the truth! Stigma around mental health isn’t just a barrier, it’s a wall that keeps people from seeking help, sharing their stories and finding comfort within their community. The impact of stigma can also worsen mental health difficulties!
💛At TEP, we believe in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health by challenging myths and creating an encouraging culture where everyone feels safe to seek the support they need. We encourage you to talk openly about mental health myths, listen compassionately to others experiences and support one another!
💛Let’s be part of the solution, not part of the problem!
#mentalhealthmyths #theedinburghpractice
Happy Friday! This #fridaycheckin we are checking in with your sleep with our Clinical Director, Dr Fiona!
💭Sometimes, the pace of everyday life barely gives us time to stop and rest. It can make getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis seem like a dream.
😴Sleep is an important part of our daily routine and is essential for good health and wellbeing. Dr Fiona discusses why we may be struggling with sleep, what is “healthy” sleep and the effect of sleep on one’s mental health! Watch until the end for her top tips for a good night’s sleep!
💤We encourage to check in with your own sleep routine as it is as important as diet and exercise!
#sleep #fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice #mentalhealth
Today as part of ADHD Awareness Month our Head of Growth and Operations, Hazel and Assistant Psychologist, Frances headed down to Atria One (@atriaone) to share more information about our services and assessments to a range of businesses!
Head to our website (link in bio) to find out more about our gold standard ADHD assessment and support services for children, young people and adults.
#adhdawarenessmonth #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
👋 Welcome back to our Monday ‘M’ series! This week, ‘M’ is for Minute!
We all have moments when emotions can start to take over and sometimes, we just need to ‘take a minute’ to step back. The STOPP technique is a powerful tool from CBT than can help us pause and respond to challenging situations in more helpful ways.
How to use STOPP:
✨ Practise the first 2 steps often for a few days
✨ Read through the steps often
✨ Carry written reminders with you or use the STOPP app
✨ Practise it by running through all the steps several times, every day, even when you don’t need it
✨ Start to use it for little upsets
✨ Gradually, you may find that you can use it for more distressing situations
Like any new habit or skill, we need to practise it and eventually it will become automatic.
#TakeAMinute #MentalHealth #CBT #TheEdinburghPractice
Welcome back to another #fridaycheckin! This week we are checking in with our new Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Alex Beadel.
Dr Alex prioritises creating an open, empathetic, non-judgemental, and reassuring environment where young people feel safe and understood. He believes in a collaborative approach, ensuring that a young person’s unique needs and preferences guide the treatment journey.
At TEP, our psychiatrists have expertise across a range of areas including;
💛ADHD
💛Autism
💛Anxiety and Panic Attacks
💛Depression
💛OCD
💛Social and behavioural difficulties
💛Trauma
💻For more information about psychiatry, head to our website (link in our bio).
#fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice #childpsychiatry #psychiatry
🌟 October is ADHD Awareness Month and this years theme is ‘Awareness is Key’.
💡 ADHD is much more than what meets the eye. It affects people in different ways, often falling under two categories: Inattention and Hyperactivity & Impulsivity. Many people experience a combination of both. In Scotland, approximately 5% of children and between 2-4% of adults are diagnosed and living with ADHD. Though the exact statistics are unknown because data on ADHD is not currently being routinely published and it is thought that many people may not have obtained a diagnosis or be receiving treatment.
🧠 The exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, although it is thought a combination of factors are responsible. ADHD tends to run in families and in most cases, it’s thought the genes inherited from parents are a significant factor in developing ADHD. However the way ADHD is inherited is complex and is not thought to be related to any single gene.
🤝 While ADHD can present challenges, it can also bring unique strengths! People with ADHD can be adventurous, creative and resilient, just to name a few! Society can sometimes focus on the negatives of ADHD but there are so many skills and abilities beyond neurotypical counterparts. We want to challenge and break some common myths surrounding ADHD!
💛 Let’s celebrate the diversity in how ADHD minds work and raise awareness to support those who live with it every day. The more we know, the better we can offer understanding and help create spaces where everyone can thrive. At TEP, we offer gold-standard ADHD assessments for children, young people, and adults. We also offer post diagnostic support for children, adults, parents/carers and families, delivered at the practice, online and/or in educational settings.
#ADHDAwarenessMonth #ADHDStrengths #Neurodiversity
This Monday, ‘M’ is for Mantras!
