Autism and ADHD assessments

Children can be diagnosed as autistic when they’re quite young, in some cases from the age of two. But not everyone is diagnosed early in life. It’s quite common for a child to not get their diagnosis until they are older, or even an adult, particularly if they don’t have accompanying learning disabilities. Additionally, children can be diagnosed with ADHD from an early age and the signs of ADHD become more apparent when their circumstances change eg. the move from pre-school to primary school but again some people aren’t diagnosed until they are an adult.

 Some of the main signs that a child may be on the autism spectrum include:

  • not drawing their parents’ or others’ attention to objects or events, for example pointing at a toy or a book, or at something that is happening nearby (or a child may eventually do this, but later than expected)
  • carrying out activities in a repetitive way, for example always playing the same game in the same way, or repeatedly lining toys up in a particular order
  • resistance to change or doing things differently
  • emerging difficulties with social interaction and social communication
  • a child becoming distressed or overwhelmed especially in busy situations. This may result in them hurting themselves or others.

Some main signs of children having ADHD are:

  • a short attention span and being easily distracted
  • making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
  • appearing forgetful or losing things
  • being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
  • constantly fidgeting
  • being unable to concentrate on tasks

The NHS website has a fuller list the signs and symptoms of autism and ADHD

If you think your child may have Autism or ADHD it is best to discuss your concerns with your Health Visitor (for pre-school children) or SENCo in the first instance.  The diagnostic process is complex and needs to be completed by a team of professionals with different expertise.  There are currently long waits for autism and ADHD assessments due to a significant increase in demand but support should be put in place via the Graduated Pathway before having a diagnosis.  Education settings have a “needs led” approach and so a diagnosis should not change the support your child requires.  You should speak to your child’s Education setting in the first instance if you have concerns. Please see the Getting Support in School information.

Waiting for assessment and potential diagnosis can be a difficult time for young people and parents alike. The National Autistic Society have put together a guide for parents and carers to help you through the pre-assessment and diagnosis stage.

The ADHD Foundation have an information and resource booklet for parents and carers of children and young people with ADHD called Understanding and Supporting My Child’s ADHD. This can be downloaded HERE

Social Communication and Autism Assessment Service – Autism assessments for ages 0-11

The Social Communication and Autism Assessment Service (SCAAS) is hosted within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. SCAAS is a multi-agency team comprising of Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Paediatricians and an Occupational Therapist who work closely with Education colleagues to assess children under the age of 11 for autism. https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/cyp-glos/scaas/

Referrals in to SCAAS can be made by any Health, Education or Social Care professional working with the child or young person.  Before a referral is made for an assessment a Team Around the Child meeting should be arranged to bring professionals together to explore your child’s needs and agree the support your child needs.  Following the meeting professionals and parents should be in agreement that there is Social Communication need requiring further assessment prior to a referral being made. 

 Visit the Autism Assessments page for more details Autism Assessments for Children and Young People - Schoolsnet (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

Paediatric ADHD Clinics – ADHD Assessments for ages 6-11

Support can be put in place via the Graduated Pathway before having a diagnosis of ADHD.  Education settings have a “needs led” approach and so a diagnosis should not change the support your child requires. You should speak to your child’s Education setting in the first instance if you have concerns. Please see the Getting Support in School information.

ADHD assessments for children and young people aged between 6-11 are carried out by the Community Paediatric Service within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Referrals to the Community Paediatric Service can be made via your child’s GP.

 A referral is more likely to be accepted if the GP can include good quality supporting information from the education setting with the referral. This should include:

  • A Completed "Supporting Information from Education Setting" form
  • Evidence of significant inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity in multiple different settings e.g. home, school, extra-curricular, for at least 6 months
  • Any information from school outlining your child’s needs
  • A copy of your child’s My Assessment 
  • A copy of your child’s MyPlan+ or EHCP (or equivalent). All children must be on the Graduated Pathway prior to referral.
  • SENCo reports and previous Early Years SENCo reports, if available. Please note: the service is unable to see home schooled children at present.
  • Reports from the Educational Psychology Service (if involved)
  • Reports from the Advisory Teaching Service (if involved)
  • Therapy reports (if involved)

Referrals for ADHD assessment will only be accepted if the supporting evidence demonstrates it is causing significant impairment in the different domains of everyday life and across settings.

For information: ADHD medication for children is not licensed below the age of 6 and so referrals for younger children will not be accepted.

CAMHS Neurodiversity Team – Autism and ADHD Assessments for ages 11-18 years

The CAMHS Neurodiversity Team is a small multi-disciplinary team including a Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and a Care Navigator as well as support from Psychiatrists. The CAMHS Neuro Clinic screen for and assess neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism and and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The assessment also considers differential diagnosis and other factors which may be contributing to the child’s presenting difficulties eg. developmental speech disorders, trauma, sensory issues, or an intellectual disability. https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/cyp-glos/camhs/

Referrals in to the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team can be made by any Health, Education or Social Care professional working with the child or young person.  Before a referral is made for an assessment a Team Around the Child meeting should be arranged to bring professionals together to explore your child’s needs and agree the support your child needs.  Following the meeting professionals and parents should be in agreement that there is Social Communication need requiring further assessment prior to a referral being made. The professional completing the referral will put together supporting information for the referral, including a Parent/Carer Neurodiversity Questionnaire completed by you. When a referral has been submitted to the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team the referring professional will provide you with information on the next steps.

Visit the Autism Assessments page for more details Autism Assessments for Children and Young People - Schoolsnet (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

Autism assessments for adults are undertaken by the Autism Spectrum Condition service within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust Autism Spectrum Condition Service > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (ghc.nhs.uk). The ADHD Service within Gloucestershire Health and Care undertake ADHD assessments for adults ADHD Service > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (ghc.nhs.uk)

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