Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service
This service provides specialist expertise in the assessment and management of children and young people up until the age of 18 years with complex neurodevelopmental disorders.
Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service
The Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service helps children and young people who may have conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This service is for families who live in Sutton, Merton, Wandsworth, Kingston, and Richmond.
Referrals
Most referrals for assessments go through a team called the Single Point of Access (SPA) in each borough. If you think your child needs an assessment it is best to ask your child’s school for help with the referral. Schools can give useful information about your child’s challenges and strengths, and they can explain what has already been tried to help your child and how well it worked. Schools and families play a big role in checking if a child needs an assessment.
Referral process
- Referral made to SPA via your borough
- SPA triages* information shared, they will contact the referrer if they need further information
- SPA sends a screening pack to family to gather information on the CYP’s developmental history and other needs. The school forms included in this pack too
- SPA screens* forms
- SPA shares referral with the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team
*Please note that the SPA team at triage or screening stage may determine that an assessment is not needed, this will be based on their clinical review of the information that has been shared on the CYP’s needs. In these scenarios, the SPA team will signpost families to other support available to meet their needs.
Please see your local borough CAMHS page for information on the age thresholds and how to make a referral.
Assessment waiting time
If your child is chosen for an assessment after the screening, they will be put on our waiting list. We only do assessments and diagnoses, so we cannot give help or support before or after the assessment. For support, please check your borough's local page or the CAMHS resource library for available resources.
If you need to contact us while you are waiting, you can email us at ndtcamhsadmin@swlstg.nhs.uk
Our waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) for children and young people are longer than usual at the moment, for further information see the current waiting times.
We know many parents, carers, and young people are worried about waiting a long time for ADHD or autism assessments. This is a problem across the whole country. We are working to make the wait shorter by bringing in outside professionals to help see children and young people faster.
If your child is in crisis and needs urgent mental health support, please call the South London Partnership (SLP):
0203 228 5980 Monday to Friday 9am – 11pm, weekends: 9am – 11pm (including bank holidays). For out of hours please ring 0800 028 8000
Assessment
Once your child is at the top of the assessment wait list, they will be invited to an appointment with the CAMHS ND assessment team. If they are on the list for both Autism and ADHD assessment, they will be invited for two separate appointments — one for each.
Autism assessment: This assessment usually means two visits:
- A parent interview to discuss your child’s developmental history and current concerns.
- A ‘play based assessment’ where your child will be observed playing games and engaging in conversation and this appointment takes approximately 45 minutes — 1 hour.
ADHD assessment: This is just one appointment where parents answer questions and the team observes the child. Average time for this appointment is 2.5 hours.
Please note that a diagnosis will not be made at either of these appointments.
After your appointment
After we complete all your assessments, the Responsible Clinician (RC) will look at all the information and make a decision.
You will then be informed of the results and receive a report about your child's strengths, needs, and recommendations.
This will be the end of the process, and your child will be discharged from the Neurodevelopmental team. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, medication might be offered, and they will be placed on the waiting list for ADHD medication.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do I need a diagnosis to access an Education Health and Care Plan?
No, a diagnosis is not a requirement to access it.
Do I need a diagnosis to access support from school or other places?
No, you do not need a diagnosis to get support. If you want help from the school, you can talk to them even without a diagnosis. There is also a lot of help from other groups that you can use without a diagnosis. Please visit your borough local offer page, view our CAMHS resource library or supporting your child or young person’s needs page.
Is there anything that I can do while I wait?
Yes, there are strategies, tips, and tools that you can try as soon as you think you need support. Please visit ?????? please complete
At what age does CAMHS start assessing Autism and ADHD?
We are funded to cover different ages for assessment across our boroughs.
Sutton, Merton, Kingston and Richmond
- Aged 5 or above, assessment for ASD
- Aged 6 or above, assessment for ADHD
Wandsworth
- Aged 8 or above, assessment for ASD
- Aged 11 or above, assessment for ADHD
How do I get my child referred for ASD/ADHD assessment?
Referrals should be made via your borough SPA team, we encourage families to make the referral via their child’s school.
When will I hear if my child has been accepted for assessment?
You will hear within one week of your referral being forwarded by SPA to Neurodevelopment assessment team. You will receive a letter confirming acceptance of referral and that your child has been placed our waiting list. This will be after the screening has been completed following the completion of forms and gathering of relevant information.
Can my child be moved up the waiting list if they are getting worse?
We are a diagnosis only team. We do not offer any wider sessions outside of the assessment appointments. Unfortunately, we don't speed up referrals to ensure fairness for everyone. Please see our resources page for advice on how to manage difficult behaviour and mental/emotional wellbeing support.
Can you recommend any private sectors for private ASD/ADHD assessment?
We cannot recommend any private companies for assessment. If you wish to find out more information about private assessments or right to choose, we recommend you discuss with your GP.
How can I find out more about neurodevelopmental conditions?
Please see our webpage on neurodevelopmental conditions.