Tayside Adult Autism Consultancy Team

NHS Tayside RefGuide
NHS Tayside

Who to refer

  1. Diagnostic assessments and consultations. Inclusion criteria:
  • Aged 18 or over (16 if no longer in school)
  • Registered at a GP in NHS Tayside.
  • Symptoms are indicative of Autism Spectrum Condition present since childhood
  • Significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning

 

  1. Advice for clinicians working with an autistic adult (this is with the clinician not direct work with the patient). Inclusion:
  • Aged 18 or over (16 if no longer in school)
  • Prior diagnosis of ASC
  • Registered at a GP in Tayside
  • Currently open to a Health or Social Care professionals in Tayside

 

  1. Specialist interventions for individuals with a confirmed diagnosis if they are unable to access mainstream primary or secondary mental health services due to ASC. Inclusion:
  • Aged 18 or over (16 if no longer in school)
  • Prior diagnosis of Autism
  • Registered at a GP in NHS Tayside
  • Unable to access mainstream primary or secondary mental health services, with reasonable adjustments due to ASC. Please note – there must be evidence that services have made reasonable adjustments to interventions prior to referral to TAACT.

Who not to refer

Patients with an existing diagnosis of Autism (for diagnostic referrals)

Patients with an Intellectual Disability (IQ <70) for all referrals

Patients requiring urgent review due to psychiatric risk should be referred to General Adult Psychiatry CMHT/Crisis services in the first instance. If appropriate, they will be offered a routine assessment appointment by TAACT if they also meet criteria for the team.

For Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments, please refer to local CMHT.

Patients with a primary diagnosis of Eating Disorder, Personality Disorder, Psychosis or Substance Misuse problem should be referred to Tayside Eating disorder service, General Adult Psychiatry services, Tayside Substance Misuse Service respectively in the first instance if concerns are specifically related to these issues. If appropriate, they will be offered a routine assessment appointment by TAACT if they also meet criteria for the team.

Where patient referred to other mental service first, that they can/will make onward referral where appropriate.

How to refer

Refer by e-mail to tay.taact@nhs.scot

Please provide information regarding each of the below in your referral:

  • What are the main issues and concerns that have led to referral?
  • What does the individual hope to achieve from the process?
  • For diagnostic assessments please provide information relating to each of the core features of autism:
  • Persistent deficits in initiating and sustaining social communication and reciprocal social interactions that are outside the expected range of typical functioning given the individual’s age and level of intellectual development.
  • Persistent restricted, repetitive, and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities that are clearly atypical or excessive for the individual’s age and sociocultural context.
  • Evidence the onset of the disorder occurs during the developmental period, typically in early childhood.
  • The symptoms result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning
  • Please ask patients to complete and return a scored Autism Quotient questionnaire (AQ-10) OR The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS–R)
  • If the patient has access needs or difficulties with literacy, please indicate how they will be supported.
  • Are there any risks relating to harming self or others now or in the past?
  • Are there any risks regarding lone working?
  • How are risks managed? Please provide relapse prevention plans in place if appropriate.

Please note that we are unable to manage any mental health needs/risks an individual may have whilst they are waiting for an assessment. If you consider that the person needs support regarding their mental health /risk, please ensure they access and/or continue to access the appropriate services whilst waiting for an assessment.

Specialty Description

NHS Tayside Adult Autism Consultancy Team provides consultancy to services working with adults without an Intellectual Disability who have a confirmed or suspected Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), specialist diagnostic assessment and specialist MDT interventions. We accept referrals from NHS and Social Care Services. This includes all NHS practitioners employed by NHS Tayside within Primary and Secondary care services and within Tayside Council/HSPC's.

Please ensure the patient is aware we have a lengthy wait for assessments.

Referrals can be made for:

Diagnostic assessments and consultations

Advice for clinicians working with an autistic adult (this is with the clinician not direct work with the patient)

Specialist interventions for individuals with a confirmed diagnosis if they are unable to access primary or secondary mental health services due to ASC

Locality and Contact Information

Tayside Adult Autism Consultancy Team (TAACT), The Alloway Centre, 1 Alloway Place, Dundee, DD4 8UA. 

Tel 01382 443158

Useful resources

Embrace Autism | Support for Autistic Adults in Scotland

Scottish Autism

National Autism Implementation Team

National Autistic Society

Autism Tests

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