For who?

Toddlers, children & adolescents

What is it?

The term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) describes qualitative differences and impairments in social interaction, social communication and social imagination combined with restricted interests and rigid and repetitive behaviours. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in children, young people and adults if these behaviours meet the criteria defined in the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation, tenth revision (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) and have a significant impact on function.

'Dimensional elements' are now used (DSM-5) in making any diagnosis of ASD which give an indication of how much someone’s condition affects them across many domains. This helps to identify how much support an individual needs. ASD is a behaviourally defined group of disorders which is heterogeneous in both cause and manifestation. 

Best Practice Guidelines recommend that Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments are carried out using recognised standardised assessment tools, a range of assessment components (detailed below) and are multi-disciplinary. Some state-funded disability services will waitlist children for repeat/review assessment if these standards for assessment are not met in pre-existing privately-sourced reports (other interventions may be offered whilst on these ASD assessment waitlists).

The following assessment components are carried out in order to ensure a comprehensive assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• DISCO: The DISCO is a detailed semi-structured interview with parents designed by Dr Lorna Wing and Dr Judith Gould to elicit a picture of the whole person from early years to present day functioning. The primary purpose is to facilitate understanding of the pattern of social behaviour and communication over time and the skills and impairments that underlie an individual’s overt behaviour. In this way, it is possible to identify any manifestations of the autistic spectrum from the most obvious to the more subtle. 
• ADOS 2: The ADOS 2 is a semi-structured, standardised assessment of communication, social interaction, play/imaginative use of materials and restricted and repetitive behaviours. The ADOS 2 involves informal play and discussion with the child/ adolescent, as facilitated by a range of activities (e.g. telling a story/ doing a jigsaw). This assessment is carried out jointly by psychology and speech and language therapy.
• Developmental assessment (for pre-schoolers), cognitive assessment (for school age children) – please refer to descriptions of these assessments in previous categories. Can you put in links here to these?
• Observation in pre-school/ school (Kerry/Limerick area)/ assessment-based consultation with relevant day-care/ education providers.
• All assessment information is collated to support the overall diagnostic process based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.  
• Feedback is then given to parents in relation to the diagnostic formulation and recommendations for support/ services going forward.
• A detailed report is compiled which will outline the child/ adolescent’s developmental profile and the diagnostic formulation alongside any recommendations made for further support.

How much does it cost?

€1,750