The South East Essex Neurodevelopmental Service supports children who have a neurodevelopmental condition, and their parent carers. It is based at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre in Southend.
Their `neurodevelopmental pathway' (sometimes called the `ND Pathway`) helps children and young people who are showing signs of a neurodevelopmental condition. Clinicians are able to assess children and young people and diagnose neurodevelopmental conditions such as:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder/Condition (ASD/C)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (children aged 6 years plus)
- Tics and Tourette's syndrome
- Dyspraxia
Referrals to the Children's Autism and ADHD pathway
The service is not currently able to accept referrals from families. Parent carers seeking support for their child should speak with their GP or another professional (such as a Health Visitor, other health professional, early years setting or school) to discuss making a referral.
Referrals are made by professionals through an online portal called `My Care Bridge`. After a referral is made, parent carers can use the portal to provide information for their child's referral and track the progress of the referral.
If there are any questions or difficulties with My Care Bridge, please email: epunft.lighthouse.MCB-ADHD-ASD.portal@nhs.net
Read about referrals to the Autism and ADHD assessment pathway
Read about the Autism and ADHD assessment process
Right to Choose
NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has commissioned new specialist providers to deliver Autism and ADHD assessments for children and young people across Essex. This expansion gives families more choice over care providers and will help to reduce waiting times for assessment and treatment.
GPs can now refer patients to additional providers through the NHS Right to Choose.
View the list of providers. All providers listed on the page have been quality assured by NHS Essex ICB and meet NHS standards for safety, clinical effectiveness and care.
Support and resources
The Lighthouse have a range of resources for parent carers of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. They also run a range of Austism and ADHD support groups and workshops.
Information about ADHD medication can be found on this ADHD information leaflet.
There are local and national resources for parent carers supporting a child or young person with a neurodevelopmental condition.
- a child or young person does not need a medical diagnosis to get support in an education setting. Read about support for SEND in schools.
- the following guides are available:
- A range of services are available that may be able to provide practical support. Find details of Southend support and national links.
- Autism Central. You can also watch videos on the Autism Central YouTube channel.National Autistic Society. You can also watch videos about Autism on the National Autistic Society YouTube channel.