Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
825. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the autism assessment and intervention protocol which is due to launch in February 2026 will operate; and the safeguards being put in place to ensure that this will not result in other diagnoses being missed from these children not receiving a full assessment of needs. [3329/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Autism Assessment and Intervention Protocol has been developed over a period of 5 years with input from lived experience, civil society, all clinical disciplines involved in such assessments, as well as managers and service leaders across disability, primary care and mental health services. The protocol matches the intensity of assessment to the complexity of the presentation, as decided by the assessing clinicians.
While the protocol is a pathway specifically for autism assessment, it is important to note that the process includes differential assessment and diagnosis as required to support an accurate and rounded assessment process; as well as the development of a formulation to provide clearer understanding of the person's lived experience, and the services and supports they require.
The Assessment of Need (AON) process is a separate process, intended to determine if a person has a disability as described in the Disability Act and, if they do, their health and education needs (if any) and the services required to meet those needs.
It is important to note that it is not necessary for a parent to apply for an Assessment of Need in order to access an autism assessment or health services for their child, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
Assessment through the Autism Assessment and Intervention Protocol does not affect a person’s entitlement to apply to AON under the Disability Act 2005. However, assessment under the protocol may be used to inform an Assessment of Need if appropriate.
The Autism Assessment and Intervention Protocol will for the first time provide a standardised assessment process across disability, primary care and mental health services, and these assessments will be supported by new in-reach teams, where necessary, to support community teams and promote a more effective and coherent service for autistic people. The Autism Assessment and Intervention Protocol will be the preferred assessment route for autism, allowing more timely assessments conducted only by clinicians with the required competence to undertake such assessments, and the Protocol will also promote access to the required services and supports.