🧘♀️The term ‘mantra’ means an instrument of mind or thought. It can be a word, sound or phrase that is rhythmically repeated during meditation.
💭Mantras can occupy the mind in a way that stops your normal train of thought and allow you to clear your mind. They have the power to focus the mind, body and breath in unison towards a certain goal, intention or purpose.
Using mantras in your meditation and in your day to day life may help with:
💛 Stress management
💛 A positive outlook
💛 Increased self-awareness
💛 Anxiety
💛 Low mood
💛 Cognitive functioning
💛 Staying focused on your goals
🫶Mantra-meditation can be helpful for times where you feel anxious, stressed or low. It can also be great for practicing mindfulness and bringing the attention back to self.
#mantramondays #mentalhealth #meditation #theedinburghpractice
Happy Friday! We’re back for our #fridaycheckin and today we are checking in with our body.
In today’s fast-paced world, burnout is more common than ever and our wonderful Sport Psychologist, Dr Zoe, is giving us some insight into how to prevent burnout.
😌 Taking the time to incorporate different types of rest is essential for maintaining our overall wellbeing. The different types of rest include:
🛏️ Physical rest: We often think of rest as just lying down or sitting, but it can also include stretching, taking a nap, getting a massage, or taking short breaks.
🧠 Mental rest: We live in a world that is always ‘on’, and it can be challenging to unplug. Mental rest can include turning off your phone, taking a break from social media, or practicing meditation.
💛 Emotional rest: Take a break from the emotional demands we face every day. This can include spending time alone, reducing stress where possible, talking to a trusted friend, practising self care, or spending time in nature.
🙋♀️ Social rest: We are social beings, but socialising can also be draining. Social rest can include spending time alone, considering when you want to socialise & when you don’t want to, or having a solo picnic, hike or lunch.
🔇 Sensory rest: We are constantly receiving sensory input from noise, light, and other stimuli and it can be overwhelming. Sensory rest can include turning off the TV, closing your eyes, spending time in a quiet room, listening to calming music, or practising deep breathing.
Remember - rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity! Embracing and prioritising the different types of rest can help us live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives 😊
#theedinburghpractice #fridaycheckin #checkinwithourbody
This week is OCD Awareness Week!
At TEP, we are supporting and sharing awareness for #OCDweek. This worldwide event by @iocdf serves to dispel myths about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), break the stigma around mental illness, and provide education about the disorder and how to support those affected.
OCD affects 1 in 100 adults and 1 in 200 children but can be overlooked and belittled as a personality quirk or choice. In reality, OCD is a very real mental health difficulty that affects people of all ages and walks of life.
OCD is an anxiety disorder involving obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease distress. Compulsions can be internal (mental) or external behaviours.
Research has shown that most people have unwanted intrusive thoughts from time to time, but in the context of OCD, these intrusive thoughts come frequently and trigger extreme anxiety, fear, and/or disgust that gets in the way of day-to-day functioning.
At TEP, we offer psychology and psychiatry services to support individuals with OCD. Please head to our website (link in bio) to find out more or to submit a self-referral.
#OCDweek #ocdawarenessweek #theedinburghpractice #mentalhealth
Happy Monday everyone! Today’s ’M’ word is mental fatigue. Mental fatigue occurs when we overwork our minds for an extended time. This happens when our brains receive too much stimulation or our minds have to maintain an intense level of activity without rest.
We can think about mental fatigue as running on a low mental battery. We might be more forgetful, stressed, or irritable - clear signs that our brain needs a break! Ignoring these signals can lead to burnout.
Although mental fatigue can feel daunting, there are ways to recharge our minds:
🛑 Take breaks - It’s important to allow ourselves time to rest. Whether it’s a short walk, a nap, or disconnecting from our phones for an hour.
🧘♀️ Practice a meditation - A brief meditation can help you relax your mind, offering a much needed relief from the demands of the day.
🏃♂️ Stay physically active - Even just 20-30 minutes of moderate physical activity can boost our mood and give us a burst of energy.
🛏️ Prioritise sleep - A lack of good-quality sleep can lead to both physical and mental fatigue. Try to maintain a regular sleep routine as irregular sleep patterns can disrupt our internal clock.
🧹 Declutter your space - A cluttered environment often adds to stress without us realising it. Tidying up our workspace or living area can help free up mental energy.
🛁 Practice self care - Small moments of intentional self-care, like a hot bath or reading a good book, can go a long way in reducing mental strain.
