Child and Adolescent Pathway: Assessment Procedure

Chase Lodge Autism and ADHD is committed to providing a thorough Child and Adolescent Pathway for families interested in undertaking assessments for your neurodevelopmental concerns like autism and ADHD. Our multidisciplinary team of clinicians will work closely with you as the parent/caregiver so you know that your child is receiving high quality and individualised service through the Child and Adolescent specialised Pathway. Each child is different in how they present, and every assessment is trialled with the utmost care and consider their developmental, medical, and educational needs. From the first point of contact to post-diagnostic support, our structured Child and Adolescent Pathway aims to allow you to know we will direct you at each stage and we will enable you to gain clarity throughout the assessment process.

If you choose to proceed with the Child and Adolescent Pathway assessment at Chase Lodge Hospital, the clinicians will explain the fees, provide necessary questionnaires, and determine whether the assessment should be virtual or in-person. The hospital administration will then coordinate with you to schedule the assessment at a convenient time.

Before the assessment, we kindly request that you share any reports from previous professionals who have worked with your child, such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, or paediatricians. You will also be provided with questionnaires that should be completed at least one week before the appointment. These questionnaires are vital to gathering information on your child’s development and current functioning as part of the Child and Adolescent Pathway.

The Child and Adolescent Pathway at Chase Lodge Hospital includes a team of Consultant Paediatricians, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Clinical Psychologists. They work together to provide comprehensive care based on your child’s unique needs. The assessments follow NICE guidelines and may include one or more of the following options:

This option is ideal for children under 5 or for older children with uncertain neurodevelopmental profiles.

Assessment Includes:

  • Pre-clinic questionnaires to gather contextual information from school, parents, and professionals involved in your child’s care.
  • A 2-hour interview with structured questions for parents/carers, and a developmental and physical assessment at Chase Lodge Hospital.
  • A 30-minute feedback session on the same day (or later if more information is needed).

Post-Diagnostic Support for Paediatric Developmental Assessments:

After diagnosis, multidisciplinary support is available, including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Clinical Psychologists.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team. The assessment has five components:

  • Pre-clinic questionnaires.
  • A detailed interview with a parent or guardian.
  • An ADOS-2 assessment administered by a specialist.
  • A multidisciplinary discussion and feedback session.
  • A comprehensive report sent within 28 working days.

Post-Diagnostic Support for Autism Assessments:

Chase Lodge Hospital provides multidisciplinary support after the diagnosis, including speech therapy, clinical psychology, and occupational therapy.

ADHD is diagnosed by a team of experienced professionals through four main components:

  • Pre-clinic questionnaires.
  • A detailed interview with a parent/guardian.
  • A 30-minute feedback session.
  • A comprehensive report sent within 28 working days.

Post-Diagnostic Support for ADHD Assessments

Following an ADHD diagnosis, support is available, including behavioural interventions, educational assistance, and access to workshops.

Conditions such as Developmental Coordination Disorder or Mental Health Disorders can be assessed upon request. Depending on the type of assessment, specialists within the Child and Adolescent Pathway will work together to evaluate and provide comprehensive care.

Post-Diagnostic Support for Co-occurring Conditions:

After a diagnosis, Chase Lodge Hospital provides multidisciplinary support via the Child and Adolescent Pathway to establish achievable goals for your child’s development and education.

Child and Adolescent Pathway
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We are here to help you navigate the process of assessment and support for autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Whether you're seeking more information, need to discuss your individual needs, or want to book an appointment, our team is ready to assist you.