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Cambridgeshire Lifespan Autism Spectrum Service (CLASS) clinic

How our service can help you

The Cambridge Lifespan Autism Spectrum Service (CLASS) clinic offers a specialist diagnostic assessment for adults who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder without intellectual disability or language delay.CLASS staff member with a patient

CLASS has a small team which includes clinical psychologists, assistant psychologist, consultant psychiatry, specialist nurse and admin support. You will be informed about which clinician(s) you will be meet as part of your assessment when you get your appointment letter.

The CLASS clinic is also involved in service evaluation and clinical research in order to improve the service we provide.  We may contact you to invite you to take part in clinical research as part of your referral to the service.

For more details about CLASS please clcik on this link. 
What to expect when you attend the CLASS clinic during COVID19 (11).pdf [pdf] 218KB

For more information about autism in adults please go to the National Autistic Society website and the NHS conditions website.

Picture of Eileen

Contact the service

Referral Information

  • The CLASS clinic accepts referrals for individuals (aged 18 and over) who are registered with a GP in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Region (currently Royston and Oundle GP referrals are not accepted).

    Referrals must come from a GP and have had an initial assessment by the Primary Care Mental Health Service. Referrals can also be made by mental health services in CPFT.

    If you think that you may have an Autistic Spectrum Condition, it is important that you meet with your GP to discuss your concerns. Your GP will refer you to the Primary Care Mental Health Service and they will complete an initial assessment with you. This information is used to make a referral to the CLASS clinic.

    We understand that making appointments and visiting the GP can be difficult for some people. For additional support around vising your GP, please see this guide for adults who think they might be autistic.   

    Waiting for an 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 which 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 (to be completed by a relative who can provide relevant developmental information)

    This information, together with your referral, helps us to decide whether an autism assessment is appropriate. Please complete and send all the questionnaires back to CLASS within 4 weeks (20 working days).

    If a full assessment is appropriate you will be informed that your name has been placed on a waiting list. The clinic will get in touch with you approximately every 6 months while you are waiting, to ensure that your contact details and circumstances are updated. You will be contacted again when an assessment slot is available.

    While you are waiting for an assessment you may find this information helpful https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/pre-diagnosis/adults

    When your name is near the top of the waiting list, we will send you a letter to tell you that you will be offered an assessment within the next three months. Someone from the CLASS clinic will then contact you to offer you a firm date.

    Some assessments are being carried out remotely via video. The NHS uses an online service called Attend Anywhere. You will need a laptop, tablet or desktop computer with Google Chrome or Safari and a good wifi connection to use this.

    You may also be offered a face-to-face appointment in the clinic at either Cambridge or Peterborough.

    There are pros and cons to both online and face-to-face assessments and we will talk to you about which is most appropriate for you. There is no difference in waiting times for either type of assessment and decisions are made based on your personal circumstances and the clinical information provided.  

    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.

    Following the assessment, you will receive a copy of your report and the clinician will discuss with you who else might need a copy e.g. your GP. There will also be a chance to discuss recommendations from the assessment and how to access support if a diagnosis of ASD is given.

    The assessment process

    When your name is near the top of the waiting list, we will send you a letter to tell you that you will be offered an assessment within the next three months. Someone from the CLASS clinic will then contact you to offer you a firm date.

    Some assessments are being carried out remotely via video. The NHS uses an online service called Attend Anywhere. You will need a laptop, tablet or desktop computer with Google Chrome or Safari and a good wifi connection to use this.

    You may also be offered a face-to-face appointment in the clinic at either Cambridge or Peterborough.

    There are pros and cons to both online and face-to-face assessments and we will talk to you about which is most appropriate for you. There is no difference in waiting times for either type of assessment and decisions are made based on your personal circumstances and the clinical information provided.  

    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.

    Following the assessment, you will receive a copy of your report and the clinician will discuss with you who else might need a copy e.g. your GP. There will also be a chance to discuss recommendations from the assessment and how to access support if a diagnosis of ASD is given.

Where to park and are there parking charges?

  • Clinics are run at Chitra Sethia Autism Centre in Cambridge or at the Cavell Centre in Peterborough.

    Parking at Chitra Sethia Autism Centre can be in any of the onsite car parks. There are no parking charges.

    The Cavell Centre car park is barrier controlled and there is a charge for the parking.

    Both the Chitra Sethia Autism Centre and the Cavell Centre are accessible for visitors with a disability. Please ring the team (01223 219673) before your appointment to discuss if you (or anyone attending with you) have requirements or concerns you need to make us aware of.

    Here is a leaflet which outlines some of the changes we have made to face-to-face appointments during COVID-19.

Is there access and support for patients and visitors with a disability?

  • Yes, our clinical bases are accessible. Please ring the team before your appointment to discuss any requirements

How to cancel your appointment

  • Please call our admin team on 01223 219673 if you need to cancel or change your appointment.

Carers Information

  • A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.

    At Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, we value the often life-long support carers provide and recognise them as equal care partners. We want to offer as much guidance and reassurance as possible, to help you in your caring role. You can find general information and support for adult carers, young carers and parent carers by following this link. 

