The National Diagnosis and Assessment Service for Autistic Spectrum Disorders
The National Diagnosis
and Assessment Service for Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a specialist
service available at national level to individuals of all ages for diagnosis.
Our service was set up by the Society with support from the Scottish Executive
Health Department. We aim to contribute to the quality of life of people with
ASD and their families and carers by providing accurate diagnosis and
assessment.
Why a National Service?
We are fully committed
to the view that specialist, multi-disciplinary diagnostic and assessment
services for ASD should be available in the local area, together with the
widest possible range of provisions for meeting educational, health and other
needs. It is recognised, however, that there are many gaps in service provision
and in the availability of experienced personnel throughout the
Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Process
A key feature of the
service is a multi-disciplinary assessment process is led by Professor Tommy
MacKay, Clinical Director of the service, who has an international reputation
in ASD. He is lead author of the National Training Framework for Autistic
Spectrum Disorders, a co-author of the SIGN Guideline on diagnosis and
intervention for ASD and Co-Director of the National Centre for Autism Studies.
He has over 30 years of experience in autism diagnosis and has supported
developments at national level by undertaking Government research into ways of
expanding local services through a range of new diagnostic initiatives.
Assessments will
normally be conducted at our own premises in Alloa. Where appropriate, team
members may wish to see individuals or carry out assessments in other contexts,
such as at home or in local provision. A full process of liaison will take place
with relevant professionals and others, supported by available reports of
assessments already conducted. We will provide a written report on completion
of the assessment process.
Independent Study Modules
Many of our postgraduate students undertake independent study towards their postgraduate award. They have set up parent support groups, explored the autonomy of people with autism, developed transition materials, planned induction packs and programmes for colleagues, developed IT materials, looked at diagnostic profiles, developed teaching materials, developed information packs and investigated attitudes to people with ASD in the community. There are many such examples, and each project, though small in scale has had a practice impact. One such project has been built on through Scottish Executive funding of the Autism Argyll Information Packs -an area originally investigated through an Independent Study Module on the PG Autism programme.
Networking opportunities
The autism programme is multi-professional in nature. Not only do people from different disciplines study together and create informal networks, but in some cases collaborations with employers result in a strategic approach to course recruitment which has a good potential for good practice links to be made within each course delivery.
Research Collaborations
The NCAS is committed to applied research that will draw on practice in the field and build on this to theorise, develop and implement change. The Social Interaction & Understanding Project and the Training for Professionals Project, both undertaken through grant funding sought by the National Autistic Society, provide two examples of this link.