Type of service: Assessment, Diagnostic services

The Fife Autistic Spectrum Team (FAST) provides a multi-disciplinary autism diagnostic clinic led by a child and adolescent psychiatrist and including professionals from clinical psychology, paediatrics, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. The team deals with all referrals in Fife for children suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Referrals are accepted (of children and young people 3-18 years) from Health Care Professionals after liaison with GP and/or Consultant. The FAST team run clinics ar Fair Isle Clinic, Stratheden Hospital and Carnegie Clinic. Follow-up appointments and key worker allocation are given if required.

Assessment procedure: Introductory home visit by a member of the team. Liason with child's nursery or school. Clinical appointment which includes assessment of child and cognitive and autism-specific assessment, interview with parents, feedback and discussion on way forward, follow-up and referral to other professionals if required.

Follow up service: Yes, follow-up appointments are given if required. Key worker allocation if required.

Multi-disciplinary assessment: Yes, professions involved: Clinical psychology, psychiatry, paediatrics, speech and language therapy, occupational and art therapy.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Referral Sources: NHS Only

Covers: Fife

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific

Other specialisms: , Interest in dual diagnosis e.g. Tourette syndrome