Standard pathway
Who is referred?
Children who have significant social communication needs, confirmed or suspected Early Childhood Developmental Delay (ECDD) and associated speech, language and communication needs.
Children who have suspected autism but do not meet the criteria for the Communication and Interaction Pathway.
Children will be at least 3 years old at the time of planned assessment.
If children have started school, they may still be seen depending on:
•Their date of birth
•How long they have been waiting
•If parent carers are willing to bring their child from school
Decision making process
The following steps can take up to a month.
The Paediatrician makes a referral to the triage panel and requests a Schedule of Growing Skills (SOGS) assessment, if they have not already had one.
The Paediatrician will request further information from the child’s education setting, if the child attends one.
A list of children at panel is shared with colleagues from the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) teams at the Local Authority (LA).
The triage panel meets monthly, and consists of a Paediatrician, Speech & Language Therapist (SLT), Specialist Nursery Nurse (SPNN), Admin, and SEND representatives.
The following steps can take up to one week.
The triage panel checks the child’s health record, and the SEND team are asked to share information if the early years setting has requested support from them.
A decision is made whether the child is accepted onto the assessment pathway or not. If the child is accepted but is under 3 years old, they will be added to the ‘too young’ list until their 3rd birthday.
If the child is not accepted, then the Paediatrician is informed, and they arrange contact with the parent carers.
Letters are sent to parent carers and education setting advising of the outcome and advice line contact details.
NOTE: All timeframes provided are estimates.
Before the assessment
Six weeks notice
The Child Development Centre (CDC) admin team will call parent carers to check possible dates for assessment.
The CDC admin team send an appointment letter to parent carers with confirmed date, time and location of the assessment.
A questionnaire is sent electronically to parent carer and the early years setting to complete and return.
The Child’s name and date of assessment is shared with the Educational Psychology Service (EPS).
One week before
A Specialist Nursery Nurse (SPNN) calls parent carer to explain the process for assessment.
The Educational Psychologist (EP) may visit the child in their Early Years setting to observe and gather information.
All relevant information is collated using an autism diagnostic framework.
NOTE: All timeframes provided are estimates.
During the assessment
The family and child visit the Child Development Centre (CDC) for the assessment appointment. Professionals make observations and may complete formal assessments during the session.
Professionals discuss their observations and update the autism diagnostic framework.
Professionals give face to face detailed feedback to parent carer after the assessment and professionals discussion.
An autism diagnosis can be given on the day, if the autism diagnostic framework is met.
An autism diagnosis will not be given if the diagnostic framework is not met.
After the assessment
Aim within four weeks
A multi-disciplinary report will be finalised and sent electronically to families (with permission). The report is sent as soon as possible.
Parent carers are asked permission for copies of the report to be sent to the education setting, SEND teams, the child’s GP and the health visiting service.
The report includes a summary of the reasons for or against any diagnosis and recommended actions and advice.
The Child Development Centre (CDC) advice line is available if parent carers have further questions for 6 months after the assessment.
The multi-disciplinary report can be used for up to 12 months after the assessment to inform an Education and Health Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA), if needed.
NOTE: All timeframes provided are estimates.
Further information
Standard pathway information available to download.
Find out more in the glossary of terms
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