complex neurodevelopmental disorders service (cnds) for ... · the cnds service is a short taxi or...

Shining a light on the future

Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) for Children and Young People

The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) is a specialist

tertiary service working in collaboration with local multi-agency services

to provide second opinions for children and young people who may have

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other complex mental health or

neurodevelopmental problems, regionally and nationally. CNDS provides

outpatient, day patient and outreach services.

www.ntw.nhs.uk Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

•Uncertainty about an ASD diagnosis for whatever reason because of complex

presentations such as attachment disorder, looked after children, forensic history and

children in special circumstances

•Uncertainty about additional complex neurodevelopmental, mental health or

psychiatric disorders

•Questions about the management of ASD and any related co-occurring problems

• Concerns about lack of progress or failure to respond to specific therapeutic

interventions, pharmacological and non-pharmacological

•Other complexities such as family relationship difficulties and adult psychiatric disorder

in the family

The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) provides assessment

and specialist intervention for children and young people up to the age of 18 years

where there is:

To discuss a referral or for more information please contact:

Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) Walkergate Park, Benfield Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 4QD

Tel: 0191 287 5260 / 5262Fax: 0191 287 5261 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ntw.nhs.uk


The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) provides:

•Detailed and expert assessment of children and young people to inform the

development of a skills and needs based intervention plan

• Second opinions in cases of diagnostic uncertainty or complexity

• Consultation and liaison for local ASD multi-agency care pathway team

• Specialist ASD training such as Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

•Diagnostic Assessment

» Standardised developmental history taking

» Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

» Neuropsychological (cognitive) assessment

» Speech and language assessment

» Occupational therapy assessment

» Specialist advice and information for families and

professionals from Specialist ASD Parent Advisor

» Mental state examination

• Treatment and Interventions

» Advice on the use of Pharmacological Interventions

» Advice on the use of Psychological Interventions

» Therapeutic and educational advice

» Intensive group intervention for Early Years children

including specialist teaching and intensive parenting work


The multidisciplinary team includes:

• Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists for children and young people with and

without a learning disability

• Consultant Neurodisability Paediatrician

• Trainees in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Paedriatics

• Consultant Clinical Psychologist

• Clinical Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists

•Occupational Therapist

• Speech and Language Therapist

•Nurse Specialists in ASD

• Specialist Autism Spectrum Disorder Teacher

• Regional Parent Specialist Adviser in Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Support staff





Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) referral process

Who can refer

We are a nationally commissioned service. Referrals are accepted through a single point

of access from specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Community Child

Health and Paediatric Teams or from any member of the multi-agency ASD care pathway.

Who to refer

• Children and young people under 18 years of age with:

» Uncertainty of diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

» Uncertainty about additional complex neurodisability, mental health or

psychiatric disorder(s)

» Uncertainty about an ASD diagnosis because of complex presentations

e.g. Attachment disorders

How to refer

• Referrals are accepted in writing, by hard copy, fax or e-mail. Informal enquiries about

the service are welcomed by telephone prior to referrals.

Referral criteria:

• Referrals are accepted from across the North East with referrals from outside the region

considered on a case by case basis

•Where possible, referrals should include:

» The clinical question(s) to be addressed

» Summary of developmental and recent history and previous diagnostic process

» Copies of previous assessments and diagnostic reports

» Information regarding current concerns and difficulties experienced


Comments from a young person and their parents about the Complex

Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS):

“ I have achieved very good results in my Higher Education Foundation exams and have

successfully secured a place at University. This would not have been possible without

you, so I wanted to say a big thank you for all your support and advice”

“ The diagnostic assessment helped us to think more positively about our daughter’s

needs. The team’s realistic opinions about her skills and difficulties will allow us to go

forward.”

Comments from professionals about CNDS:

“ I would like to thank you for all the effort you have taken to keep me informed about

the assessment and reactions of the family”

" On behalf of our service we would like to thank you for providing such a thoughtful

opinion and giving feedback to the family and our team”

Comments from parents who have worked with the Early Years Intensive Group:

“ I cannot thank the staff in the Early Years Intensive Group enough for what they have

helped my son and family through and I can honestly say they saved a family from

falling apart.”

“ Thank you all so very much for the care, patience and understanding you have shown

our son during his part-time placement in the group. He has changed so much, and

improved more than we could have ever imagined. We are so very grateful to you for

all your help – it has made a huge difference to all our family.”





Biographies and team profile

Ann LeCouteur, Professor and Consultant of Child and Adolescent

Psychiatry

• Clinical Lead for CNDS Team, experienced in Assessment and

Management of ASD including transition needs into adult services

and severe mental health disorders

• Research interests include development of assessment measures,

understanding transition needs and evaluation of interventions and

co-occurring mental health disorders

•Member of the NICE Guidelines for the Management of Children

and Young People with ASD

Vicki Grahame, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

• Chief Investigator on a New Parent Group to manage repetitive

behaviours in young children with ASD

• Co-author of a treatment manual helping children with ASD and

learning difficulties to understand and manage their emotions

•Has specialist training in Neuropsychological Assessments in children

and young people

Jeremy Parr, Consultant in Paediatric Neurodisability and Senior

Lecturer at Newcastle University

• Experienced in assessing and advising on the management of

children with a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders and

neurodisability

•Works with the regional neurodisability service

• Research interests include formation of ASD databases and genetics

of ASD


Clare Dover, Consultant Psychiatrist for Children with a Learning Disability

• Leads the Regional Training Programme on the use of Autism

Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

• Chair of Newcastle ASD Multi-Agency Strategy Group

Linda Dixon, Specialist Teacher, Newcastle Bridges School

• Experience of working with children with Autism within specialist and

main stream settings

•Has international experience training community based staff in ASD

early intervention work

• First author of a Treatment Manual to help parents of Young Children

with ASD

Deborah Garland, Regional Parents Adviser

•North East Regional Resource Manager for National Autistic Society

(NAS)

• Expert in supporting parents and facilitating local networks

•Member of the Database for Children living in the Northeast (Daslne)

and Regional ASD Research Studies Steering Groups


Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) Walkergate Park, Benfield Road Newcastle upon Tyne



Service location

The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) is located at Walkergate Park

on Benfield Road in Newcastle.

How to get there

• By car – CNDS is easily accessible from both the A19 and A1. Follow the A193 and take

the signs signposted to Walkergate Park Hospitals.

• Car parking – There is car parking available on site. Please note car parking is

chargeable.

• Satellite navigation – use postcode NE6 4QD when using a satellite navigation system.

• By bus – The service is easily accessed by bus see www.nexus.org.uk for further

information and timetables.

• By train – Newcastle Central Station is located in the centre of Newcastle and easily

accessed from other areas. The CNDS service is a short taxi or bus journey from the

station.

• By metro – The nearest metro station is located at Walkergate. Walkergate Park is

about a 5 minute walk.


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Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) Walkergate Park, Benfield Road Newcastle upon Tyne


Benfield RoadWalkergatePark

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complex neurodevelopmental disorders service (cnds) for ... · the cnds service is a short taxi or...

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