Autistic Spectrum Conditions

Get in touch to discuss which one of our team of specialists would be the most relevant for you to speak to.

We specialise in providing compassionate, comprehensive care for individuals with autism.

What is autism?

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder characterized by differences in social interaction, communication, and behavior. It is called a "spectrum" disorder because it encompasses a wide range of symptoms and severity levels. Individuals with autism may have difficulties with social skills, such as understanding social cues and forming relationships, and may engage in repetitive behaviors or have restricted interests. They might also experience challenges with communication, ranging from delayed speech development to difficulties in understanding and using language effectively. The exact causes of autism are not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Autism is typically diagnosed in early childhood, although some people may not receive a diagnosis until later in life. With appropriate support and interventions, individuals with autism can lead fulfilling lives.

What causes autism?

The exact causes of autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), are not fully understood, but it is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic research indicates that multiple genes may contribute to the risk of autism, affecting brain development and function. Environmental influences, such as prenatal exposure to certain infections or chemicals, complications during birth, and advanced parental age, may also play a role. Neurobiological studies reveal differences in brain structure and connectivity that could impact social and behavioral functions. Overall, autism is a complex condition with no single known cause, and ongoing research aims to further elucidate the interplay of these factors.

Diagnosing autism

An ASD diagnosis in adults can bring valuable clarity, helping to explain challenges with social interactions, communication, and sensory sensitivities that may have been misunderstood before. It opens the door to tailored support, such as therapy, coaching, and practical strategies, which can improve daily functioning and reduce stress. A diagnosis also promotes self-awareness, helping adults recognise their strengths and areas for growth, leading to greater self-acceptance. Ultimately, understanding ASD can improve relationships, career development, and overall quality of life by offering tools to manage challenges and thrive.

What does the assessment involve?

Our online ASD assessments take place over two one-hour consultations, designed to provide a thorough and supportive evaluation.

Appointment 1: We’ll explore your current social circumstances, family history of mental health or neurodiversity, and any past physical or mental health challenges in your own life. We will then carefully review your life history, including your experiences during your childhood and adult life.

Appointment 2: We’ll look at how autism presents in your daily life today, including sensory sensitivities, social experiences, routines, and thinking style.

You'll also receive some questionnaires to complete, helping us build a complete picture of your strengths and challenges. Our goal is to make the process clear, comfortable, and insightful.

> For an online autism assessment with one of our specialist psychiatrists contact us here.

Post-Diagnosis Support

Receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood can be a transformative experience, often bringing clarity but also raising new questions. At Edinburgh Adult Psychiatry, we offer a holistic, individualised approach to post-diagnosis support, helping autistic adults understand their strengths, manage challenges, and access the right care for co-occurring conditions.

A further general psychiatric assessment can be invaluable for autistic adults, helping to identify and treat common co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and ADHD, which often go undiagnosed. Research shows that:

Up to 50% of autistic adults experience anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and OCD.

Around 40-50% have depression or other mood disorders, often linked to social isolation, sensory overload, or difficulties with emotional regulation.

Up to 50% also meet criteria for ADHD, which can impact focus, organisation, and impulse control.

A thorough psychiatric assessment provides an opportunity to explore your treatment options for co-morbid mental health conditions. Treatment options could include medication, psychological therapies or ASD coaching.

At Edinburgh Adult Psychiatry, we specialize in neurodivergent-informed assessments, helping autistic adults access the right care to enhance well-being and quality of life.

> For an online mental health assessment with one of our specialist psychiatrists contact us here.

Post-Diagnosis Support: ASD Coaching

ASD coaching for adults on the autistic spectrum offers personalised support to help manage the unique challenges of daily life.

Coaches work with individuals to improve social skills, communication, and emotional regulation, while also helping to navigate sensory sensitivities, executive function challenges, and stress management.

They provide strategies to create structure, enhance self-advocacy, and build confidence in both personal and professional settings.

With ongoing guidance and support, ASD coaching helps adults with autism develop practical tools to thrive and lead more independent, fulfilling lives.

> To book an initial appointment with our specialist ASD Coach contact us here.

