Neurodevelopmental services

Consultation

The neurodevelopmental team will contact you to learn about your child and their development. They will talk to you about the information provided in your referral. They may ask you about:

• Your child's birth
• Your child's early developmental milestones
• Childhood illnesses
• Your health and experiences
• Your home situation

Some of these questions might feel quite intrusive. The team will only ask you for information that will help them understand your child's health and development.

Your child's personal health record (red book) may help you answer some of the team's questions.

The team will review the information from this consultation. They'll make a plan for your child's assessment. They will send you a letter to tell you about the assessment plan.

Assessment activities

Each neurodevelopmental assessment is different. It depends on the needs of the child or young person. The assessment may include:

• Questionnaires for your family and your child's school to complete
• A visit to your child's school, or a home visit if your child is under 6 years old
• Specialist assessment by a speech therapist, occupational therapist, nurse or clinical psychologist
• For younger children - a play-based assessment to assess their social communication skills
• For older children - answering some questions, talking about things they like and don't like, and some games and puzzles

Each activity gives the team a chance to observe your child in different situations. It allows them to get to know them on a one-to-one basis.

The team might ask you to wait in the waiting room during some parts of the assessment. They will explain why they are asking you to do this.

After the assessment

The neurodevelopmental team provide a diagnostic assessment-only service. They will meet with you to explain the diagnosis and support that can be offered.

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.

If a diagnosis is not given, the neurodevelopmental team 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.