Type of service: Assessment, Diagnostic services, Training providers, Training providers

Service URL: http://www.awp.nhs.uk/services/specialist/autism-spectrum/

The Bristol Autism Spectrum Service (BASS) is a small multidisciplinary team providing a service to adults with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) and the services that support them. The key aims of the service are to help people with an ASC to access a range of appropriate mainstream services and to improve the ability of these services to work effectively and efficiently with this client group. What we do: (1) Assess and diagnose people who are referred to us by their GP. (2) Support colleagues in mental health services to assess and diagnose. (3) Social support assessments to people who have been diagnosed by our team. (4) Weekly advice service with groups on mindfulness, managing anxiety, social cognition and interaction, as well as an opportunity to book one to one sessions with our staff. (5) Post-diagnostic support - psycho-education, coping strategies and signposting. (6) Training in Asperger syndrome and ASCs ranging from one hour awareness sessions to a full days training. We do not hold a caseload or care coordinate. We currently accept referrals for people within Bristol, North Somerset, BANESand South Gloucestershire. Referrals outside of these areas can be seen on a cost per case basis, subject to funding being agreed by the referring clinical commissioning group. We offer a monthly advice service for adults with autism spectrum conditions at The Campus, Highlands Lane, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS24 7DX. To make an appointment or for more information contact BASS@NorthSomerset on 01275 796200 / 0776888821 or by email to awp.AutismNorthSomerset@nhs.net

Assessment procedure: Individuals are invited to attend 2 assessment appointment lasting about 1.5 hours each and are asked to bring with them an informant if possible, for example, a parent or a partner.

Follow up service: When an individual is given a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition, they have the option of attending a 6 session post-diagnostic support group. They also have the opportunity to access a need's assessment from a Social Worker on the team.

Aimed at: Adult

Referral Sources: NHS Only

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific

Approaches and tools used: ADOS, DISCO