Post-Diagnosis Support: Workplace Needs Assessment

A Workplace Needs Assessment identifies the challenges autistic adults may experience at work and recommends practical adjustments to help individuals work more effectively, reduce stress, and enhance well-being.

What It Involves?

Identifying Challenges: Addressing areas like communication, sensory sensitivities, time management, and task prioritisation.

Building on Strengths: Finding ways to work with your natural skills and preferred working style

Tailored Recommendations: You’ll receive a clear, structured action plan with practical solutions for you and your employer. This may include:

Workspace modifications (quiet zones, noise-cancelling headphones)
Flexible working arrangements
Communication and task management support
Self-advocacy strategies

Why It’s Helpful?

Workplace adjustments can boost productivity, confidence, and job satisfaction, while also helping employers meet their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Whether its self-funded, funded by Access to Work funding or directly by your employers, these assessments provide personalised solutions to help autistic adults thrive in their careers.

> For an online initial appointment with our specialist Occupational Therapist contact us here.

Post-Diagnosis Support: Nutrition

Adults on the autistic spectrum may struggle with sensory sensitivities to food textures or tastes, limited food preferences, and difficulties with meal preparation. They may also experience digestive issues and find social mealtime expectations stressful. Disruptions to eating routines can cause distress. Tailored strategies can help improve food intake, nutrition, and overall mealtime experiences.

A registered dietitian can help manage these challenges by offering strategies to improve food intake, sensory integration, and overall nutrition.

> For an initial online appointment with our specialist dietician contact us here.

Post-Diagnosis Support: Sleep

Autistic adults often experience sleep difficulties, such as trouble falling asleep, frequent waking during the night, or waking up too early. These issues can stem from sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or difficulty with establishing consistent sleep routines.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is an effective, structured approach to improving sleep in autistic adults. It helps address common sleep challenges such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and early waking, which are often linked to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and rigid routines.

CBTi focuses on practical strategies, including:

Sleep restriction to consolidate sleep and reduce nighttime awakenings.

Stimulus control to strengthen the bed-sleep association.

Cognitive techniques to manage anxiety and racing thoughts.

Relaxation strategies tailored to sensory needs.

Sleep hygiene adjustments considering autistic sensitivities (e.g., light, noise, and temperature).

By adapting CBTi to individual sensory and cognitive preferences, autistic adults can develop healthier sleep patterns, leading to improved mood, focus, and overall well-being.

Behavioral Sleep Therapy (BST) can help by teaching strategies to improve sleep hygiene and create a calming pre-sleep routine.

Light therapy, which involves exposure to bright light at certain times, can help regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle, especially for those with irregular sleep patterns.

Chronotherapy, which gradually shifts sleep times, can also be effective in resetting sleep schedules. These approaches can help improve sleep quality, reducing daytime fatigue and enhancing overall wellbeing for adults with autism.

For an initial online consultation with our Sleep Therapist contact us here.

Melatonin can help adults with ASD who have irregular sleep patterns by regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It supports falling asleep at a more typical time, especially for those with delayed sleep phase. It should be used under professional guidance to ensure proper dosage and timing.

Sleep Medications

For autistic individuals struggling with persistent sleep difficulties, medication can be a helpful option when behavioral strategies aren’t enough. At Edinburgh Adult Psychiatry, our specialists offer expert guidance on safe, tailored treatments. We’ll walk you through your options, discuss benefits and risks, and provide recommendations to your GP or private prescriptions— including newer medications like Daridorexant, not yet widely available on the NHS in Scotland.

Daridorexant:

Approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in April 2024 for adults with chronic insomnia, Daridorexant helps with falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up refreshed. Unlike traditional sleep aids, it improves sleep without next-day grogginess, making it a promising long-term solution for ASD-related sleep difficulties.

For an initial online appointment with one of our psychiatrists to discuss sleep medication contact us here.

Together, these approaches can help adults with ADHD improve sleep quality, leading to better focus, mood, and overall wellbeing.

Dyslexia and Dyscalculia in Adults with Autism

Dyslexia is a learning difference affecting reading, spelling, and writing due to how the brain processes language. It’s not linked to intelligence and can be improved with the right support. 20–40% of autistic adults also have dyslexia, compared to 5–10% of the general population. Early identification enables better-targeted support.

