This is a multidisciplinary assessment team that assesses children and young people aged 5 to 18 years for autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). On this page you will find information about the referral process, who is in the team, and what to expect before, during and after an assessment.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition which affects how people communicate and how they experience the world around them, meaning that autistic people can interact and interpret the world in unique ways compared to neurotypical people.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people regulate their attention, movement and impulses. These behaviours can make it harder for a child to pay attention, follow directions, and manage their energy. This can affect learning, relationships and everyday life at home and school.
Books can be a powerful way to help children and young people understand neurodivergence and feel represented. There are lots of themed book suggestions, including:
Visit our useful resources page or explore the Just One Norfolk ND Library for more information about autism, ADHD and neurodevelopmental support.
You or your child can be referred to the Neurodevelopmental Service (NDS) by the school SENDCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). Information is needed from more than one environment, for example, home and school.
If the young person is home-schooled or out of school, the GP can make the referral. Detailed information from parents and information from other professionals will need to be included as part of the referral.
The Neurodevelopmental Service supports children and young people under the age of 18. If you're aged 17 years and 8 months or older and seeking an autism assessment, please speak to your GP about alternative assessment providers.
Below are some of the assessments your child may need. Your child may only need one or two of these assessments. Some children will need several.
A variety of other types of assessment may be carried out, so please contact us on 01553 668712 or email us at nds@nchc.nhs.uk for more information.
It is essential all appointments are attended. Please be aware should you and your child fail to attend one appointment, you will be contacted to ascertain whether you wish to continue with the referral. If two scheduled appointments are not attended, or are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, your child will be discharged from our service and your GP or health professional will be informed.
One-Day Assessment Clinics - concept trials coming soon
We are trialling one-day assessment clinics to explore more efficient ways of assessing children and young people referred to our post 5 service for autism and/or ADHD assessment.
Families of children selected for the pilot will be contacted directly and supported throughout the process. These clinics will be run on a trial basis and results will be evaluated to identify if this concept could support a new assessment process.
Those not included in the pilot will remain on the existing post 5 assessment pathway.
Testing these new approaches with small groups will help us improve the assessment process for all families. Find updates about our Transformation Project and we welcome your feedback.
In order to keep a fair and accessible service it is important parents and carers notify the NDS regarding:
The NDS is a diagnostic assessment-only service. Following a diagnosis, you will be provided with a pack containing information about autism and/or ADHD, as well as information about the additional resources and support services available.
NDS clinicians also support the delivery of 'Puffins', a 4-week information group coordinated by Family Action and designed for caregivers of autistic children and young people. Read more about Puffins Autism Programme.
We are currently developing a 2-session information group for caregivers of children and young people with ADHD.
If a diagnosis is not given, the NDS will feedback the reasons and factors that have influenced this decision. You will still be provided with the assessment reports and a summary explaining the non-diagnosis. We are currently developing an information pack for young people who have not received a diagnosis.
Our frequently asked questions provide answers to your queries about the assessments.
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We’re asking young people to talk about what it’s like to use our services and share ideas.