✍️ Write down your thoughts - Journalling can be a helpful outlet for our thoughts and worries, giving us a space to process and make sense of them.
🎯 Focus on one thing at a time - Mental fatigue often stems from feeling overwhelmed by too much on our plate. Prioritise tasks and try focusing on just one thing at a time.
🤝 Connect with supportive people - Sometimes, connecting with friends or family can provide the grounding and perspective we need. A supportive conversation can help us feel more centred and less mentally drained.
This is your reminder to take care of your mental energy, and don’t be afraid to hit the reset button when needed!
Happy Friday Everyone, this Friday we are checking in with our goals!
👩⚕️Our lovely Clinical Psychologist, Dr Madeline, discusses how goal setting does not have to be daunting and walks us through how to make SMART goals.
💛SMART goals can help us define what we want to achieve:
S-pecific: The goal is clearly defined.
M-easurable: The goal is quantifiable.
A-chievable: The goal is realistic and achievable.
R-elevant: The goal is aligned with your values.
T-ime bound: The goal has a deadline.
📚Using this approach and dividing larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks can make the whole process less overwhelming.
We encourage you to check in with your goals or create some new goals to reset and recharge!
#fridaycheckin #goalsetting #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
Today is World Mental Health Day, and we’re proud to support the @mentalhealthfoundation’s campaign. This year’s theme is ‘Workplace Mental Health’, focusing on the crucial role of mental wellbeing in the workplace for the benefit of individuals, organisations, and communities.
Our work environments significantly impact our mental health. A positive work experience can provide purpose, boost self-esteem, and foster connection. However, for many work can be a source of stress and anxiety, potentially leading to or worsening mental health difficulties.
With so many of us spending a large portion of our lives working - whether in offices, communities, or from home - it’s essential that workplaces prioritise mental health. By doing so, we can enjoy the benefits of work while minimising its potential negative impacts. A mentally healthy workplace should support open and honest conversations about mental health, as well as providing staff training on topics such as mental health and trauma, discrimination, and bullying.
TEP are joining the campaign by hosting a ‘Tea and Tunes’ day today. We’ve transformed our meeting room into a space for movement and connection, inviting Team TEP to come together for tea, dancing, and to support mental wellbeing.
#WMHD2024 #WorldMentalHealthDay2024 #TeaAndTunes #WorldMentalHealthDay
We are delighted to introduce our new Adult Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Derek Dickson!
🩺 Dr Dickson brings a wealth of experience from his extensive work within the NHS, specialising in the assessment and treatment of adults, both in inpatient settings and within the community. His key areas of interest include the diagnosis and management of ADHD, mood disorders, and personality challenges.
✨ As our referral rates continue to grow, we are delighted that we will be able to reduce our wait times for Adult Psychiatry appointments and Adult ADHD Assessments at TEP.
💛 Welcome to Team TEP, Dr Dickson! We`re excited to have you on board!
This Monday, ‘M’ is for Mental Health Stigma.
🧠Mental health difficulties are common, statistics vary but it is commonly reported that now 1 in 3 people will be affected by mental health difficulties in Scotland in any one year. Despite this, there can still be stigma (a negative attitude) surrounding mental health difficulties.
⚠️Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental health difficulties can be subtle or obvious—but no matter the magnitude, stigma can lead to harm. People with mental health challenges can be marginalized and discriminated against in various ways, but understanding what that looks like and how to address and eradicate it can help.
💛At TEP, we actively strive to break mental health stigma by talking openly about mental health on our social media channels, being conscious of the language we use and showing compassion to our clients who may be struggling with the impact of stigma.
💪We challenge you to reflect on any stereotypes that you may hold and to consider the potential impact of these on yourself and others.
#mentalhealthstigmamondays #mentalhealthstigma #theedinburghpractice
This #fridaycheckin we are checking in with our Play Therapist, Ellen Stevens.
🧸 Play Therapy gives children a safe, supportive space to express their thoughts and emotions. Through play, Ellen engages with children using toys, games, and art materials to help navigate challenges and work through difficult emotions.
⭐️ With a background in theatre and a passion for fostering creative expression, Ellen pursued specialised training in therapeutic interventions for children. She has experience working with a wide range of needs, including anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, ADHD, autism, communication difficulties and trauma.
💻 To learn more about Play Therapy, visit our website - link in bio!
