Autism Spectrum Condition Service Guide

What is Autism Spectrum Condition?

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a life long condition that is present from birth. It affects how you communicate with others.

If you have an Autism Spectrum Condition, you may experience differences in:

• Communicating your thoughts and feelings
• Engaging in social interaction, going to unfamiliar places and social events
• Managing changes in your routine
• Managing some environments due to sensory sensitivities. This could be hyper sensitivities (over sensitive) or hyposensitivities (under sensitive).

Who are we?

The team provide diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum Condition for adults who are registered with a GP in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton or Warrington.

We offer short term post diagnostic support, mainly in the form of groups. We are a multi disciplinary team with a range of backgrounds.

These may include practitioners from nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychology and speech and language therapy. The team also welcome trainees and students and they work under the supervision of a qualified profession.

Aims of the service

• To provide assessment and diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Conditions
• To provide support in understanding autism and how it may impact on your life considering your
strengths as well as some of your difficulties
• To provide advice, support and education to partners, families and care teams
• To work with other services, for example, social services or local colleges to help support you

We will always aim to put you at the centre of the way we work and put your wishes and opinions first.

What happens in an Autism Assessment?

Once we have received a referral, you will be sent a questionnaire to fill in. We will review the
information you send and decide on the best course of action.

We may need more information to determine if an assessment would be of benefit to you.

As part of the assessment, we ask you to bring someone who has known you since a young age, such as a family member. Your family member is useful for talking about you as a child as you might not remember a lot of things from your very early life.

We may ask if you could complete a questionnaire to help gather further information about you before the assessment. Where possible please bring with you any school reports to your first appointment.

We may also access relevant medical information. You will have a lead practitioner who will be your main point of contact throughout the assessment process.

The assessment itself can be long, but it is essentially a conversation about you and your life.

You may be provided with a drink, however you may want to bring your own snacks. Part of the assessment might involve you doing some activities.

What if I already have a diagnosis?

If you are already diagnosed with autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) you can contact us for information about our post diagnostic support group.

Please watch the video all about what to expect at an assessment below.

How can I access the service?

If you are registered with a GP in Liverpool:

You can self refer to the service or be referred by another person, for example:

• A family member
• GP
• Mental health professionals if you are aged 18 years or over.

If you are registered with a GP in Sefton:

You can be referred to our service by your:

• GP
• Mental health professional if you are aged 18 years or over.

If you are registered with a GP in Halton, Knowsley or St Helens:

You can be referred to our service by your:

• GP
• Other healthcare professional if you are aged 18 years or over.

If you are registered with a GP in Warrington:

You can be referred to our service by your:

• GP
• Other healthcare professional if you are aged 17 years and over.

Condidentiality and data protection

The Trust has a duty in law to keep information about you confidential. Your information will be secure and we only provide information on a need to know basis. It is your decision to share your report with other health services. We will notify your GP if you receive a diagnosis.

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team.

Telephone: 0151 471 2377 Freephone: 0800 328 2941 Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk