ASC ASSESMENTS
Autism Sussex provides a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency evidence-based service offering National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) compliant assessment, formulation and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, otherwise referred to as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
About us
The ability to always provide a multi-disciplinary assessment is a strength of Autism Sussex, allowing us to appropriately match the clinical team to ensure we fully understand your child.
We have 3 Consultant Paediatricians in our team bringing a knowledge of child development and possible co-existing medical conditions. They are experts at the profiles of very young children, including those under 5 years and the more subtle presentations of autism. They are also able to offer support with sleep which may include the prescribing of Melatonin.
We also have a highly experienced Principle Clinical Psychologist who has very significant experience of child and adolescent mental health, including presentations where there may be self-harm and risk and how that can interact with neuro-diverse profiles.
Integral to the team are our Autism Educational Specialists as understanding of the child/ young person in the school environment can be essential to allowing us to offer individual advice and our expertise to schools. They have particular understanding of the challenges of education, Special Educational Needs and processes such as the EHCP. We also have access to key professional who understands and assesses for Pathological Demand Avoidance, a highly complex presentation which comes under the autism profile.
Our specialist Speech and Language Therapist brings an expertise on the impact of language development in the context of autism. All team members) are highly skilled at assessing individuals with complex presentations such as those who mask/camouflage, who have gender identity issues or are exhibiting complex mental health difficulties and therefore require more specialist thinking.
Our process
We see children and young people aged 3 to 18 years. Our team puts a flexible and multi-disciplinary perspective at the heart of our work and always see young people face to face but can conduct parent interviews online if preferred.
We prefer to see the whole family face-to-face together over the course of a morning or afternoon. We always see young people face to face (with the option of a home or school visit if required) and can conduct parent interviews online if preferred.
The comprehensive Autism assessment that we conduct comprises carefully building a picture of your child’s development and current difficulties. From this we provide a clinical formulation (understanding) for the possible reasons for the particular difficulties that your child is demonstrating such as:
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Complex emotional and behavioural difficulties
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High levels of challenging behaviour and social isolation
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Social communication issues impacting on school and education
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A demand avoidant pattern of behaviours (PDA; only in the context of ASC with our associate Laura Kerbey)
This is done by:
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An initial telephone/zoom call
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A detailed parental interview that includes a general developmental and mental health assessment
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Information directly from your child’s educational placemen
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Specialist assessments using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2)
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Other appropriate assessment and screening tools
Your child's behaviours and presentations will be assessed against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-V) for ASD.
Verbal feedback is usually given immediately following the assessment with a detailed and comprehensive report being sent to you within 30 days.
We will arrange a second feedback session via an online platform usually within the month, to discuss bespoke suggestions for moving forwards and to address any outstanding issues. As we all work within the NHS locally, we are aware of pathways, services and local experts to link with into following the assessment.
Further specialist assessments, such as cognitive assessments, consultations with schools and psychological consultations are separately available.
Adult assessments
We can also see adults for assessment. We always conduct adult assessments in a multi-disciplinary manner meaning that the assessment is comprehensive and robust.
Fees & Charges
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment and Diagnostic Service
Starting from £2200
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Assessment and Diagnostic Service
Sleep Assessment Service
Sleep difficulties are commonly described within an autism diagnosis and can significantly affect family life. Melatonin is an approved medication for children with autism and can improve their sleep and hence daytime behaviours. Melatonin prescriptions should be initiated by a specialist and can then be continued by a GP.
As our team has Paediatricians, we are in the unusual position to be able to offer Melatonin within our sleep service. We can assess children and young people for sleep difficulties, offer sleep behavioural advice and medication with Melatonin as appropriate.
The comprehensive sleep assessment comprises building a picture of your child’s sleep difficulties to gain an understanding for the possible reasons for the sleep difficulties and hence the best management plan.
This is done by
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A consultant review of your child’s Autism diagnostic report
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Parental review and implementation of sleep behaviour
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A consultant review of the completed sleep diary
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Clinical appointment for your child at the Nuffield Hospital in Brighton
If Melatonin is considered:
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Private prescription of Slenyto (Melatonin) will be writtenA
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A review of medication at 4-6 weeks
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Request discharge to General Practitioner
Fees
Initial Paediatric Assessment of Sleep Difficulties
The cost of the Initial Sleep Assessment: £200
Review of Melatonin treatment
The cost of the Review Assessment: £100