& Family Support Centre
Assessment Process
This comprises four components:
Specialist Assessment:
A specialist assessment is carried out by a Paediatrician who will use all the information provided. They will carry out a physical and developmental assessment of the child/adolescent. Parent/caregiver input will also be required.
Following the Assessment:
Appropriate literature and information will be provided as recommended by the specialist.
More information and/or documentation may be required – such as cognitive assessments, or further information from school, other specialists, and the GP, as required by the specialist.
Further medical investigations may be required.
The child/teenager/adolescent may require a referral to mental health services.
A tentative or reasonably definite diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, aspergers, autism may be made.
A medication trial may be recommended, and information about the medication to be used provided to the family.
Documentation:
Family consent for reports of the visit and the plan of action if letters are to be sent to schools et al other than the referring GP.
The visit is documented and numbered by the Centre for statistical and retrieval purposes.
Subsequent Care:
Contact will be made in a few days, especially if a medication trial is commenced, or if there are concerns requiring follow up.
The Centre can be contacted on Phone 04 383 5061 and Fax 04 383 5063.
Subsequent follow up and on going assessment visits will be organised as required.
Families will be given on going support and information. The information will relate to the child's/teenager's/adolescent's particular difficulty and the effects on them and their family. There will also be opportunities to attend information meetings.
Adults
For persons over the age of 20 information will be given on how and where to access care.