Type of service: Diagnostic services, Child Development Centres (CDC)

Service URL: http://www.mkchs.nhs.uk

Assessment for social communication difficulties are catered for by preschool and school age assessment both multidisciplinary but different professionals involved. They involve information gathering (parents and pre/school), observations and formal assessment. Both are multiprofessional and end with multiprofessional meeting and feedback to parents.

Assessment procedure: School age autism spectrum disorder/social communication disorder referral to paediatrician from health professional, who then decides which other professionals need to be involved in process e.g. may be Clinical Psychologist and/or Speech and Language Therapists. Questionnaires sent to parents and school to gather information. Assessment may include ADOS/3Di/school visit. Multiprofessional meeting and feedback to parents.

Follow up service: There is a follow-up service i.e. therapy services when appropriate; paediatrician, only if ongoing medical concerns.

Multi-disciplinary assessment: Yes, multi disciplinary assessment/approach is used. The professions involved are Clinical psychology; paediatrics; speech and language therapy; occupational therapy; and, physiotherapy depending on presenting disorder.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child , Young person

Referral Sources: NHS Only

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Learning disability