Referrals for Under 6 Years

All children under the age of 6 will be contacted by a member of the Community Paediatric Team first and if appropriate your child's paediatrician will then refer you to the Neurodevelopmental Service for further assessment. This is to ensure a thorough medical assessment is completed and is available to Neurodevelopmental Service staff when they meet with you. 

A diagnosis of ADHD can be considered in young children but would not usually be confirmed until a child is at least 6 years of age and is settled in school. This is because it is common for children to be highly active, especially at younger ages.

You will be asked to complete a Parent Observation Questionnaire to detail some of the differences you've noticed in your child and to give the team some background on how your child has developed since birth.

Your child's educational setting will also need to complete a Teacher Questionnaire to compile evidence of your child's school experience, however, don't worry if your child is not yet in nursery, is home-schooled or out of school. Detailed information from you (plus any other information from professionals relating to neurodevelopmental difficulties/differences) will be considered.  

Find out more about the referral process here

Referrals for 6 Years +

Referrals can be accessed via your family doctor (GP) or your child's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at school. 

You will be asked to complete a Parent Observation Questionnaire to detail some of the differences you've noticed in your child and to give the team some background on how your child has developed since birth.

Your SENCO will ask for a teacher or professional in school who knows your child best to complete a Teacher Observation Questionnaire to understand how your child behaves across different settings. 

Find out more about the referral process here

Consent & Mental Capacity

Your mental capacity describes how much you understand the impact of decisions about your healthcare. Professionals must always presume that a child or young person has mental capacity. Adults (including young people aged 16 +) have full capacity to make decisions themselves, which means that young people aged 16+ can self-refer to neurodevelopmental services via their:

• Family Doctor (GP)
• Special educational needs coordinator at school or college

A mental capacity assessment may be needed if there is reasonable doubt that your child or young person has the mental capacity to make a specific decision. This can happen from the age of 16 years old. 

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 states that people must be given the appropriate help and support:

• To enable them to make their own decisions
• To maximise their participation in decision-making. 

A Mental capacity Assessment can be sought at any stage along the neurodevelopmental process and is there to help your child or young person to be supported in their decision-making. 

Find out more about mental capacity assessments here

While You Wait

It's important to remember that you don't need a diagnosis to access support for your child and your family. Many services, charities and support groups can help you support your child's needs and better understand how they experience the world. 

School/Settings

Speaking to a key worker, teacher, or SENCO to discuss your child's needs will help them plan different strategies and organise resources to help your child. Universal and SEN support is available to every child based on their needs, regardless of a diagnosis. 

Find out more from the Norfolk SEND Local Offer

Find out more from the Suffolk SEND Local Offer

Healthcare

As your child grows you may notice other differences, which can be noted and discussed with your child's GP to keep their records up to date. It can be useful to note any differences when you spot them so you have a bank of examples you can refer to when your child is assessed. 

While you wait for your child's assessment you can:

• Ask your GP if they can suggest any local support groups
• Ask a GP to refer you to Speech & Language Therapy, or Occupational Therapy Services 
• Ask your local council for a needs assessment to help your child cope day-to-day, called an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)

If you need practical support, the Healthy Child Programme offer Just One Number and Parentline which can be valuable sources of trusted advice and information about children and young people in Norfolk & Waveney. 

Find out more about Just One Number & Parentline

At Home

There are various services and charities to offer advice about your child's needs and support you as a family. Family Action has an advice helpline and self-help resources to support all aspects of family life.

Find out more about Family Action here

You may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance on behalf of your child which can help with the cost of providing additional therapies and interventions. 

Find out more about Disability Living Allowance

Assessment Advice

Current waiting times for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments are long, with assessment requests higher than NHS neurodevelopmental teams can manage. 

Because of this, parents and carers are looking at other options. This includes:

• Paying for private (independent) assessments
• Asking GPs for their right to choose a provider

All services must follow the same quality standards. In Norfolk & Waveney, many different services can complete assessments, including:

• Some providers working only for the NHS, paid for by the Integrated Care Board
• Private (independent) providers with an NHS contract, who help NHS services with their waiting times. 
• Other private providers who do not have an NHS contract, but are still qualified

All professionals in these services must follow the same quality standards, regardless of whether they work privately, or for the NHS. 

Read the guidance on quality standards for assessments here

Find additional advice on assessment providers here

Right to Choose

The NHS is offering more options for healthcare providers to allow you to make the best choices to suit your family. If a GP refers your child for treatment, as a parent/carer you have the legal right to choose the service you would like to go to. 

As waiting lists for assessments are long, some private (independent) services are available to hold NHS contracts for autism and ADHD assessment of children and young people.

All services must follow the same quality standards. In Norfolk & Waveney, many different services can complete assessments, including:

• Some providers working only for the NHS, paid for by the Integrated Care Board
• Private (independent) providers with an NHS contract, who help NHS services with their waiting times. 
• Other private providers who do not have an NHS contract, but are still qualified

To opt for your right to choose, you must go through your GP who will decide if a referral to an alternate provider is clinically appropriate. In most cases, your GP will refer your child for assessment at your chosen provider. 

To find out more about local NHS-approved providers, speak to your GP or contact the Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board.

Find advice on seeking independent neurodevelopmental assessments here

Read more about choices in your NHS care