ASD & ADHD Waiting List Support

Support for parents and carers of school-aged young people waiting for an assessment for autism or ADHD

We are currently experiencing unprecedented numbers of referrals requesting Autism and ADHD assessment. Plans are in place to work through the backlog of referrals and to provide clarity on next steps for families and professionals.

Please be assured that we will contact you as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience.

Open Minds (CAMHS) provides brief, time-limited signposting and advice to parents & carers of  children and young people who are waiting for a neurodevelopmental  assessment (autism and ADHD) in Calderdale.

Parents & carers can access telephone support to discuss their concerns, and access resources and services (scroll down for details of how to access this support and further information about it).

School staff who are working with a child or young person on the waiting list can also request a consultation to discuss the support they provide (see below). We can help school staff access the most appropriate support to supplement their work with a child or young person. We can also provide a shared understanding of a child’s needs to work together to meet their needs.

The Open Minds Partnership (which includes partner agencies such as Noah Ark Centre) are also able to support children and young people who require support with a mental health difficulty while they are on the waiting list for a neurodevelopmental assessment. This support can be requested by calling the First Point of Contact on 01422 300 001 or by submitting a new referral.

We will add the information you provide on the form to the child’s records. Please note that this form should not be used to make us aware of any risk or urgent issues as it may not be read straight away.

Parents/carers can also sign up to Silvercloud which has helped a number of families of children who are on the waiting list to better understand and manage difficulties, such as anxiety.  There is also a ‘Living Well With ADHD’ programme which has been developed for young people who have been diagnosed with or or who display some of the symptoms of ADHD .

To find out more about Silvercloud please see https://openmindscamhs.org.uk/silvercloud/

Click here for a leaflet with information on available supportClick here to visit the Caldedale Council website for helpful information and resources for parents and carers of children/young people who are waiting for an assessment for autism.
Illustration of 1:1 child therapy session

The service is able to offer the following:

  • information about resources and other helpful services
  • help to understand the neurodevelopmental assessment process
  • brief strategies and problem solving techniques
  • shared understanding and a partnership approach with professionals/schools to understand the needs of a child awaiting an assessment

The service is not:

  • suitable for if a family is in crisis
  • part of the autism assessment process
  • able to provide information about waiting times/ expedite a young person through the waiting list
  • designed to be an ongoing intervention or to provide direct clinical input

Signposting & Advice

Parents & carers can access telephone advice to discuss their concerns, and on how to access resources and services.

This advice can be accessed by phoning 01422 300 001.

Patient Choice Support

If you or your child have received a letter regarding choosing an assessment provider, and you have further questions about making your choice, you can contact the Choice Navigator by emailing ndchoice@openmindscamhs.org.uk or request a call back by using the form below.

Request a call back from the Patient Choice Navigator

Positive feedback from parents who have accessed waiting list support

This is a very useful service for families on the waiting list

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We felt reassured and listened to

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We were given practical strategies as well as websites

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Gave reassurance that we were actually helping our daughter, plus new ideas to help her further

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Gave reassurance that we were actually helping our daughter, plus new ideas to help her further

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You have no idea what a difference you have made to us

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