Who we are

The Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service (SAANS) is a specialist service consisting of a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team responsible for the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

The service also provides time limited post diagnostic support where the primary issue is related to these diagnoses.

We are also able to provide consultation and advice to other services providing support to people with ASD or suspected ASD.

We are an adult service and can accept referrals for clients over the age of 16.

Unfortunately, we do not provide diagnostic assessments for dyslexia or developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia).

What we do

We offer a diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). These assessments can help clients to better understand their needs and abilities, as well as being the first step in enabling them to reach their full potential with a diagnosis.

After your diagnostic assessment, you will be offered a follow-up appointment to discuss the outcome and further support options. If for whatever reason your circumstances change, or you are new to the service but have a pre-existing diagnosis, we can offer an appointment to review your current support needs.

We also provide time limited post-diagnostic support which can include:

  • Speech and language therapy to support you with your communication
  • Occupational therapy which can offer support with things like employment, education and day-to-day activities
  • Psychological education and strategies
  • Advice on medication (ADHD)
  • Group education sessions
  • Counselling

At your appointment you may meet a variety of people in the team including psychologists, psychiatrists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapist and administration staff. 

How do I get a referral to the service?

If you think you would benefit from a referral to our service you need to speak to your GP or health professional who is supporting you.

If they agree that an assessment would be appropriate they need to complete a referral form.

To make a referral for an Autistic Spectrum Disorder assessment complete this form.

If you are making a referral for a Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder assessment complete this form.

Once you have completed your referral form you need to email it to SAANS@shsc.nhs.uk or send in the post to Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service, Michael Carlisle Centre, 75 Osborne Road, Sheffield, S11 9BF.

When we receive a referral we will assess it and if appropriate you will be put on our waiting list. We will send out a letter to confirm this and we will provide you with resources to help and support you while you wait for your assessment. 

Unfortunately we cannot accept self-referrals.  

If you are a health professional making a referral to our service you can take a look at our guidance for referrers and eligibility and selection criteria here. Should you have any clinical queries please email SAANSClinicalQueries@shsc.nhs.uk

Please note that we cannot accept referrals for anyone who has been diagnosed with a learning disability. 

Waiting for your first appointment

We have updated our ASD diagnostic assessment referral process for 2023, please see the below information:

Once you have been referred to SAANS by your GP or another health professional, your referral will be screened to ensure it meets the essential criteria. You will then be sent a pack of 4 questionnaires through the post (also available by email on request). You should complete the questionnaires with a parent or care giver, and an adult informant (such as a partner, sibling or close friend). You need to send the completed questionnaires back to us within 6 weeks. If you are struggling to complete your questionnaires, please contact the service for support.

We will triage your submitted questionnaires against our criteria for an assessment appointment. After screening the questionnaires, we will be in contact to confirm the next steps. Either we will call you to book an appointment for your assessment (if you have reached the top of the waiting list) or write to confirm that you have or have not been accepted on to our waiting list (if it is a recent referral). We aim to contact you about the outcome of this screening process within 6 - 8 weeks of receiving the questionnaires.

You can refer to our Waiting Times below, this information is updated on a regular basis. Once you reach the top of the waiting list, you will be contacted to arrange an appointment.

Useful videos about autism

You may find the videos below useful for managing your condition while you are waiting for your assessment or after your diagnosis.

General mental health support

Get involved with research

Videos and links about ADHD

Videos:

Books:

You mean I’m not lazy, stupid or crazy? The classic self-help book for adults with Attention Deficit Disorder. By Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo (published by Scribner, 2006).



Too loud, too bright, too fast, too tight. What to do if you are sensory defensive in an over-stimulating world. By Sharon Heller (published by Harper, 2003)


Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder. By John J. Ratey (published by Ballantine Books, 2006)

Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention  Deficit Disorder: Amazon.co.uk: Hallowell M D, M D Edward M, Ratey, John J:  9780345442314: Books

Thriving with Adult ADHD: Skills to Strengthen Executive Functioning, By Phil Boissiere, 2018

Thriving with Adult ADHD: Skills to Strengthen Executive Functioning :  Boissiere, Phil: Amazon.co.uk: Books

ADHD Workbook for Adults: Skills to Improve Concentration, Organization, Stress Management in Difficult Situations: Including Work, School, and Personal Relationships, By Gerald Paul Clifford, 2020

ADHD Workbook for Adults: Skills to Improve Concentration, Organization, Stress  Management in Difficult Situations: Including Work, School, and Personal  Relationships : Clifford, : 9781801142595 : Blackwell's

Women with ADHD: The Strives, Struggles, and Successes of Women Diagnosed With ADHD as Adults – Includes Life-Management Tools to Simplify Your life & 10 ADHD Focus Tips, by Barbara Lancaster, 2022

Women with ADHD: The Strives, Struggles, and Successes of Women Diagnosed  With ADHD as Adults – Includes Life-Management Tools to Simplify Your life  & 10 ADHD Focus Tips eBook : Lancaster, Barbara:

Waiting times

Our waiting times have increased due to an unprecedented demand for our service, which further increased during COVID-19 pandemic.

Individual waiting times are variable and unfortunately, we cannot give specific times for individual waits. Please do not contact the clinic to enquire about waiting times as we cannot provide any more information than is provided within this section.

