We are delighted to be joined by Shannon Dohery, Co-ordinator & Operational Manager of Autism Services Intervention. She will be covering:
– Referral Criteria & Pathway
– The Autism/ADHD Assessment Journey & time frame
– Supports whilst a child is on the assessment journey
– Next steps after completion of assessment
– Community Supports available
The Western Trust offers early intervention once a child has been accepted onto our diagnostic assessment pathway. Parents/Carers must attend a Tier 1 introductory session to remain on the diagnostic assessment waiting list.
Once they have attended the Tier 1 session they are then offered a range of tier 2 interventions as per the attached booklet which they can access at any time up until their assessment is completed.
Following the diagnostic assessment and if a diagnosis is confirmed, parents/carer will then be offered post diagnostic support and intervention.
This is a tiered approach with tier 1 being online recorded webinars which parents/carers receive within 6-8 weeks post confirmation of diagnosis.
Following this they can then access tier 2 interventions which are facilitated either via live webinar or face to face.
Enclosed is a copy of Tier 2 interventions also that we offer following confirmation of a diagnosis.
They also host 5 Autism Support Cafes across the geography of the Western Trust each year which anyone can attend. Details Attached.
As at 31st July 2024 they had 2201 children waiting on a diagnostic assessment with the longest waiter 143 weeks (almost 3 years).
They host an online Children and Young People’s Autism Hub which provides further information. See link below;
Children and Young People’s Autism Service | Western Health & Social Care Trust (hscni.net)
Professional service information booklet to explain Paediatric ASD services offered by Northern Trust.
This details the current wait times for assessment (In excess of 3 years 4 months) , referral criteria & the range of supports offered alongside QR codes to access our range of digital supports a/v for families
