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Update: Children and Young People’s Autism and ADHD Assessment Service (CAAAS) Service
Published
This is a new single service for the delivery of children and young people’s autism and ADHD assessments within Gloucestershire. The service is commissioned to offer assessment when a child or young person’s presentation is having significant impact on day-to-day life.
April is World Autism Acceptance Month
Gloucestershire's Children's Autism and ADHD Assessment Service (CAAAS) offers a view on the situation with referrals after its first three months in operation.
Why is it difficult to get hold of us?
Unfortunately, as the demand for the service is much higher than was initially anticipated.
The service has needed to recruit additional administrators to manage the volume of emails and referrals. The service is currently receiving over 250 referrals per month. This has taken time and had a significant impact on the ability to communicate both with those on the waiting list and those who have just been referred. The service is exploring a range of digital approaches to help improve communication with families. We are endeavouring to continually improve the information available on our website and the Local Offer, so please always check there first to see if the answer to your query may already be available.
What does the assessment look like?
If following the screening process Autism and/or ADHD is indicated, the service will carefully consider the best assessment approach for each child and young person. Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Paediatricians, Psychiatrists and Clinical Nurse Specialists can be part of the assessment clinic teams. The assessments always comprise a developmental history, observational assessment (known as the ADOS). This is play-based for younger children, team discussion and feedback. The service will also build in conversations with education settings and schedule medical appointments if these are indicated.
How long is the waiting time?
Currently the wait time is around 2 ½ years for the majority of those referred. If a child or young person is well known to a Consultant within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, the service may not need to complete a full assessment, and for these young people the waiting time is nine months.
How do I access the courses that you offer?
Following an Autism diagnosis the service offer two parent and carer workshop opportunities, which will be discussed with you directly following feedback.
A half-day 'Introduction to Autism' course, which should be completed within six months of diagnosis.
The service also offers a six-week 'All About Autism' course, which is completed with a range of professionals including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Clinical Psychology. Any family with a child who has undergone an Autism assessment via the NHS pathway, Right to Choose or privately since January 2023 and has received a diagnosis is entitled to access the post-diagnostic 'All About Autism' course delivered by Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust. To access this, you will need to contact the service via email: caaas.team@ghc.nhs.uk
The CAMHS Parent Support Team within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust also deliver the 'Parents Plus Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children’s Programme', for parents and carers of children under the age of 11. The course can be accessed pre-diagnosis if the child is on the waiting list, or post-diagnosis. Referrals can be made by any professional working with the family.