What happens next?
A referral is sent, what happens next?
Referral
We receive the referral information from school/GP about your child. The team then reviews the information and if we see evidence of traits of Autism and/or ADHD, we will accept your referral.
In order to consider the referral in full, we need a developmental history from the parent/caregiver and information from school, including a completed SNAP form. If we do not see evidence of traits, or if we do not have enough information, your referral may not be accepted.
You will be informed of the outcome either way via a letter in the post.
You can access a development history form and SNAP form here.
Waiting list
If you are accepted, your child will be placed on our waiting list for an assessment. We are a diagnosis-only team so we do not provide any sessions prior to or after the assessments.
Currently due to extremely high demand, the current waiting time is 2-2.5 years. We are continuously working to reduce this time frame.
A member of our team will be in contact with you every six months to check in with you and your family. If you need to contact us in while you are waiting, you can email us at CAMHSneuroenquiries@bdct.nhs.uk
Assessment
Once your child is at the top of the list, they will be invited to an appointment with our team. If they are on the list for both Autism and ADHD, they will be invited for two separate appointments.
Autism assessment: this appointment will last 45mins -1 hour and involves some activities and having a conversation with some of the team.
ADHD assessment: this appointment will last approx. 45 mins and involves a short computer task.
Please be aware that you will not receive a diagnosis at either of these appointments.
Click here for more information for what to expect on the day of the assessments.
After your appointment
Once we have seen you for all your assessments, we will then discuss all the information we have, from the time of referral and the assessments themselves, in our Joint Assessment Clinic (JAC) where a multidisciplinary team meets to review the supporting evidence and reach a clinical decision.
After this, you will be contacted with the outcome and then you will be sent a report that details your child’s strengths, needs and recommendations.
This is the end of the process and after this time your child will be discharged from the Neurodevelopmental team. If you receive a diagnosis of ADHD, then we will offer medication and you will be placed on the waiting list for ADHD medication.