Big changes are coming to the way children and young people are referred to the Neurodevelopmental Service (NDS) from Saturday 1st November.
If you’re working with families or colleagues who might be affected, here’s what you need to know – and why it matters.
NDS is here to help children and young people (aged 6 to 18) who may be neurodivergent, covering everything from Autism and ADHD to DCD, Tourette’s, and more.
To help cut waiting times and ensure assessments happen at the right time, the referral criteria are changing.
From now on, children must be at least 4 years old to be referred, so that by the time their assessment comes around, they’ll be old enough – at least 6 years old – for a full and meaningful evaluation.
Pauline Izat, general manager. Specialist Children’s Health Services Unit, University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “This move means we’re moving away from the old system where children were sometimes only assessed for one specific condition.
“That system could sometimes leave families feeling like they were missing pieces of the puzzle. The new approach is all about making things smoother and more joined-up for everyone involved.
“The assessment process now works by looking at the whole picture instead of focusing on just one possible diagnosis.
“Every child accepted onto the waiting list gets a comprehensive assessment, exploring all relevant neurodevelopmental conditions. The goal is to build a clear profile of each child’s strengths, challenges, and support needs. When making a referral, describe the areas you’re concerned about, rather than asking for a specific diagnosis.
“Please remember, referrals are only accepted when there’s a significant and persistent impact on a child’s daily life. It’s also important to be aware that a referral is a request for assessment and isn’t a guarantee of a particular label or outcome.”
Families of children under 4 years old can go straight to their health visitor, who can point them towards the right support. There’s no need for a diagnosis to access help or educational placements – support is based on what the child needs.
For more details or to make a referral, please contact the NDS information mailbox at Info.NDS@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or use the dedicated email addresses for North and South Lanarkshire: NorthNDS@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk and SouthNDS@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk.
