Currently under review
Please note that this page is currently under review, please contact the Neurodevelopment team on 0300 707 1446 or alternatively email wwl-tr.neurodevelopmentpathway@nhs.net for more information.
If your child is on the autism spectrum, getting a diagnosis and a better understanding of their needs can be a positive thing, allowing you to access the right support.
Here you will find information about autism, the referral process, what you can expect to happen during the assessment and the support available after your child’s diagnosis.
Signs of autism
Although the signs of autism vary widely among children and adults, there are 2 common characteristics:
- Difficulties with social communication and interaction - autistic people may find it hard to join in conversations or to make friends
- Repetitive behaviour, routines and activities - such as fixed daily routines, repetitive body movements, resistance to change and a hypersensitivity to certain sounds, lights, colours and other things.
How can my child get assessed?
Visit your GP if you’re concerned your child may be on the autism spectrum. For children at school, you can also contact the school's special education needs coordinator (SENCO) for advice.
If appropriate, the GP will refer your child for a formal assessment by a paediatrician. It may be useful to keep a behaviour diary leading up to any appointments as the paediatrician will ask you a number of questions about your child’s difficulties.
What happens during the assessment?
To confirm an autism diagnosis, the paediatrician will need:
- A signed consent form from the parent/carer
- Information from your GP and nursery/school about your child's development, health and behaviour
- A speech and language assessment
- Observations of the child’s specific skills and activities
- Checks for any other physical health conditions and mental health problems
- Parent questionnaires to gather developmental and family history
- Any other reports your child may have such as occupational therapy, educational psychology or any other agencies involved with your child.
Once the paediatrician has gathered all the relevant information, your child’s case will be referred to the autism pathway manager and presented to a panel of specialists.
What is an autism panel?
This multi-agency panel is made up of professionals including a paediatrician, a speech and language therapist, psychologists and other health and education specialists.
They will discuss and assess the information presented, and identify the key behaviours your child shows. The key behaviours will be compared with the criteria in the assessment tool, which is a diagnostic checklist for autism (known as a DSM 5).
If all the criteria on the DSM 5 are met, the panel will agree a diagnosis of autism.
After diagnosis
The Autism pathway manager will ring you to share the decision made at panel and talk you through what will happen next. Each family will be offered parent training and support after diagnosis.
The pathway manager will send a letter to you and the school confirming the diagnosis.