NHS

We work closely work local NHS services have been commissioned to provide:

Adult Autism diagnostic assessments in partnership with Powys NHS Integrated Autism Service

Paediatric Autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments in partnership with Powys NHS Teaching Health Board.

We welcome further contact from local NHS services on how we can support reducing your Autism and ADHD waiting lists.

CASE STUDY

Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service – Commissioning Summary

Overview

Following a successful tender in February 2025, South Wales Autism and ADHD Assessments (trading under Wade Therapy Services Ltd) were commissioned by NHS Trust in Wales to complete neurodevelopmental assessments for children across the county. Between March and April 2025, assessments were carried out for 85 children. Each assessment included:

2 in-person sessions:

  • ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
  • QB Test (Quantified Behaviour test for ADHD)

2 online sessions:

  • ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised)
  • DIVA (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults and adapted for young people)

2 standardised questionnaires:

  • Conners 4 (for ADHD and associated behavioural concerns)

This equated to 510 individual assessment components delivered.

Additional provision included:

  • 13 home visits across rural Wales
  • 2 sessions with an Arabic translator
  • 1 translated report summary into Arabic
  • 2 Easy Read reports for a parent with communication needs
  • 2 families required the ADI-R and DIVA completed twice (due to separated parents)
  • All families received a comprehensive multidisciplinary report and were offered a 45-minute feedback meeting
  • At the close of the contract, all reports were sent to the family’s GP, saving NHS administrative time
  • NHS commissioners received regular updates including appointment scheduling, diagnostic outcomes, and onward referral data

Clinical Team Structure

Each assessment was completed by a team of at least two clinicians:

  • One Clinical Psychologist (present in every case)
  • A second clinician: either a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), Specialist Mental Health Nurse, Educational Psychologist (EP), or Assistant Psychologist

A full-time administrator coordinated appointments, family communications, and record management across the service. In 10 cases, this team was extended to include a second Clinical Psychologist with additional specialism.

Diagnostic Outcomes

Among the 85 completed assessments:

  • Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) only: 29.41% (25)
  • ADHD only: 22.35% (19)
  • Both ASC and ADHD: 36.47% (31)
  • No diagnosis: 11.76% (10)

This distribution reflects the complexity and diversity of developmental profiles across the population assessed.

What Can Be Improved

  • Time spent chasing families and schools for completed questionnaires caused bottlenecks in the process.
  • A new automated system has now been developed. Families can enter their email address and a unique reference number to check the progress of their assessment at any time.
  • Wider availability of home visits or a local clinic space would reduce travel costs and improve accessibility, particularly in rural areas.

Onward Referral Outcomes

Referrals were made based on individual clinical needs and assessment findings. Many children were referred to more than one service.

Service

Number of Referrals

Educational Psychology (EP)

28

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)

23

Occupational Therapy (OT)

19

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

5

Psychiatrist

6

General Practitioner (GP)

5

Substance Misuse Services

3

Talking Therapies

3

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

1

Paediatrician

5

Paediatric Neuromuscular Team

1

School Nursing

1

Looked After Children (LAC) Team

1

Dietician

1

Social Care

1

Wider Impact on NHS and Local Authority Services

This service enabled diagnostic clarity and more timely access to support. Key benefits included:

  • Reduced duplication of assessments
  • Earlier access to targeted interventions
  • Clear communication and data sharing between services
  • Ongoing reporting back to the NHS reduced administrative workload
  • Home visits and consideration for translation needs increased accessibility

Family Feedback

  • “It’s helped me understand my own son a lot more… everything is making more sense now.”
  • “Thank you to your whole team from our whole family.”
  • “Many thanks for the report. I am pleased to say there were no surprises and it is basically what I was expecting.”
  • “They got her pretty much spot on… she’s a masker.”
  • “The report was amazing… thank you to your whole team.”
  • “It’s an excellent report and very helpful.”
  • “Thank you, it’s what we were expecting. We didn’t think he was Autistic or ADHD.”
  • “It captures him. We agree. The report’s really good.”
  • “It’s a relief, all the years of fighting – we were right.”

Visual Summary

If you would like to see how South Wales Autism and ADHD Assessments can help you to reduce your waiting list feel free to contact chris@wts.ltd.