We understand that the lengthy waits for assessment can be upsetting and cause distress. If you are experiencing difficulties with your mood and wellbeing, we would recommend that you contact your GP. You may wish to speak to your GP about being referred to a different service under the NHS Right to Choose. If you do take up this option, please let us know so that we can remove you from our waiting list.

If you have received confirmation that your referral has been accepted, we will not remove you from the list. Please keep us updated of any changes to your contact details.

Autism (ASD)

  • Our current waiting times for ASD diagnostic assessment are:
    • If your GP is based in Sheffield: 1 year and 2 months
    • If your GP is based outside of Sheffield: 3 years and 9 months

(This information was last checked, reviewed and updated in September 2023)

ADHD

  • Our current waiting times for our ADHD service are:
    • For diagnostic assessment: 5 years
    • For treatment/medication, we are currently booking appointments for people referred in February 2022.

(This information was last checked, reviewed and updated in September 2023)

We know how difficult it may feel not knowing when you might start the assessment process with our service. If you are waiting for an appointment, please take a look at the support available on this page while you are waiting. 

Your first appointment

We know that for some people coming to your first appointment can be a daunting experience, and it’s okay to feel nervous. 

Below is some useful information to help you find the building easily and talk through practical things like transport and where to find our reception. 

How to find us

The Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service is based at the Michael Carlisle Centre in Nether Edge just outside the city centre.

If you’re travelling to your appointment by car you can make use of our free car park on site. There is limited parking but if you can’t find a space there is on-road parking available. 

Our building is on the Lyndhurst Road side of the Michael Carlisle Centre and the way to the entrance is signposted in the car park, so all you need to do is follow the signs. 

If you get lost on the way, don’t worry, just ask a member of staff who will be able to point you in the right direction. 

If you’re travelling by bus you can get on the number 56 bus to reach us. If you get off at the stop on Union Road we’re just a short walk away.

You can find out more about public transport in Sheffield by visiting Travel South Yorkshire's website.

Entering the building

When you get to the entrance of the building you will need to press the buzzer on the front door to speak to reception.

All you need to do is give them your name and they will let you in.

You can then speak to the receptionist and then take a seat in the waiting area where refreshments are available. 

What to expect at your assessment

Your assessment will be held at the Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service. You will usually be seen by one clinician in an office or consulting room. There may be another member of staff observing, but we would always ask your permission on arrival before this was agreed. Please let us know if you have any sensory requirements (for example needing us to dim the lights), when you arrive for the assessment.

This appointment typically takes between two and three hours, although in some circumstances more than one appointment may be required. During your appointment you will be able to take breaks if needed; the clinician will discuss this with you at the beginning of your appointment.

The assessment will involve answering questions about your childhood development and past and current experiences of:

Social communication such as:

  • Conversation skills e.g., small talk
  • Non-verbal communication, e.g., eye contact, understanding of body language and facial expressions.  
  • Preferred methods of communication e.g., face to face versus online/ telephone
  • What you find easy or more difficult in social situations

Social interaction such as:

  • Making and maintaining friendships throughout your life
  • Whether you prefer structured or activity-focused social contact, or to just talk
  • 1:1 versus group interactions

Flexible thinking which involves:

  • Use of routines and structures
  • Coping with change and whether this causes difficulties
  • Repetitive behaviours
  • Strong interests or hobbies and collections

Sensory processing

We will ask about any differences in your sensory processing, such as how you experience:

  • Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

In addition, we will ask you about the lesser-known senses:

  • Proprioception: awareness of your body in space e.g., being clumsy
  • Interoception: awareness of what is happening inside your body e.g., pain threshold, noticing being ill

You may find it useful to think about your experiences of these areas prior to your appointment. Some people find it helpful to write down different examples and use their notes as a prompt during the assessment.

You are welcome to bring someone with you to your appointment. If you feel it will be hard to communicate your difficulties during the assessment, it can be helpful to bring someone who knows you well to support you with this.

We aim to let you know at the end of your appointment whether we feel you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Please note that although we aim to complete the full assessment and give an outcome on the same day, there are some circumstances where this may not be possible (for instance if we felt unable to gain enough information to give a definite decision) and we may need to arrange a further face-to-face or video appointment at a later date.

If the clinician identifies enough evidence for a diagnosis, this will be provided in a formal report. The report will be posted to you after the assessment.

Post Diagnostic plan 

By following this link, you will download a post diagnostic plan detailing next steps, resources and support.

 

Support to people living outside of Sheffield

Anyone living outside of Sheffield can be referred to our service subject to a funding agreement from their local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group. They can also refer you for counselling subject to funding.

Sharing your feedback on Care Opinion

Care Opinion is an independent organisation that gives you the chance share your experience of using our services, to help us make changes that benefit everyone. 

We want you to share honest feedback about our services. Good or bad we want to hear what you think. 

You can choose how much detail you want to go into about your personal story, but if there’s anything we could improve on we want to know. 

You can give feedback by filling in the form below.

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woman in office looking at camera

Contact us

0114 271 6964
0114 226 2236 (Fax)

Address

Sheffield Adult Autism Neurodevelopmental Service
Lyndhurst Road
Sheffield
S11 9BJ
United Kingdom

Operating hours

Our phone lines are open from 8.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

Service CQC rating

Overall Trust CQC rating