Autism & ADHD

The Anchor Practice is proud to be working in partnership with the Autism & ADHD Assessment Hub (AAH), enabling adults, children and families to access high-quality private autism and ADHD assessments in Edinburgh, conducted in our clinic rooms at 28 Forth Street, Edinburgh.

Why this partnership matters

Many people begin to suspect autism, ADHD, or a combined profile (often referred to as AuDHD) after years of feeling “out of step” — at school, at work, in relationships, or within family life. What’s needed at that point is not only speed, but clarity: an assessment process that is clinically rigorous, humane, and genuinely useful in guiding next steps. AAH was founded to address the need for professional, personalised diagnostic assessments delivered in a timely manner, and has expanded across the UK.

AAH’s approach is multidisciplinary and aligned with national guidance, including NICE frameworks.

Their assessments use well-validated tools and methods, selected to build a rounded picture rather than relying on any single measure. Depending on the pathway, this can include gold-standard autism instruments such as ADOS-2 and ADI-R, and ADHD components such as the QB test (objective attention/impulsivity metrics) and structured clinical interviews including ACE(+) and (Young) DIVA-5. Importantly, AAH ensures that at least one part of the assessment is completed face-to-face, supporting careful behavioural observation alongside history-taking and collateral information.

AAH also emphasises a neurodiversity-affirmative stance: personalised, supportive care that aims to be positive, accepting and empowering for clients and families. Their Edinburgh hub model includes community engagement, reflecting a wider commitment to understanding and inclusion.

From diagnosis to meaningful support

A diagnosis is rarely the end of the story. It can be profoundly relieving, but it can also stir complex feelings in young people and adults alike, and raises practical questions about education, workplace adjustments, family dynamics, and identity. AAH explicitly frames diagnosis as one step in a longer journey, with post-assessment therapeutic support provided by skilled clinicians at The Anchor Practice.

The Anchor Practice’s depth oriented psychotherapeutic approach is particularly complementary here. We are a specialist mental health clinic in central Edinburgh, with clinicians trained to the highest standards and extensive experience supporting neurodiverse children, adolescents, adults and families. Our work is depth-focused: psychotherapy that aims not only to reduce symptoms, but to understand underlying emotional patterns, relationships, and developmental history. For some people, especially where neurodivergence intersects with anxiety, low mood, trauma, attachment disruption, or family stress, this kind of in-depth therapy can provide a containing space to integrate a new understanding of self (or child), and to build more sustainable ways of coping and connecting.