Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS)

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 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 & Adolescent Psychiatrist or Consultant Paediatrician) are named and agree to this at the time of referral.

The CNDS referral form can be accessed online. The referral form provides guidance on what supporting information is required for the referral to be considered.

Referrals and supporting information are accepted by post, fax or secure email.

To discuss a referral, to be sent a copy of the referral form, or for further information please contact:

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

Telephone 0191 287 5260

Email [email protected]

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

• talk to the people directly involved in your care
• ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk/contact/complaints/
• telephone the Complaints Department Tel: 0191 245 6672
• email [email protected]

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.

PALS North of Tyne
Tel: 0800 032 0202
Email: [email protected]
Post: FREEPOST PALS

PALS South of Tyne
Tel: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: [email protected]
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

9.00 am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

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 (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Telephone 0191 246 7288.

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2024 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref, PIC/

www.cntw.nhs.uk

Telephone: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2027