Dyscalculia is a difficulty in understanding numbers and math concepts, unrelated to intelligence, but tied to how the brain processes numerical information. 20–40% of individuals with autism also experience dyscalculia, compared to 5–7% in the general population.

Edinburgh Adult Psychiatry provides specialist assessments for both dyslexia and dyscalculia in adults. Online appointments are available to explore if an assessment is suitable.

> Contact us here to arrange.

Our clinical team

Get in touch to discuss which one of our team of specialists would be the most relevant for you to speak to.

> Enquire here.

Dr John Ferguson

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. John Ferguson is a highly experienced Consultant Psychiatrist with a strong background in neuroscience, mood disorders, ADHD, and sports psychiatry. He holds a dual degree in Medicine and Neuroscience from the University of Aberdeen, where his fascination with the brain and consciousness first took shape.

Dr. Ferguson began his psychiatry training in Edinburgh in the early 2000s, drawn to the field for its emphasis on understanding people’s lives and experiences. Over the years, he has worked across both NHS and private settings, providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual.

With a special interest in neurodevelopmental conditions and mood disorders, Dr. Ferguson is particularly motivated by personal insight and a deep belief in his patients' capacity for recovery and growth.

Qualifications:

MBChB – University of Aberdeen

BScMed Sci (Neuroscience) – University of Aberdeen

MRCPsych

Outside of work, he enjoys open water swimming, playing chess, and practicing mindfulness. He lives in East Lothian with his family and their dog, Maisie.

> To book an appointment contact us here.

Dr. David Crocker

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. David Crocker is a thoughtful and compassionate Consultant Psychiatrist with a special interest in ADHD and general adult mental health. He studied Medicine at King’s College London, where his fascination with the mind and the vital role of mental health in overall well-being began.

After graduating in 2013, David spent his early medical career in Cornwall, followed by additional training in expedition medicine. In 2018, he moved to Edinburgh to begin his core psychiatry training, gaining broad clinical experience across diverse mental health settings. He became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2022.

With a personal connection to ADHD, David understands the frustration many feel when trying to be heard. His approach is empathetic, non-judgemental, and personalised, with a strong focus on truly listening to each patient’s story.

Qualifications:

MBBS – King’s College London

BSc (Hons)

PgDip in International Diploma of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine (IDEWM)

MRCPsych

David lives in Edinburgh and enjoys mountaineering, racquet sports, and spending time with his dog, Winston.

> To book an appointment contact us here.

Jenny O’Shea

Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Assessor and Tutor

Jenny O’Shea is a specialist assessor and tutor with a passion for understanding and supporting neurodivergent learners. After moving from Newcastle to Edinburgh for university, Jenny developed a keen interest in psychology and education. With her extensive background—from primary teaching to advanced studies—she is committed to helping individuals overcome challenges in reading, writing, and working with numbers. Her personalised approach ensures that each learner receives the targeted strategies and support they need to thrive.

Qualifications:

Level 5 OCN Dyscalculia and Mathematical Learning Difficulties: Identification and Intervention (ongoing)

MEd Languages, Literacies and Dyslexia (AMBDA Enhanced) with Distinction – University of Birmingham

Additional Support for Learning (SpLDs) PGCert with Distinction – University of Edinburgh

PGDE Primary – University of Edinburgh

MA in Psychology and Philosophy – University of Edinburgh

Outside of work, Jenny loves spending time with her family outdoors, reading, and watching films at the cinema.

> To book an appointment contact us here.

Oana Oancea

Registered Dietitian

Oana Oancea is a highly experienced Registered Dietitian with over 10 years of expertise in mental health and eating disorders across both NHS and private sectors. As the Lead Clinical Eating Disorder Dietitian for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, she has a special interest in women’s health and neurodiversity, including how nutrition impacts ADHD.

Oana takes a compassionate, practical approach, helping clients build a healthier relationship with food by challenging unhelpful patterns, debunking nutrition myths, and overcoming limiting beliefs.

