Adult Autism Diagnostic Service

This leaflet provides you with information that you will find useful about the Autism Diagnostic Service. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please get in touch with the administrator, Autism Services at Keegan Court, Grassbanks, Gateshead. Contact details are at the end of this leaflet.

We assess people over the age of 18 years old, for potential Autism Spectrum Disorder. This includes:
• Adults who have longstanding difficulties managing change
• Adults who find social interaction and communication problematic
• Adults who may have additional sensory differences.

The service is available in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.

We have an open referral system. This means anyone can refer themselves or on behalf of someone else if they have given consent.

Referrals should be made to the Autism Diagnostic Service using the referral form available from the administrator, Autism Services.

Autism Diagnostic Services
Adult Neurodevelopmental Services
Keegan Court
Grassbanks
Gateshead
NE10 8DX
Tel: 0191 287 6250
Email: [email protected]

Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk.

The assessment will consist of a minimum of two appointments, conducted by clinical specialists in autism from different professional backgrounds.

An initial assessment will be carried out with one of the clinical specialists. This will last approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

The developmental interview be carried out by a different clinical specialist. This will last approximately two hours.

The assessments are at locations within Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead. You will be sent an appointment with the relevant information including directions for both appointments.

We encourage people to bring someone with them (perhaps a parent) who can tell us about their early childhood. This is important to collect the information about early developmental milestones. We are also happy for you to bring a friend/partner for moral support and to provide us with an outside view of how you cope.

It would also be helpful if you could bring with you any school or medical reports.

After the 2nd interview the assessors will decide whether they have enough evidence to make a diagnosis using established diagnostic criteria.

There will be three possible outcomes at this point:
• There is enough evidence to confirm a diagnosis
• We will need to offer more assessment to gain further evidence to determine diagnosis.
• You do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If you want to contact us or have a suggestion which would make the service better please tell a member of staff or write to:

Autism Diagnostic Services
Adult Neurodevelopmental Services
Keegan Court
Grassbanks
Gateshead
NE10 8DX
Tel: 0191 287 6250
Fax: 0191 287 6251
Email: [email protected]

Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk.

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:
• talk to the people directly involved in your care
• ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk (click on the ‘Contact Us’ tab)
• telephone the Complaints Department 0191 245 6672
• email [email protected] Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk
• We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention.
You can provide feedback in the following ways:
– the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/poy
– complete a Points of You survey, available from staff.

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2022 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref, PIC/689/0320 March 2020 V9
www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2025