services tmp
Service

Community Adult Asperger Service (CAAS)

What does it do?

To offer a wide range of services to adults with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome or High Functioning Autism.

Service Delivery Area

Poole, Bournemouth and East Dorset

What are the service opening times?

09.00-17.00 Monday to Wednesday

How can I refer?
[For appropriate professional/clinical referrers only - service users please see below]

A GP can refer for diagnosis, having completed a CAAS referral form and GP screening tool

If the person is already in a CMHT, diagnosis would be done by a doctor in that team, but a second opinion can be sought through CAAS

What functions/treatment and therapies are offered?

The specialist Community Adult Asperger Service (CAAS) offers a wide range of services in providing a person-centred approach to adults who have, or who are thought to meet the criteria for, a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (AS) or High Functioning Autism (HFA).  These include: 

  • diagnostic assessment, including second opinions
  • specialist psychological assessment and short-term interventions
  • specialist occupational therapy assessment and interventions
  • advice and signposting of people with AS and HFA, their family, carers and professionals to other relevant agencies, services and groups
  • assessment of a person's Social Care needs where appropriate
  • support to professionals in other teams and agencies who work with people with AS and HFA to improve their understanding of the condition. 

The Community Adult Asperger Service works with adults over the age of 18 who do not have a learning disability (those adults that have an IQ of 70 or above).  If a person is under the care of a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), a diagnosis of AS or HFA would be made by a doctor in that team, but a second opinion may be sought through the CAAS.

Which types of illness/medical condition does the service treat?

Adults who have, or who are thought to meet the criteria for, a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (AS) or High Functioning Autism (HFA). 

Who will I see?

The professionals within the team consist of:-

  • Consultant Clinical Psychologist/Clinical Manager
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Social Worker (Bournemouth)
  • Social Worker (Poole)
  • Consultant Psychiatrist

An individual may be seen by one or more of the above disciplines

As a patient, how do I access services?

Referrals to CAAS are made through a GP.

How can I get involved / what support groups are available?

National Autistic Society, Tel: 020 7833 2299, Email: www.autism.org.uk

The Wessex Autistic Society, Tel: 01305 213135, Email: www.twas.org.uk

Dorset Adult Asperger Support (DAAS)

Email:www.dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk

NHS Choices, your health, your choices (Living with Autism)

Email: www.nhs.uk/livewell/autism

 

Do you have information for Carers?

Carers advice and support is provided by the Dorset Adult Asperger Support (DAAS)

To contact the team, please call:

For the Bournemouth Area - 07765 484 270

For the Dorchester and Weymouth Area - 07789 521 758

For the Poole Area - 07818 173 390

Where, when and how often are the clinics?

Clinics are held on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at:

Alderney Community Hospital Outpatients Department, Ringwood Road, Poole, BH12 4NB

Who can I contact to find out more?

Liana Murphy, Team Assistant

01202 605875

email: liana.murphy@dhuft.nhs.uk