What we offer

Autism Service Norfolk is an NHS employed service funded by Norfolk County Council. It provides a gateway for diagnosis of adults 18+ with suspected autism without a learning disability. It is also able to provide some pre and post diagnostic support around the diagnosis. Autism Service Norfolk does not provide any mental health or social care support or management.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterised by:

  • impairments in the quality of a person’s social interaction
  • the quality of their social communication
  • evidence of repetitive routines and rituals and all-absorbing narrow interests
  • motor clumsiness and sensory issues

Difficulties in these areas have to be present through-out their life-span.

 

Who it’s for

Adults 18+ with suspected autism without a learning disability.

 

Referrals

Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a health or social services professional. To accept a referral, we ask that your GP must be informed of the referral. You can download a referral form here: 

Autism Service Norfolk - referral form (Word)

Autism Service Norfolk - referral form (PDF)

For more information about our service and our referral pathway, please download this information leaflet: 

Pre-diagnostic booklet

We occasionally offer priority assessments to:  

  • People whose mental health needs present a significant risk to themselves or others and where receiving a diagnosis is likely to reduce this risk
  • People whose support services are at critical risk of breakdown and where receiving an Autism diagnosis may reduce this risk.
  • People whose employment, education or living situation is at critical risk of breakdown and where receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis may reduce this risk.

To request a priority assessment please contact ask your GP to complete our priority assessment form:

Autism Service Norfolk - priority request form

Autism Service Norfolk - priority request form

 

Contact

Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich NR2 3TU

T: 01603 272257

E: asn@nchc.nhs.uk

 

Useful links

National Autistic Society

https://www.autism.org.uk/

Norfolk Autism Partnership

https://www.norfolkautismpartnership.org.uk/    

The Norfolk All Age Autism Strategy, which sets out to out to increase awareness and understanding of autism by all organisations, staff and volunteers who work with, and provide services to, anyone with autism, including within the local community: Our Autism, Our Lives, Our Norfolk

Guidelines by The National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (NICE) on diagnosing and managing suspected or confirmed autism spectrum disorder (autism, Asperger’s syndrome and atypical autism) in people aged 18 and over 

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142

Accessing a diagnosis for children and young people under 18

https://childrens.nchc.nhs.uk/neurodevelopmental-service/asd-diagnostics-pathway/

Access to diagnosis or support for people with learning disabilities

https://www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/community-learning-disabilities-team