Community Autism Assessment Service (Cumbria) – CNTW248

The Cumbria Adult Autism Assessment Service provides diagnostic assessments for adults who live in Cumbria. The team consists of psychology, nursing and psychiatry.  Our team will offer a confidential assessment and diagnostic service to adults over the age of 18. We also offer  post diagnostic support and advice

Who is the Autism Assessment Service for?

The service is for adults who live in Cumbria.

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people around them.

National Autistic Society

Autism is a spectrum condition, which means that, while people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in different ways.

If you have autism, you are likely to have difficulties in three main areas:

• Talking to people about what you need and how you feel and recognising how others feel.
• Meeting new people and making new friends. You will have difficulty speaking to people and understanding their body language. For example facial expressions, understanding jokes, sarcasm.
• Understanding and predicting other people’s behaviour and what other people are thinking.

If you have autism you may also like to keep a routine. You may have a special interest or you may find it very hard when things change.

People with autism also experience sensitivity to sounds, touch, taste, smells, light or colours,

How can I get referred?

If you would like to be referred to this service you need to ask your GP to refer you, or if you receive support from a professional who works for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust; then they can also refer you to our service.