Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS)  - Information for referrers 

The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) is based at Walkergate Park, Newcastle upon Tyne and provides day patient, outpatient and outreach services.

Regionally commissioned by NHS England, CNDS works in collaboration with local child and adolescent mental health and paediatric teams.

 

CNDS provides Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) second opinion assessments for children and young people.

CNDS also offer consultation and management advice to local clinicians supporting children and young people with an established ASD diagnosis.

We provide expertise to help local teams and families to address the following:

  • Uncertainty about ASD diagnosis following first line assessment through locally agreed diagnostic pathway.
  • What effective post-diagnostic support is needed for children, young people and their families/carers, and how should this be provided? This often involves liaison with professionals working across different organisations (e.g. education, social care, health, third sector organisations).
  • Concerns about how to assess for and then treat co-occurring neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders.

Concerns about lack of progress or failure to respond to specific therapeutic interventions (pharmacological or non-pharmacological).

We provide detailed bespoke multidisciplinary assessments for children and young people to inform a skills and needs based intervention plan.

Each diagnostic assessment is based on individual need but may include:

  • Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)
  • Neuropsychological (cognitive) assessment
  • Speech and Language assessment
  • Occupational Therapy assessment
  • Psychiatric assessment
  • Assessment in the classroom base at Walkergate Park
  • Specialist advice from ASD parent support advisor

We provide:

  • Advice on use and modification of psychological interventions.
  • Advice on the use of speech and language and occupational therapist interventions.
  • Advice on the use of pharmacological interventions.
  • Advice about educational placements.
  • Information and advice for parents/carers.
  • Child or young person specific training (e.g. to health staff regarding inpatient care, care home staff supporting child/ young person within a residential placement).
  • Advice about adjustments that may be required across contexts (i.e. home, school, college, healthcare settings) to support child/young person following ASD diagnosis.

We provide:

  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS- 2) Clinical Skills Course.
  • Autism Diagnostic Interview – revised training.
  • Other bespoke training requests considered on case by case basis.

The CNDS multi-disciplinary team includes:

  • Consultant Clinical Psychologist
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Consultant Neurodisability Paediatrician
  • Nurse Specialists in ASD
  • Trainees in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Paediatrics
  • Specialist ASD Teacher
  • Clinical Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists
  • ASD Parent Support Advisor
  • Administrative staff

Referrals are only accepted from locality child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and paediatric services.

CNDS cannot accept referrals from Primary Care, third party organisations, or self referrals from families or young people.

  • Clinical uncertainty regarding ASD diagnosis following an initial multi-disciplinary ASD diagnostic assessment or specific clinical question in the context of an established ASD diagnosis.
  • Before referral, the child/ young person must be seen by a senior clinician (e.g. consultant or senior clinical psychologist/ therapist) from the local team to determine whether referral to CNDS is clinically appropriate.
  • The child/ young person is under 18 years old at referral.
  • The child/ young person must continue to be supported by a child and adolescent mental health or paediatric service following referral and for the duration of the CNDS assessment/ consultation, including receipt of ongoing support for physical or mental health conditions. It is essential that a care coordinator or lead professional, along with a local senior clinician (e.g. Clinical Psychologist, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist or Consultant Paediatrician) are named and agree to this at the time of referral.

Please complete our referral form. The form provides guidance on what supporting information will be required.

We accept referrals and supporting information by post or secure email. If you require any further information please contact the service directly. 

Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS), Walkergate Park, Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD.

Telephone 0191 287 5260

Email CNDSAdmin@cntw.nhs.uk

If you would like to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint we would ask that you contact us in the first instance.

You can complete a feedback form or contact our complaints department on 0191 246 6672