I have been referred for an autism assessment

After you have been referred to the service you will receive a letter informing you that CLASS has received your referral. In addition, you will receive a pack of questionnaires that will include:

• Some questionnaires to be completed by you about your personal details and a range of signs and behaviours associated with autism
• CLASS consent form (to be completed by you)
• Relatives' questionnaire (it is really important that this is completed by someone who knew you when you were a child, if this is possible)

This information, together with your referral, helps us decide whether an autism assessment is appropriate and you will be added to the waiting list. If the referral is not appropriate for an autism assessment, you and your GP will be informed.

Unfortunately, there is a long waiting list for assessment. When your name is near the top of the waiting list, we will contact you to arrange your appointment.

While you are waiting for an assessment, you may find this information helpful: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis/what-can-i-do-while-waiting-for-an-autism-assessme

Useful links

• RCE Wellbeing Hub
• How Are You

Attending your appointment

Cavell Centre, Peterborough

If your appointment is in Peterborough, you will attend The Cavell Centre, located on the Peterborough City Hospital Site.

Please note that safety alarms may occasionally sound at The Cavell Centre. As these alarms can be loud and occur suddenly, visitors who are sensitive to noise may wish to be aware of this before attending.

It is paid parking at The Cavell Centre; you will need your car registration number to complete your payment. The pay station closest to The Cavell Centre is card or contactless payment only.

For cash payments, you will need to go to the other pay stations, located at the main hospital atrium, at A&E or at the Women and Children’s entrance.

Please see some photos below on how to access the building. 

Cavell Centre

	This is the entrance to The Cavell Centre in Peterborough.
	Access is via the intercom on the right-hand side of the entrance.
	Please check in at reception and wait here to be collected by your clinician.

 

Chitra Sethia Centre, Fulbourn

If your appointment is in Cambridge, this will be at the Chitra Sethia Autism Centre, located on the Fulbourn Hospital Site. 

There are clinic rooms downstairs and upstairs at the Chitra Sethia Autism Centre. The stairs are steep and narrow. Please let us know in advance if you, or anyone attending with you, has any access issues.

Please see some photos below on how to access the building. 

Chitra Sethia Centre

	This is the pathway leading to the Chitra Sethia Centre.
	Access is via the doorbell on the right-hand side of the front door.
	Please wait for your clinician in the waiting area.

 

There are rare occasions when your appointment might not be at either of these locations. 

Please check your appointment letter carefully for the exact location. 

Appointments are typically offered face-to-face in our clinic bases in Cambridge or Peterborough.

There may be two or three appointments offered in order to complete the assessment. The clinician may also request your consent to talk to a parent, older relative or other informant who can provide information that will help in the process.

It is really important for an informant to attend the appointment with you, if this is possible. Without an informant, the assessment process can take longer, and it can be more difficult to reach a diagnostic decision. A clinician may request your consent to talk to a parent, guardian, older relative or other informant who can provide information to help the assessment process. 

Following the assessment, we will write a report for you and your GP. The clinician will discuss with you whether anyone else might need a copy. We can also provide a very brief diagnostic statement in case you need to show evidence of your diagnosis to an employer, benefits assessor or educational provider.

There will also be a chance to discuss recommendations from the assessment and what support you may be able to access, if a diagnosis of autism is given.

We understand that attending appointments can cause anxiety and we hope to make the assessment process as comfortable as possible.

If you feel you need additional support with anxiety, please visit https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/anxiety for support for anxiety.

If there are other adjustments we can offer to support you please let us know.

For example, if you would have difficulty using online appointments or if you (or anyone attending with you) has a physical disability or chronic pain condition.