Cambridgeshire Lifespan Autism Spectrum Service (CLASS) clinic

How our service can help you

The Cambridge Lifespan Autism Spectrum Service (CLASS) clinic offers a specialist diagnostic assessment for adults who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder without intellectual disability or language delay.CLASS staff member with a patient

CLASS has a small team which includes clinical psychologists, assistant psychologist, consultant psychiatry, specialist nurse and admin support. You will be informed about which clinician(s) you will be meet as part of your assessment when you get your appointment letter.

The CLASS clinic is also involved in service evaluation and clinical research in order to improve the service we provide.  We may contact you to invite you to take part in clinical research as part of your referral to the service.

For more details about CLASS please clcik on this link. 
What to expect when you attend the CLASS clinic during COVID19 (11).pdf [pdf] 218KB

For more information about autism in adults please go to the National Autistic Society website and the NHS conditions website.

Picture of Eileen

Contact the service

Referral Information

  • The CLASS clinic accepts referrals for individuals (aged 18 and over) who are registered with a GP in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Region (currently Royston and Oundle GP referrals are not accepted).

    Referrals must come from a GP and have had an initial assessment by the Primary Care Mental Health Service. Referrals can also be made by mental health services in CPFT.

    If you think that you may have an Autistic Spectrum Condition, it is important that you meet with your GP to discuss your concerns. Your GP will refer you to the Primary Care Mental Health Service and they will complete an initial assessment with you. This information is used to make a referral to the CLASS clinic.

    We understand that making appointments and visiting the GP can be difficult for some people. For additional support around vising your GP, please see this guide for adults who think they might be autistic.   

    Waiting for an 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 which 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 (to be completed by a relative who can provide relevant developmental information)

    This information, together with your referral, helps us to decide whether an autism assessment is appropriate. Please complete and send all the questionnaires back to CLASS within 4 weeks (20 working days).

    If a full assessment is appropriate you will be informed that your name has been placed on a waiting list. The clinic will get in touch with you approximately every 6 months while you are waiting, to ensure that your contact details and circumstances are updated. You will be contacted again when an assessment slot is available.

    While you are waiting for an assessment you may find this information helpful https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/pre-diagnosis/adults

    When your name is near the top of the waiting list, we will send you a letter to tell you that you will be offered an assessment within the next three months. Someone from the CLASS clinic will then contact you to offer you a firm date.

    Some assessments are being carried out remotely via video. The NHS uses an online service called Attend Anywhere. You will need a laptop, tablet or desktop computer with Google Chrome or Safari and a good wifi connection to use this.

    You may also be offered a face-to-face appointment in the clinic at either Cambridge or Peterborough.

    There are pros and cons to both online and face-to-face assessments and we will talk to you about which is most appropriate for you. There is no difference in waiting times for either type of assessment and decisions are made based on your personal circumstances and the clinical information provided.  

    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.

    Following the assessment, you will receive a copy of your report and the clinician will discuss with you who else might need a copy e.g. your GP. There will also be a chance to discuss recommendations from the assessment and how to access support if a diagnosis of ASD is given.

    The assessment process

    When your name is near the top of the waiting list, we will send you a letter to tell you that you will be offered an assessment within the next three months. Someone from the CLASS clinic will then contact you to offer you a firm date.

    Some assessments are being carried out remotely via video. The NHS uses an online service called Attend Anywhere. You will need a laptop, tablet or desktop computer with Google Chrome or Safari and a good wifi connection to use this.

    You may also be offered a face-to-face appointment in the clinic at either Cambridge or Peterborough.

    There are pros and cons to both online and face-to-face assessments and we will talk to you about which is most appropriate for you. There is no difference in waiting times for either type of assessment and decisions are made based on your personal circumstances and the clinical information provided.  

    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.

    Following the assessment, you will receive a copy of your report and the clinician will discuss with you who else might need a copy e.g. your GP. There will also be a chance to discuss recommendations from the assessment and how to access support if a diagnosis of ASD is given.

Where to park and are there parking charges?

  • Clinics are run at Chitra Sethia Autism Centre in Cambridge or at the Cavell Centre in Peterborough.

    Parking at Chitra Sethia Autism Centre can be in any of the onsite car parks. There are no parking charges.

    The Cavell Centre car park is barrier controlled and there is a charge for the parking.

    Both the Chitra Sethia Autism Centre and the Cavell Centre are accessible for visitors with a disability. Please ring the team (01223 219673) before your appointment to discuss if you (or anyone attending with you) have requirements or concerns you need to make us aware of.

    Here is a leaflet which outlines some of the changes we have made to face-to-face appointments during COVID-19.

Is there access and support for patients and visitors with a disability?

  • Yes, our clinical bases are accessible. Please ring the team before your appointment to discuss any requirements

How to cancel your appointment

  • Please call our admin team on 01223 219673 if you need to cancel or change your appointment.

Carers Information

  • A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.

    At Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, we value the often life-long support carers provide and recognise them as equal care partners. We want to offer as much guidance and reassurance as possible, to help you in your caring role. You can find general information and support for adult carers, young carers and parent carers by following this link. 
As a patient

As a patient, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support. 

Patient Advice and Liaison service  Contact the Trust