Referrals
The NAS Lorna Wing Centre for Autism is a specialist diagnostic and assessment service, so referrals are now usually at tertiary level and are made by professionals who consider that a specialist opinion is necessary.
People with a complex presentation of difficulties are the most likely to be referred. These are usually adolescents or adults. Most young children are diagnosed by local multi-disciplinary teams but occasionally children with complex needs, or about whom professionals disagree, are referred for a second opinion.
Assessment procedure
Children and adults, together with their parents or carer,s are seen for a whole day. A detailed developmental history is taken using the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO). This is a semi-structured interview designed to elicit information about the person's past history up to current day-to-day functioning. At the same time, an in-depth neuropsychological assessment is carried out with the child or adult concerned. In addition, information is collected from previous assessments and any other relevant sources.
All this information is brought together to formulate a clear diagnosis and recommendation of needs. In-depth reports are prepared. Care is taken to consider the interventions already in place and where it is possible to endorse current practice. If further intervention or new options for a person are felt necessary, guidance is given for consideration.
A clear understanding of the nature of the difficulties experienced by the child or adult concerned is very important for the person, families and professionals involved. This helps professionals working with the person and their family to provide appropriate intervention and support.
Report and findings
Findings and conclusions are explained in detail. The services needed are discussed with the person, or their parents or carers. There is plenty of time for discussion around the findings. Questions about coping with difficult behaviour and different interventions are frequent. It is possible to give some general advice but referrals are made back to local services and to the network of the national and local autism societies for specific help.
Reports with findings and recommendations are written and drafts are sent to parents or carers of children for whom they are legally responsible. In the case of adult referrals, individual decisions have to be made, because reports may contain information from sources other than the parents themselves. The final reports are sent to the referrers.
Funding
The Centre is a recognised diagnostic service and funding for appointments is obtained through the statutory authorities.
Private referrals for the full diagnostic service are not accepted.