NDAS Information

Across Scotland there are long delays in the assessment process. The NDAS team in Highland are working hard to reduce wait times. Click for updates

NDAS is a diagnostic service and sits alongside services which provide support and intervention. Where concerns have been raised about a child/young person it is important that support strategies are put in place. This would usually follow the staged approach and may involve services such as Educational Psychology, Community Paediatrics, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Primary Mental Health Workers. Concerns such as those regarding behaviour challenges, adverse childhood experiences, anxiety, and learning difficulties should be discussed with the appropriate professional before a request to NDAS is considered. Any support required should be needs led and not dependant on a diagnosis. 

If concerns persist despite giving time to see if intervention and support is helping, and there is evidence of difficulty in two or more settings, it may be appropriate to consider the possibility of an underlying neurodevelopmental disorder. These concerns should be discussed with the family/young person (and consent gained), the Named person/ Lead professional, and the partners to the child’s plan.

If you are thinking about making a request for assessment it is best to complete the NDAS request form whenever possible. This is available from nhsh.nds@nhs.scot or click on the NDAS Full Request Form image below, or phone 01463 720057. Please email this to nhsh.nds@nhs.scot along with all other relevant information including the Childs plan, and completed consent form(s). Consent must be gained from the parent/ carer, and the child/ young person if they are able to give this. Requests received will not be added to the waiting list until after triage is carried out and the professionals decide whether an assessment from NDAS would be of benefit and is required at this time.

The team around the child should continue to use Highland’s model for understanding neurodevelopmental differences. Consider specific challenges and difficulties experienced in six areas of development- Communication, Cognitive, Sensory, Social, Motor, Emotional.  Ask the questions:

Presentation: what do I see?

Profile:  why might this be happening?

Plan:   how can I support?