AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER REFERENCE GROUP
DIAGNOSIS SUB GROUP
Meeting 5 August 2003 - Action points
Present
Caroline Brown, Deputy Principal Psychologist, Fife Education Dept.
Paul Dickinson, Clinical Child Psychologist, New Craigs Hospital, Inverness
Bette Francis, Community Care Division, Scottish Executive
Tommy Mackay, Scottish Society for Autism
Jane Neil-McLachlan, Adult Autism Co-ordinator, Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust
Shabnum Mustapha, National Autistic Society
Val Murray, Consultant Psychiatrist, Scottish Centre for Autism, Yorkhill
Val Sellars, Deputy Director, Scottish Centre of Autism, Yorkhill Hospital
Apologies
John Cameron, Clinical Director of Psychology, Gartnavel Royal Hospital
Harden Carter, CPHM, Lothian NHS Board
Ronnie Jarvis, Area Principal Psychologist, Glasgow Psychological Services
Jean MacLellan, Community Care Division, Scottish Executive
Discussion
Members agreed that some early progress in assessment and diagnosis in Scotland
could be addressed:
 At national level, by holding a national study day for those front-line
professionals involved in diagnosis.
 At local level, by local teams identifying a clear lead in autism.
 By agreeing clear referral pathways, possibly in Scottish Executive guidance.
Issues affecting progress
Resources- financial and staffing. Staff are managing competing demands.
Environment- accommodation needs to be autism friendly – can we provide
examples? Travel to unfamiliar environment also puts pressures on individuals and
families – should be better networking amongst professionals to allow diagnosis in
own locality - national centre for excellence with outreach service. (New Struan aims
to avoid duplication of service provided by Yorkhill)
Awareness- broad level and more detailed training for those involved in diagnosis.
Level of confidence in diagnosis needs to be increased.
Data sharing – what information should be collected on diagnosis and how should it
be shared? Val Murray already looking at this- could check what SCLD database will
deliver.
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Action Points
 Professional study day on diagnosis
To be arranged for February 2004 (avoiding school holidays)/central venue/
residential with 1 day over 2. Programme to be agreed at next meeting, but
should discuss how/what diagnosis services deliver; need for clinical
network/MCN; data sharing; speakers (members of group?). Avoid turning into a
conference. Should be focused on diagnosis in Scotland, giving professionals the
opportunity to discuss practice and share knowledge. Event should have clear
outcomes and lead to professional networking on an ongoing basis.
Bette Francis to find event organiser and start booking process.
Members to provide names of professionals in the field to be invited.
 Care pathways
Examples of care pathways already being developed to be sent to Executive for
discussion at next meeting: members to provide as soon as possible
Membership
It was suggested that Dr Ann O’Hare (Sick Kids) should be invited to join the subgroup- Bette Francis to follow up.
Next meeting
 Agree programme for study day- identify speakers.
 Examine range of care pathways to identify core ingredients, reference
existing guidelines.
Agreed date 6 October 2.00pm - to be rescheduled in view of Highland visit.
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
September 2003
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