Pre-assessment support
Pre-assessment support
Resources for people who may be autistic or have neurodivergent needs and are awaiting assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Service in Wigan
We provide diagnostic assessments for adults aged 16 and over in order to determine whether an individual might have autism.
We are a team of clinical psychologists and we will arrange an initial meeting, when you are at the top of our waiting list, to start the assessment. The assessment may take a number of sessions in order that we can gather relevant information.
We also offer some short-term follow-up for those individuals who receive a diagnosis to support them to understand autism and to work towards developing coping strategies for situations which may be difficult.
Who is our service for?
Our service is available for Wigan residents aged 16 and above who are registered with a Wigan GP.
Who do we work in partnership with?
GPs and mental health services and Adult Services (Wigan Council).
How to access our service
You will need a referral from your GP or other medical doctor, this may also be a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
What will happen at your first appointment?
You will meet with one or two of the team to gather some initial clinical information. You may be asked to undertake some standardised assessments which will involve discussing aspects relevant to autism as well as some additional tasks.
Where will my appointment be?
Take a look around our Specialist Psychological Therapy Service (SPTS), located at the Hazelmere Unit on the Leigh Infirmary site. Here is what to expect when you come for an appointment.
Video transcript
Welcome to the Specialist Psychological Therapy Service (SPTS).
We are located at the Hazelmere Unit at Leigh Infirmary. This is where your autism diagnostic assessment will be.
When you arrive, a member from our admin team will be at the reception. Or you can ring the doorbell for attention.
Once you check in, you can go through to our main waiting room area. Here you can find information leaflets and posters about our service and other services.
If you prefer, we have a quiet waiting area through the next set of doors. This is also the location of our water cooler and where you can find the toilets.
Room five is one of our appointment rooms for assessments.
Room four is another appointment room for assessments.
We also use the room named ‘Sue’s Suite’ for assessments.
Room one is sometimes used for other appointments, such as our post diagnostic support one-to-one sessions.
This is the end of our tour of SPTS at the Hazelmere Unit.
Community drop-in sessions
We run monthly community drop-in sessions for individuals awaiting assessment and diagnosed autistic people who are over the age of 16 from the Wigan and Leigh area.
The sessions provide a place for autistic people and people waiting for an assessment to meet and socialise with likeminded individuals, as well as experts by experience and staff from our service.
People are welcome to attend the sessions with a friend, a relative or come alone.
There will be refreshments available and a talk about/from different services, including how to access them and how they may benefit autistic people and individuals waiting for an assessment.
People are welcome to come and just listen or ask questions, whichever is most comfortable for them.
As the drop-in is run by our service, a member of the team will always be there to answer any questions or queries.
Location, time, and dates
Sessions will take place in the main room of the Family Welfare Centre in Leigh. The address is Adult Learning Centre, Walmesley Road, Leigh WN7 1XN.
All sessions are from 1-3pm.
Dates
- Thursday 24 July 2025
- Thursday 21 August 2025
- Thursday 25 September 2025
- Thursday 23 October 2025
If you have any questions about the drop-in, please email SPTS@gmmh.nhs.uk or call 01942 764 461.
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust