GP

General practitioners treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment. For neurodevelopmental Neurodevelopmental A medical word for how the brain grows from childhood. Teams use it to name the assessment that looks at things like autism and ADHD. Read the full definition of Neurodevelopmental concerns the GP is often the gateway rather than the assessor.

How you get to see one: book at your registered practice. If you are worried about your child's development, the NHS advice is to talk to a GP or health visitor Health visitor A health visitor is a nurse or midwife with extra training who works with families from pregnancy until a child turns five. They do the development reviews and you can contact them directly. Read the full definition of Health visitor , or to speak to a nurse, doctor or SENCO SENCO The teacher in your child's school who leads support for children with special educational needs. They are usually the quickest person for a parent to reach. Read the full definition of SENCO at your child's school. For autism, speak to a GP to find out how to get an autism assessment in your local area, because GPs can often refer children to a local autism team.

Can they diagnose? Not autism Autism Autism is a difference in how the brain develops. It shapes how an autistic child sees and experiences the world, how they communicate, and how they respond to things like noise, light and touch. Read the full definition of Autism , ADHD ADHD ADHD is a difference in the way a child's brain works. It affects how they pay attention, how much energy they have, and how easily they act on impulse. Read the full definition of ADHD or DCD. They rule out other causes, they refer, and after a specialist has started ADHD medicine and the dose is settled, a GP may take over prescribing under a shared care agreement.

What to ask: which local pathway they will refer to, whether the referral referral When a professional passes your child on to a specialist team for assessment or treatment. A GP, school or health visitor can usually make one. Read the full definition of referral needs school evidence Pre-referral information gathering The forms and reports a service collects before it accepts a referral. Most teams want to hear about your child from more than one place, usually home and school. Read the full definition of Pre-referral information gathering attached, and what the current wait is. Ask for a copy of the referral letter.