Type of service: Diagnostic services

Brookdale Care is an independent provider of hospital, residential and supported living care for people with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs). We employ a team of Consultant Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists to support our residents to understand their autism and to develop coping strategies to overcome their anxieties and to develop independent living skills. Our therapists are trained to use Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS-2) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) to provide accurate diagnostic assessments to identify if an individual is on the autism spectrum. This service is available for adolescents and adults from 16 years old looking for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis..

Assessment procedure: The Diagnostic Assessment is conducted by 2 clinicians using Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). The aim is to provide a definitive diagnostic opinion about the presence, or not, of an autism spectrum condition (ASC). The participant attends the clinic for a half day assessment session. It is extremely beneficial if the participant is accompanied by a parent so that the ADI-R assessment can be conducted at the same time.

Follow up service: The services range from a straight forward diagnostic assessment of autism spectrum condition (ASC) conducted in a single day; through to a 3 day assessment of ASC plus assessment of co-morbid psychiatric disorder, assessment of intellectual ability, assessment of communication ability, and assessment of sensory differences.

Multi-disciplinary assessment: Yes.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult

Referral Sources: NHS and Private

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Challenging behaviour, mental health and learning difficulties, Learning disabilities, challenging behaviour, mental health and autism, Learning disability

Approaches and tools used: ADI-R, ADOS