ENS - Autism Assessments
Autism assessment for adults in Scotland
If you’re wondering whether autism might help explain your experiences, Equilibria Neurodivergence Service (ENS) offers private autism assessments for adults aged 18 and over.
Our assessment considers your experiences across life, including communication and relationships, sensory differences, routines, interests and the impact of daily demands. We aim to understand your individual strengths and support needs as well as any difficulties you may be experiencing.
A questionnaire or single assessment tool cannot diagnose autism on its own. Your clinician considers information from different sources and discusses the assessment with our multidisciplinary team before the outcome is finalised.
Who can refer?
You can contact us directly to enquire about an assessment. We also accept referrals from GPs and other healthcare professionals.
If you are already having an ADHD assessment with ENS, autism may be considered as a separate assessment pathway if it is clinically relevant. We will explain why further assessment is being suggested, what it involves and any additional fees. You decide whether you wish to proceed.
Autism referrals do not need to complete the online ADHD screening process, instead we will direct you to our Autism screening process.
The Assessment Process
1. Application and background information
We’ll ask you to provide information about what has led you to seek an assessment, your health and developmental history, and any adjustments that would help you take part. We may also ask about someone who knows you or your childhood, and about relevant records.
Out screening questionnaires will be used to help your clinician understand your experiences. They support the assessment but do not confirm or rule out autism.
2. Initial appointment
At your first appointment, your clinician will discuss your reasons for seeking an assessment, your current experiences and your developmental background. Topics may include communication, relationships, sensory experiences, routines, interests, education, work and everyday life.
Following this appointment, the case is reviewed by our multidisciplinary team. The team may recommend continuing to a comprehensive assessment, gathering more information, or considering another service or form of support. If further assessment is not recommended, we’ll explain the reasons and provide a written summary with relevant recommendations or signposting.
3. Comprehensive assessment, if recommended
If the assessment proceeds, your clinician will explore your current experiences and developmental history in more depth. With your consent, information may also be gathered from a family member or another person who knows you well, and from relevant records.
Where appropriate, your clinician may use structured assessment tools, such as the ADOS-2 or ADI-R. The choice of tools depends on your circumstances and the clinical questions to be answered. No single tool or score determines the outcome.
4. Multidisciplinary review
Before the outcome is finalised, the assessment is reviewed by our multidisciplinary team. The team considers the information gathered, how it relates to the diagnostic criteria, your day-to-day experiences and any other relevant or co-occurring conditions.
Receiving Your Outcome
5. Feedback and written report
We’ll arrange a feedback discussion to explain the findings and give you time to ask questions. You’ll receive a written report whether autism is confirmed, not confirmed, or the evidence remains uncertain.
The report will explain the information considered, the clinical reasoning and any relevant limitations. It will also include recommendations based on your needs and circumstances.
If the outcome is uncertain or autism is not confirmed
An assessment may not always lead to a clear diagnosis. If the available information is insufficient, your report will explain what remains uncertain and what further information, assessment or review may help.
If the diagnostic criteria for autism are not met, we’ll explain the findings and consider other possible explanations for your experiences, alongside recommendations or signposting based on your identified needs.
Developmental information and collateral
Information about childhood can help build a picture of how your experiences have developed over time. If possible, you may wish to involve a parent, sibling, partner or another person who has known you for a long time.
If no childhood informant or records are available, this does not automatically prevent an assessment. Your clinician will consider what other evidence is available and explain how any gaps affect the assessment.
Adjustments and support
Please tell us what would make the process easier for you. Depending on your needs, adjustments may include written information, a quieter environment, breaks, extra time or support from another person.
We’ll discuss your strengths, preferences and support needs as part of the assessment. Recommendations and signposting may be provided whether or not autism is diagnosed.
Support following diagnosis
A diagnosis is not the end of the process. If Autism is confirmed, we can work with you to consider what support is likely to be most helpful.
This may include:
Psychoeducation
Autism-informed psychological therapy
Coaching and practical strategies
Support with organisation and time management
Workplace or educational recommendations
Any treatment plan will be personalised and agreed with you.