Autism Assessment
You Deserve Answers. We're Here to Help.
Comprehensive, compassionate autism assessments for children and adults across Ireland โ with appointments available without the years-long HSE wait.
- Book Your Autism Assessment
Appointments available within weeks, not years.
- Or Call us: 0831599064
Serving Nationwide (Ireland) | Preferred In-Person
๐ Table of Contents
What Is an Autism Assessment in Ireland?
An autism assessment โ also called an ASD assessment or autism spectrum disorder assessment โ is a structured, in-depth evaluation carried out by qualified psychologists and clinical specialists to determine whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for autism.
In Ireland, autism is diagnosed using internationally recognised frameworks:
| Framework | Used For |
|---|---|
| DSM-5 (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual, 5th Ed.) | Primary diagnostic standard |
| ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases) | Also widely accepted in Ireland |
Autism is diagnosed by assessing two core areas:
1. Social Communication & Interaction
- How a person communicates and connects with others
- Understanding of social rules and unwritten social cues
- Use of eye contact, facial expressions, and body language
2. Restricted & Repetitive Patterns of Behaviour
- Repetitive behaviours or speech patterns (stimming, echolalia)
- Intense or highly focused interests
- Strong preferences for routine and sameness
- Sensory sensitivities (to sound, light, touch, smell, taste)
๐ Important: Autism looks different in every person. There is no single "autistic look." Our assessments are designed to capture the full picture of your unique experience.
Who Should Consider an Autism Assessment in Ireland?
๐ถ For Your Child โ Signs to Watch For
Many parents begin to notice signs in their child between 18 months and 4 years, though some children are not identified until primary or secondary school.
Early signs in toddlers and young children:
๐ฉโ๐ผ For Adults โ Could You Be Autistic?
Many adults โ particularly women and non-binary individuals โ reach their 30s, 40s, or beyond without ever receiving an autism diagnosis.
Common experiences in undiagnosed autistic adults:
๐ฌ "I spent 38 years thinking I was broken. Getting my diagnosis changed everything. I finally understood myself."
โ Time to Talk client, Dublin
Autism Assessment Cost in Ireland: Transparent Pricing
We believe in transparent, fair pricing with no hidden fees.
| Assessment Type | Investment |
|---|---|
| Child Autism Assessment (Age 2โ17) | From โฌ1,500 |
| Adult Autism Assessment (Age 18+) | From โฌ1,800 |
| Autism + ADHD Combined Assessment | From โฌ2,200 |
| Brief Autism Screening (pre-assessment) | From โฌ450 |
๐ณ Payment plans available โ ask us about spreading the cost interest-free.
Private vs HSE Autism Assessment in Ireland
| Factor | HSE (CDNT/CAMHS) | Time to Talk (Private) |
|---|---|---|
| Wait time | 2โ5+ years | 2โ4 weeks |
| Cost | Free | Fee applies (insurance often covers) |
| Report quality | Variable | Comprehensive, 30โ60 pages |
| School suitability | Variable | Fully accepted for SNA, NEPS, DARE |
| Adult assessment | Very limited | Available |
| Assessment tools | Variable | Gold standard ADOS-2 + ADI-R |
| Flexible scheduling | Limited | Evenings & weekends available |
Frequently Asked Questions
At Time to Talk, the full autism assessment process takes approximately 6โ8 weeks from initial booking to receiving your report. This includes pre-assessment questionnaires (1 week), clinical assessment sessions (1โ2 days), report writing (2โ3 weeks), and a feedback session. This is significantly faster than HSE waiting lists, which can extend to 2โ5 years.
Private autism assessment costs in Ireland typically range from โฌ800 to โฌ2,500 depending on the complexity and type of assessment. At Time to Talk, our child assessments start from โฌ1,500 and adult assessments from โฌ1,800. Payment plans are available, and many health insurance plans (VHI, Laya, Irish Life) offer partial or full reimbursement.
In Ireland, autism can be diagnosed by a qualified clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or a multidisciplinary team including these professionals. At Time to Talk, all assessments are conducted by PSI-registered clinical psychologists using gold-standard tools (ADOS-2, ADI-R).
Yes. Private autism assessments from qualified PSI-registered psychologists are fully accepted by Irish primary and secondary schools for SNA applications, resource teacher supports, NEPS assessments, and Leaving Certificate/Junior Certificate accommodations. Our reports are written to meet all relevant Irish educational requirements.
Yes. Adults of any age can receive an autism diagnosis in Ireland. At Time to Talk, we assess adults from age 18 upward. Late autism diagnosis in adulthood is increasingly common, particularly among women, and can provide life-changing clarity, access to supports, and self-understanding.
Yes. Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur โ research suggests 50โ70% of autistic people also have ADHD. At Time to Talk, we offer combined autism and ADHD assessments to identify both conditions in a single comprehensive evaluation.
๐ฌ What Our Clients Say
"The team at Time to Talk made the whole assessment process feel safe and supported. We finally have the answers we needed for our daughter."
โ Sarah M., Dublin
"I was 41 when I got my autism diagnosis. Time to Talk gave me the most comprehensive, thoughtful assessment I could have hoped for. Worth every penny."
โ James O., Cork
"The report they produced for our son was detailed, compassionate, and gave his school everything they needed to put supports in place immediately."
โ Niamh K., Galway