Adult Autism Service

The adult autism service is a specialist service dedicated to supporting people who are seeking a new diagnostic assessment. We offer a comprehensive specialist diagnostic assessment that includes a full medical and social history and uses validated diagnostic instruments as recommended by NICE. The service is for people who are 18 years or above and do not have a learning disability.

Our office base is Manygates Clinic in Wakefield, however, we use a number of community bases in Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Halifax and Barnsley.

Our pathway is compliant with the NHS England guidance for Integrated Care Boards issued in April 2023 and so the decision for the diagnosis is made using a multiple disciplinary team approach: NHS England » A national framework to deliver improved outcomes in all-age autism assessment pathways: guidance for integrated care boards

Service users have access to a multi-disciplinary team which includes doctors, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech & language therapists, physician associates, pharmacists and administration staff. We are able to provide the best available care in an accessible, friendly and approachable manner.

Given the broad range of healthcare professionals in the team we are able to offer post diagnostic support and interventions for people who receive a diagnosis from us. This can include:

• Information and education around autism
• Up to two sessions of post diagnostic support
• Up to eight sessions of bespoke, person-centred interventions. These may be in a group setting or on an individual basis.
• Signposting for carer assessments, information and support

What can be provided will depend on what your NHS commissioner is able to fund for you.

Specialist social work support is also available from the team or from our local authority partners, depending upon the area of residence. The team has established links with local service user support networks and agencies. These positive relationships enable us signpost or refer individuals to other appropriate local community services.

As recommended by NHSE Guidance, the team meet regularly to discuss cases as a group.  “Consensus diagnosis meetings” provide opportunities to:

• present information gathered about a person.
• identify potential gaps in information before completing the assessment and determine how this can be best obtained.
• consider multidisciplinary perspectives about the formulation, including views about whether the person is autistic.
• outline recommendations to be shared with the person.

Accessing the service

• Tel: 01924 316492
• Email: ADHDandAutismservice@swyt.nhs.uk

Base:  Service for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Manygates, Belle Isle Health Park, Portobello Road, Wakefield, WF1 5PN

Hours:  Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00 pm

Referral guidelines

Referrals accepted from:  Consultants, GPs

Referral criteria:

Our service is for adults who are 18 or above, who do not have a learning disability.

Adults with a learning disability can receive support from specialist learning disability services.  Under 18’s can be referred to local children’s services.

Many GP practices are able to refer directly to the Service using an electronic referral form. For those who do not have this facility, referrals can be made directly to the Service or via the Trust’s single point of access team using the autism referral form.

When you are invited for an assessment

If your referral meets the criteria, you will be sent an information pack which will include questions for you to answer and send back to us, this is to help us understand more about your difficulties and how we can help. We can help you to complete it if needed.  When we receive the pack back from you, we will be able to offer you a first appointment. This is usually a face-to-face appointment in one of our clinics closest to your home.

We might be able to tell you that you do not have autism after this first assessment, or we might ask you to attend appointments for further assessment.

When the assessment process is complete, we will advise you of the outcome. If you do not have autism, we will explain why and advise you of next steps. If you do have autism, we will advise you of the support we can offer to you if you want it.

Updated:  January 2025