Referrals

Referrals for ADHD and Autism are accepted from professionals, parents and the young person.

Each area has a different referral process so please see your area for further information.

How your referral is treated 

When you refer in to the CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Service, it will be triaged by a clinician. 

If your referral meets the criteria for further assessment, you and your school may be contacted for more information about your child's presentation. When this information is received, it will be reviewed by a clinician. If the presentation does not indicate potential autism or ADHD, you will be sign-posted for advice and support elsewhere. If screening information shows potential ADHD or Autism, you will be placed on a waiting list for further assessment.

If the referral doesn't meet the criteria for a neurodevelopmental assessment, you will be offered information and advice on where to go for support.
 

ADHD

There are many different ways a child may present with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and every child is different.

Young people may have differences with attention levels; either paying too much attention, or not paying enough attention. 

They may also have high levels of energy, internalise things and react quickly to things. This can make it more difficult at school, during hobbies and when making friends, although how much it affects someone is different for each person. 

Visit our ADHD page to read more.

Autism

Having an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) means that your child or young person will have a different way of understanding other people and the world around them. 

ASC is a lifelong developmental disorder, not an illness or a disease, so there is no ‘cure’ but there are many ways that difficulties can be managed. 

Visit our ASC page to read more.

Referrals in West Sussex

All referrals for ADHD for children aged 6 and over should be sent to: NDP.Referrals.WestSussex@spft.nhs.uk 

Referrals for ASC conditions will depend on where you live:

Chichester

For children aged 8 and under email: SC-TR.ChichesterCDC@nhs.net
For young people aged 9-17 email: NDP.Referrals.WestSussex@spft.nhs.uk

Crawley and Horsham

For children aged 10 and under email: sc-tr.childdevelopmentcentrenorth@nhs.net
For young people aged 11-17 email: NDP.Referrals.WestSussex@spft.nhs.uk 

Mid Sussex: Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath

For children aged 10 and under email: SC-TR.CDT@nhs.net 
For young people aged 11-17 email: NDP.Referrals.WestSussex@spft.nhs.uk 

Worthing

For children aged 10 and under email uhsussex.commpaedrefs@nhs.net
For young people aged 11-17 email: NDP.Referrals.WestSussex@spft.nhs.uk 

Referrals in East Sussex

All referrals for CAMHS in East Sussex should be made via the Single Point of Advice (SPoA)

Referrals in Brighton & Hove

All referrals for CAMHS in Brighton & Hove should be made via the Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service