Qualifications:

Honours Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

Passionate about education, she writes for magazines, hosts webinars for dietetic students at Queen Margaret University, and has recently completed a book on supportive strategies for parents of fussy eaters.

> To book an appointment contact us here.

Dr Claire Watt

Occupational Therapist

Claire Watt is an experienced Occupational Therapist with over 15 years working across NHS Scotland and private care, specialising in both hospital and community mental health. Claire takes a holistic, strengths-based approach, supporting individuals with ADHD, autism, and other conditions to overcome everyday challenges and build meaningful, fulfilling routines.

Claire offers a range of practical services including Workplace Needs Assessments, Occupational Therapy Assessments, and Access to Work application support, all tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

Qualifications:

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy – Robert Gordon University (2009)

Outside of work, Claire enjoys walking, jogging, CrossFit, and quality time with her husband and two young daughters.

> To book an appointment contact us here.

Dr. Rebecca Hammersley

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Rebecca Hammersley is an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist with specialist expertise in addiction psychiatry, general adult mental health, and neurodevelopmental conditions. She graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 2012 and completed her postgraduate psychiatry training in Edinburgh, becoming a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2017.

Dr. Hammersley has a subspecialty endorsement in Addiction Psychiatry and spent a year working with the perinatal psychiatry service in 2022. During her training, she also gained extensive experience in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments.

Since 2022, she has worked as a Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist and is the clinical lead for an NHS community addiction service. Known for her empathetic, non-judgemental, and holistic approach, she specialises in treating co-occurring mental health and substance misuse issues.

Qualifications:

MB ChB – University of Edinburgh (2012)

MRCPsych – 2017

Based near the sea with her husband and young family, Rebecca enjoys paddleboarding and playing the piano in her spare time.

Dr. Amy Martin

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Amy Martin is a compassionate and dedicated Consultant Psychiatrist with specialist expertise in adult mental health, addictions, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Since 2022, she has led an NHS community addictions service, providing high-quality, stigma-free care to individuals with complex needs.

After graduating with honours in medicine from the University of Aberdeen in 2013, Dr. Martin moved to Edinburgh in 2016 to complete her psychiatry training and postgraduate exams, becoming a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2018.

Amy has a strong interest in the assessment and treatment of conditions such as anxiety, mood disorders, psychosis, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. She believes in listening deeply, valuing individual strengths, and tailoring care to each person’s unique needs.

Qualifications:

MB ChB (Hons) – University of Aberdeen (2013)

MRCPsych – 2018

Based in Lothian, Amy enjoys powerlifting competitions and spending time outdoors when not at work.

> To book an appointment contact us here.

Jess Sweet

Neurodivergent Coach

Jess Sweet is a compassionate coach who specialises in supporting autistic adults. With both professional expertise and lived experience of neurodiversity, Jess offers personalised coaching focused on mental health, emotional resilience, and life skills.

Previously an Autism Specialist at the University of Edinburgh, she has extensive experience providing tailored individual and group support. Jess draws on her background in psychology, counselling, and coaching to help clients build confidence, develop self-advocacy skills, and create meaningful change.

She offers support in areas such as social interaction, sensory management, career exploration, time management, and self-esteem.

Qualifications:

MSc in Psychology – University of Edinburgh (2020)

SCOTACS Diploma in Individual & Group Counselling (CBT Approach) – Centre of Therapy & Counselling Studies, Glasgow (2023)

COSCA Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling – Grounded Learning, LLC (2021)

Originally from Miami Beach, Florida, Jess began her career as a professional opera singer before transitioning into mental health. Outside of coaching, she enjoys dance, movement, and spending time with animals—especially dogs!

> To book an appointment contact us here.

Fees

New patient psychiatric assessment (one hour) - £350

Follow up consultation (30 mins) Consultant - £170

Private prescription - £25

Private controlled drug prescription - £30

All payments must be made at the time of booking by card payment.

Cancellation Policy

We operate a strict cancellation policy for appointments. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the appointment will be charged the full rate. Failure to attend appointments will also be charged the full rate. Cancellations can be made by emailing admin@edinburghadultpsychiatry.co.uk or phoning 0131 364 4758