Type of service: Diagnostic services, Interventions and therapies

Service URL: http://www.autismnortheast.org.uk

We are a non-profit-making organisation providing high quality and in depth assessments and interventions for children and adults with potential Autism Spectrum Conditions. As a highly experienced team of Clinical Psychologists, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists and a Specialist Occupational Therapist, we are trained and experienced in the use of standardised diagnostic tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS 2), and we provide standardised Psychometric assessments (WISC, WAIS), Speech and Language assessments such as the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF) and Occupational Therapy assessments looking at Sensory Processing and Developmental Co-ordination skills.

We offer individualised interventions and provide liaison with other professionals, schools/nurseries, and work environments. We normally meet people in our clinic rooms in Clara Vale and Tynemouth, but can travel to families on occasions when necessary.

Assessment procedure: Our assessment process is multi-disciplinary and includes:

* Full Developmental History taken from parents and the individuals as appropriate, School/Nursery observation and/or liaison, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Psychometric Assessment, Speech and Language Assessment and Occupational Therapy Assessment.
* At the end of the process we meet as a team for a diagnostic meeting with our Consultant Psychiatrist (for Children and Adolescents) and pull together all of the information to reach a conclusion regarding diagnosis.
* We then meet with our clients to go through feedback about our conclusions and discuss next steps.
* We provide a full and comprehensive report for each client we assess which we provide in PDF format so that this can be easily shared as appropriate.
* Follow up service: we offer post diagnostic work for children, their parents, adults and other professionals such as teachers or employers. We are happy to stay involved for as long as families feel this is useful, continuing to provide follow up input if appropriate, and/or referring to other agencies better placed to support families.
* Multi-disciplinary assessment: Yes, involving Clinical Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. We have a multi-disciplinary meeting to discuss all of the information gathered, including Psychiatry for children/adolescents, and reach a conclusion about whether or not a diagnosis will be made and onward steps. We also spend time deciding what the strengths and needs of each individual are, and what action is appropriate.

Eligibility Age: For people of any age (not from 3 as stated in the age section below)

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Child

Referral Sources: Private Only

Covers: North East

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific, Staff and volunteers get autism awareness training

Other specialisms: Autism, ADHD, Challenging behaviour, Learning disability/difficulty, Developmental language disorders, Developmental Co-ordination Disorders, Anxiety Disorders.

Registrations and professional qualifications: Dr Lucy Walker Haywood, Principal Chartered Clinical Psychologist, CPsychol, DClinPsy, BSc (Hons) Dr Hayley Atkinson, Principal Clinical Psychologist, DClinPsy, MSc, BSc (Hons) Dr Jenny Milne – Consultant Clinical Psychologist; DClinPsy, MSc, BSc (Hons) Dr Debbie Cottrell – Principal Clinical Psychologist; DClinPsy, BSc Joint Hons Dr Helen Taylor Specialist Clinical Psychologist; DClinPsy, BSc (Hons) Dr Elinor Dennison – Principal Clinical Psychologist; DClinPsy, BSc Joint Hons Ms Sarah Jamieson – Specialist Speech and Language Therapist; BSc (Hons), MA Mautism, MRCSLT, MASLTIP Mrs Vikki Pestell – Specialist Occupational Therapist; PGCert, BSc (Hons) 

Approaches and tools used: ADOS