Autism and ADHD Pathway Guide
| Children and Young People Autism & ADHD Pathway | |||
| 1st step: Graduated Response | Discuss your concerns/child's needs with your child's health visitor or education setting to agree a support plan that can be regularly viewed and adapted. Also, speak to the Healthy Family Team or 0-19 Early Support Services for further help and advice. This process is often referred to as the graduated response. | ||
| 2nd step: Referral (based on location of GP practice) | Nottinghamshire County | Nottingham City | Bassetlaw |
| Education, Health Professional/GP | Self-referral, Education, Health Professional/GP | Education, Healthy Family Team | |
| 3rd step: Screening | Neurodevelopmental Support Team (NST)* | Neurodevelopmental Pathway & Support Team (NPST Team)* | Neurodevelopmental Pathway Bassetlaw (NPB)* |
| 4th step: Specialist Assessment Services | Community Paediatrics* AND/OR other specialist services depending on needs* | ||
| *While these pathways reflect the majority of referrals, some cases may be referred to other Nottingham(shire) based services. This is an overview of the pathway and does not include details of support services that are offered along the way. | |||
Navigating the Autism and ADHD Pathways in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
At Minds of All Kinds Nottingham(shire), we know that getting the right support can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, young person or adult, understanding the referral process is key.
Recognising the Need for Support
For any medical concerns, developmental delays or regression, or severe Tics & Tourette’s, please contact your GP for advice and guidance.
If you’ve noticed that your child is struggling with things like attention, communication, learning, or social interaction, it may be time to seek help. The first step is often speaking with someone who knows your child well, such as:
- Your Health visitor
- School SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) or teacher
These professionals can help identify whether a referral to specialist services is needed.
Initially, they will guide you through the SEND graduated response to support your child’s needs. This approach ensures that schools and educational settings provide the appropriate support at different stages, starting with in-class interventions.
The Graduated Response helps to assess and identify your child's needs, focusing on what adjustments or additional support can be offered within the school. This may include:
Targeted Teaching Strategies
Tailored teaching methods or resources to suit your child’s learning style.
Extra Support in Class
This could involve small group work, one-to-one support, or additional materials.
Monitoring and Review
Regular assessments to track progress and adjust interventions as necessary.
It is important to note that a diagnosis of Autism and/or ADHD is not required for support needs or reasonable adjustments to be implemented within your child’s education setting.
Schools and educational settings are obligated to provide appropriate support based on your child’s individual needs, even without a formal diagnosis.
This means that if your child is struggling with learning, communication, or behaviour, they can still receive tailored interventions, such as:
Adapted Learning Strategies
Modifications to teaching methods or materials that suit their way of learning.
Environmental Adjustments:
Changes to the classroom setup, seating arrangements, or quiet spaces to help with focus or sensory sensitivities.
Emotional and Social Support:
Access to counselling, peer support groups, or social skills programs.
These adjustments ensure that all children, regardless of diagnosis, have the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
If these steps do not fully address your child’s needs, your SENCO lead or health visitor can help you explore more specialised services, ensuring your child receives the right support both within and outside the educational setting.
More information regarding the graduated response can be found here:
Nottinghamshire County: Nottshelpyourself | A guide to local support for children and young people with SEND in Nottinghamshire
Ask Lion Nottingham City: Graduated Approach to Support for Children with SEND
If following the SEND graduated response support approach, you feel that an autism and/or ADHD review for your child is still needed, please follow the guidance here to find out more about how to refer your child:
Select your GP practice from the drop-down menu below to be directed to the appropriate pathway where you can find more information regarding the full pathway process for your area.
Please note - the NST and NPST Teams work for the local authority and do not diagnose Autism or ADHD. They are specialist practitioners with professional backgrounds from Health and Education who gather information from school and home.
Their role is to identify possible traits of Autism and/or ADHD and refer to a Community Paediatrician if a formal review is needed based on the information provided.
Initially, they will guide you through the SEND graduated response to support your child’s needs. This approach ensures that schools and educational settings provide the appropriate support at different stages, starting with in-class interventions.
For home educated children - please contact your Health Family Team for advice and guidance relating to the graduated response process.