Early Diagnosis.

“It does not have to be about tragedy or pain or loss. Bearing an autistic child is not losing that child. It’s gaining a very special new son or daughter”

Jasmine Lee O’Neill, a mute autistic savant who is a poet, writer, illustrator and musician. 

As yet there are no medical tests to diagnose autism. An accurate diagnosis must be made on observation of the child’s communication, behaviour and development levels.

It has been proven worldwide that early, accurate diagnosis coupled with early, intensive intervention increases the child’s opportunity for positive development and success.

Further information can be found in the dedicated tabs on the left (top for mobile users). Please select a tab to view the information.

What can I do if I have concerns about my child?

Frequently parents don’t suspect a problem with the development of their child until 18 months to 2 years or older. Initially, if your child is still being seen by the Child Development Team at your local Health Centre, you should express your concerns to them and ask for a referral to a Developmental Paediatrician.

If your child is older, you can go to your GP and ask for the same referral.

If deemed necessary you may firstly be referred to a hearing specialist to rule out other developmental delays associated with language and communication disorders including deafness.

M-Chat: The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is a validated developmental screening tool for toddlers between 16 and 30 months of age. It is designed to identify children who may benefit from a more thorough developmental and autism evaluation.

The M-CHAT can be administered and scored as part of a well-child check-up, and also can be used by specialists or other professionals to screen for developmental delay and autism.

M-CHAT is available here. 

Developmental Milestone Checklist:

Developmental Milestone checklist available here.

Parents can refer their children to the Assessment of Need process. 

What happens after a referral is made? 

Once seen by the Paediatrician or Educational Psychologist and they agree that there are areas of your child’s development which warrant further investigation, your child will be referred again to an Autism Team, sometimes located within the Health Service Child and Family Centres, or sometimes within a hospital.

This team is typically made up of a Clinical Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Social Worker.

The Psychologist and Therapists will then conduct an assessment of your child using recognised diagnostic assessment tools coupled with their observations of the child’s behaviours.

How long will this process take?

Currently the waiting lists in Ireland are anything from 9 to 18 months before your child can be seen by the Autism Team. When seen, the diagnostic procedure can take another few months with the Therapists wishing to work with the child on several occasions.

Is there any other way to obtain a diagnosis? 

If you wish you can obtain a diagnosis privately. A Clinical Psychologist or Educational Psychologist can reach a diagnosis using recognised diagnostic assessment tools.

The Autism Research Institute in the USA have produced a diagnostic checklist (Form E2) which is available free. Parents can complete the form, return it to ARI and receive a computerised rating of where their child appears on the autistic spectrum.

Although parents can find this useful, please be aware that this is not a recognised diagnostic assessment tool as defined below.

What are ‘recognised diagnostic tools’? Why are they important?

Autism is a condition that is diagnosed based on a cluster of behavioural symptoms. These behavioural symptoms are outlined in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5, and serve to guide diagnosis; however, it is extremely important that this criteria be implemented consistently. 

Diagnostic assessment tools are checklists or rating scales used to try to more objectively (without bias) measure the characteristics of autism and to ensure an accurate and reliable diagnosis, meaning that any two practitioners will come to the same decision. This is why only certain diagnostic assessment tools are recognised by the HSE. 

While there are a number of validated assessment tools, presently the HSE requires that diagnosis be made using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS). Again, this is to ensure a consistent and universal ‘definition’ and diagnostic criteria.

I have my child’s diagnosis, what now?

One of the most important sections of the child’s diagnostic assessments are the recommendations which are made by the Autism Team, Educational or Clinical Psychologist.

The recommendations are the way forward for your child depending on their areas of skill or deficiency and define their educational and theraputic needs.

As well as including the type of educational environment best suited to your child, they will state if your child needs Speech and Language, Occupational or other therapy.

Once you are in receipt of this information you are able to register your child with the relevant bodies providing these services and claim your State Entitlements.

Please refer to our information on Education, Therapies and Entitlements.

As always, there are long waiting lists for all services for those on the autistic spectrum and a shortage of therapists in all disciplines.

However Irish Autism Action provide support and advocacy to help you secure the services your child requires.

Benefits of an early diagnosis:

• Intervention is likely to be more effective and cost less when it is provided earlier in life.
• Early Intervention can change a child’s developmental path and improve outcomes for the child and the whole family.
• Connections in the brain for the foundations for learning and behaviour are more adaptable before the age of three. Early intervention takes advantage of this brain plasticity.
• Families benefit by being better able to meet their child’s needs.