Neurodevelopmental Pathway
About
The NDP team assesses children and young people for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
About our service
The NDP team is a multidisciplinary (MDT) professional service that assesses children and young people for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
What is meant by neurodevelopmental disorders?
- Neurodevelopmental (ND) disorders impact on how someone engages with and experiences the world. Neurodivergent people (people with neurodivergent conditions such as Autism or ADHD) may have certain strengths or challenges caused by this. Some of these strengths or challenges may be in the areas of social skills, memory, processing information, impulse control and sensory experiences. Some of the most common are Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well others such as Dyspraxia, Dyslexia and Tourette’s.
Who we will assess
Children registered with a Birmingham GP:
- 2.5 years to 16 years (ASD)
- 5 years and above (ADHD)
Where there are concerns with:
- Social interaction, communication, a strong preference for sameness, routine and predictability and/or sensory differences (for assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD))
- Regulation of concentration, hyperactivity and/or impulse control (for assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Making a referral
- Referrals must be made by a professional from health, social care or education.
- Families referred must be registered with a Birmingham GP.
- Referrals are currently accepted for children and young people aged 2.5-16 years for ASD and 5-16 for ADHD.
To make a referral, we will need as much information as possible in order to ensure that the child is assessed by the most appropriate professional or team:
The team
We are a multidisciplinary team of professionals, made up of several services, who are here to support children, families and professional with a variety of known or suspected neurodevelopmental conditions. We offer a range of diagnostic, supportive and medical interventions to support children with additional needs.
Our teams include speech and language therapists, consultant community paediatricians, specialist nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, paediatricians, and clinical assistants with NDP administrators, secretaries and co-ordinators.
The NDP aims to:
- provide a forward thinking and innovative service that adapts to the needs of our service users;
- work as a co-ordinated service that is caring, compassionate and led by clinical expertise to work within an integrated ASD and ADHD pathway;
- clinically triage children and young people referred to our service so that they get the appropriate care;
- co-operate with and support families, children and young people to share their views and experiences, in order to provide the best patient-focussed care as part of our co-production strategy;
- continually develop innovative technology and a creative culture to meet the needs of our service users ie. use of virtual assessments and state-of-the-art assessment tools, such as internationally recognised evidence-based assessments for assessing ASD and ADHD.
- continue reducing waiting times through an increased MDT workforce, new ways of working, efficient processes and innovation and increased responsiveness.
- work with other agencies and professionals within neurodiversity services, including Forward Thinking Birmingham, the local authority, education and social care.
- offer high quality, safe and inclusive care at all times.
- we exercise a 'one size does not fit all' strategy in every step of the assessment process, ensuring assessment is tailored to fit the children and families of our diverse community..
Please note that the decision offered regarding an appointment, assessment etc. will be based on clinical triage, clinical priority and dependent on referral, circumstances, age etc. Due to the high demand on our service, there is an expectation that all appointments offered will be attended, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
If you are waiting for a new or a follow up appointment and you are concerned about your child’s health, or if there has been significant deterioration in your child’s behaviour, please contact your GP, call 111 or 999 if an emergency.