Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnostic Service

Our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnostic Service is a local diagnostic and assessment service for adults who are believed to need an assessment for autism and meet the criteria specified below in 'who is it for'.

The service provide a full diagnostic assessment service of adults with autism. People are assessed by a specialist psychiatrist and a specialist occupational therapist.

The service has been purchased by the 5 CCGs (clinical commissioning groups) covering Cheshire and Wirral. The service is open to referrals nationwide and can also accept referrals for assessment, review or expert opinion such as self funded cases or cases funded by any CCG, other health providers or other organisations e.g. occupational health or insurance, by individual agreement. The service can also provide specialist intervention work either privately or on a bespoke basis funded by CCGs or other organisations. The service leads Ian and Clair are both NICE champions for autism, and Ian is the autism champion for England.

Click here to meet the team!

Read our leaflet on post diagnosis information.

Listen to Dr Ian Davidson discuss autism and mental health in a recent interview with Network Autism.

Who is it for?
- People over 18 years old, if they live in the following areas: East Cheshire or Wirral
- People over 16 years old, if they live in the following areas: West Cheshire, Vale Royal or South Cheshire
- People who have not received a previous diagnosis of ASD
- People who do not have a diagnosed learning disability (as another service is commissioned to provide this assessment)
- Autism is a lifelong condition, and people referred should have experienced traits throughout their life
How to access an assessment

Speak to your GP about a referral. They will complete a quick questionnaire (AQ10). They may complete it with you or ask you to complete it yourself or with someone who knows you well, and return it to the surgery. If from this you trigger an assessment, they will then refer you either directly to the ASD Service, or through a community mental health service who will assess your case individually. For the 5 CCGs covering Cheshire and Wirral your GP can then refer you directly through their normal referral route to CWP . your GP will refer you if you meet the above criteria and are willing to go for the assessment.

A link to the AQ10 questionnaire can be found here.

Read our leaflet on what to expect during your assessment.

The below video explains what the initial assessment process involves.

How to access this service

Age range

16+

Referral Routes

Other agencies

Conditions

Autism

Find out more about these conditions

Address

Adult ASD Service
Upton Lea Resource Centre
Countess of Chester Health Park
Liverpool Road, Chester
CH2 1BQ

Telephone number

01244 397640

Email address

cwp.ASDService@nhs.net

How to find us

Stein Centre

We provide a number of services within this location.

Upton Lea

We provide a number of services within this location.

Vale House Resource Centre

We provide a number of services within this location.