Social communication and autism assessment diagnostic pathways for Children and Young People (CYP)

SCAAS is hosted within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. SCAAS is a multi-agency team comprising of Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Paediatricians and an Occupational Therapist who work closely with Education colleagues to assess children under the age of 11 for autism.

For young people aged over 11 and up to 18, The CAMHS Neurodiversity Team undertakes autism (and ADHD). Similarly, the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team is a small multi-agency service which involves Clinical Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and input from Psychiatry, based in Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. The CAMHS Neurodiversity Team has recently undergone some changes to its processes to align more closely with SCAAS.

Referrals in to SCAAS and the CAMHS Neurodiversity Team can now be made by any Health, Education or Social Care professional working with the child or young person. Before a referral is made for an assessment to either service a Team Around the Child (TAC) meeting should be arranged by a professional (such as a Health Visitor or SENCo) to bring together all the professionals working with your child, alongside yourself, as their family to explore your child’s needs and agree the support that they require. Any support should then be put in place via the Gloucestershire Graduated Pathway (My Plan, My Plan Plus, EHCP or equivalent) prior to an autism assessment being undertaken. Following the meeting, professionals and family should be in agreement that there is Social Communication need requiring further assessment prior to a referral being made.

Please note - there is a long wait list for an autism assessment, therefore it is important your child is able to access the support they need via the Graduated Pathway. A diagnosis is not required for your child to access the Graduated Pathway.

Back to newsletter