Type of service: Diagnostic services, Child Development Centres (CDC)

The service provides a multi-disciplinary diagnostic service for children in Lancaster and Morecambe of pre-school age with delayed development including Autism.

Assessment procedure:
Referrals for children with social communication difficulties will be triaged weekly.
A questionnaire will be sent to parents before the initial appointment and information gathered from nursery if appropriate. 
Initial appointment for developmental history and assessment with the paediatrician.
Investigations will be arranged if necessary. 
Speech and language therapist will assess in the home and nursery setting.
Diagnosis will be considered by Paediatrician and Speech therapist with additional information from Education and other professionals who are involved with the child.

Follow up service: 
Follow up will be arranged dependant on need with the Paediatrician and Speech and Language therapist - usually until the child has started in school. 
Nursery will arrange for Educational psychologist assessment and educational support as required.
Speech and language therapy.

Multi-disciplinary assessment: 
In addition to paediatrics and speech and language therapy access to other services such as , educational psychology, specialist teacher, physiotherapy and occupational therapy where necessary.

Eligibility: preschool

Aimed at: Child , Young person

Referral Sources: NHS Only

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Learning disability