Laurel Bank Surgery is supportive of patients seeking or receiving care for autism spectrum conditions (ASC). We are happy to discuss issues and make referrals within the NHS and advise on referral to the private sector for assessment and treatment.
For people looking for an assessment, there are three main pathways to consider: the traditional NHS route via Leeds and York Partnership Trust NHS Foundation Trust, a private referral that the patient self-funds, or via a Right to Choose provider. If you have a Right to Choose assessment from a private provider, you do not have to fund the assessment yourself. More information about this can be found on Your Choices on the NHS website.
There are many Right to Choose providers to consider. The surgery is happy to support these referrals providing they are to a UK-based clinic that is suitably verifiable in their registration and inspection and / or their use of verifiable and suitably registered clinicians who are also UK-based, for example CQC registered organisations and GMC registered doctors. These may be within the NHS or private sector.
Further support and information for adults can be found here:
National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk)
Our principles – Leeds Autism AIM
Laurel Bank Surgery encourages parents/carers who are concerned about a potential diagnosis of ASC in a child to seek the support of their child’s educational setting and its special educational needs team. We are happy to discuss your concerns and offer support about potential ASC. A referral via Mindmate is the usual pathway for children to receive an assessment. More information can be found about this here: Neurodiversity information hub – MindMate
We understand that parents/carers may seek a diagnosis sooner and that this may be through Private/ NHS Right to Choose services. Please note that our same criteria for adult providers applies. This is with the addition that children will only be referred to clinics where they will be seen face-to-face so that they can be assessed and reviewed fully by the clinicians assessing them.
Further support and advice for children can be found here:
Neurodiversity information hub – MindMate
Home | ZigZag Leeds Autism Support Group (zigzagautismservices.co.uk)
