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This leaflet is to help families understand and what to expect with a neurodevelopmental assessment within Children and Young People's Service (CYPS). Your young person may be being assessed for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or both.

This leaflet explains what families can expect during a neurodevelopmental assessment.

Your young person may be assessed for:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • or both

We use a step-by-step process to collect information. The steps are shown in the next section.

We will talk about all parts of the assessment with you at the feedback appointment. We will also include the information in the assessment report.

We gather information from different people and places. This may include home, the clinic, or school.

We may also talk with health staff and education staff.

We may not need to use all the parts shown in the green section of the diagram. This depends on the information we collect. It also depends on the assessment your young person needs.

You will have a named key worker. This person will stay in contact with you throughout the full process.

Use the blank space to enter your text
Your named key worker is: 
 

  • First appointment with your Key Worker
  • Appointment with a clinician who learns about your young persons developmental history
  • We collect more information:
    • Talking with family and/or your young person
    • Observations at home, in the clinic, or in school
    • From school or other professionals who support your young person
    • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and/or Assessment Group *
    • Questionnaire (ADHD only)
  • Multi-disciplinary case discussion (for professionals only)
  • Family is invited to a feedback appointment
  • Family receives an assessment report

* We may ask for more information from Speech and Language Therapy and/or a cognitive assessment

Neurodevelopmental assessment
This is an assessment that looks at your young person’s strengths and difficulties. It helps us understand their development.

Developmental history
This is a conversation about how your child has developed over time.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
This is a play-based assessment. It looks at how your child plays, communicates, and uses imagination. It does not give a diagnosis on its own.

Questionnaire
This is a form that looks at inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention. 

You can provide feedback in the following ways:
- the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
- complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
- other options for sharing your feedback and experience  www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback
 
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.
 
South of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
Email: pals@cntw.nhs.uk
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB
 
9am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is always available for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.
 

You can contact your named key worker or CYPS duty team if you have any further questions throughout the assessment process.

Sunderland and South Tyneside Children and Young People's Service

Monkwearmouth Hospital
Newcastle Road
Sunderland
SR5 1NB
Telephone: 0191 566 5500

Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre
Prince Edward Road
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE34 7QD
Telephone: 0191 566 5500

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Telephone 0191 246 6800
Website www.cntw.nhs.uk

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please telephone the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2026 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/883/0326 March 2026 V3
Review date 2029