Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a referral from a GP or other healthcare professional to get an autism assessment for my child?
No, you do not need a referral. Please complete our contact form or send an email to admin@solaspsychology.ie to enquire about an autism assessment for your child.
2. How much does a private autism assessment cost?
The cost for our multidisciplinary autism assessments is €2500. This includes the gathering of information prior to assessment, the ADI-R interview, ADOS-2 play-based assessment, a feedback session and the final report. On occasion, we may need to bring in additional members of our network (including psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists) to complete further assessments and/or preschool and school visits. An additional cost will be incurred should this be required, but this will always be agreed with you before proceeding.
3. Do you offer autism assessments for adults?
No, we do not currently offer autism assessments for adults. At present, we are offering autism assessments for children and young people who are 18 and younger.
4. Will the diagnosis be accepted by the HSE and the Department of Education?
Yes, our autism assessments are approved by the HSE and the Department of Education as they are administered by a multidisciplinary team and use approved assessment tools. Read more about our autism assessment process here.
5. I am getting an autism assessment for my child, do both parents need to be involved in the assessment process?
Although it is preferable for both parents to be present to contribute to the assessment process, the ADI-R interview and the overall autism assessment can be completed with one parent if necessary. Find out more about our autism assessment process here.
6. Do you assess for/diagnose ADD/ADHD/dyspraxia?
No, we do not currently assess for or diagnose ADD/ADHD/dyspraxia.
7. Is there an educational/cognitive assessment involved in the ASD Assessment?
No, there is none included as part of the autism assessment. If an educational/cognitive assessment is warranted, this will be recommended to you during the feedback session. We will never conduct further assessment without first seeking consent.
8. Where is Solas Psychology located?
Solas Psychology is located at Sakura, Glennagloghaun North, Monivea, Co. Galway, H65 AX93, Ireland. The best way to access the clinic is by car and we are located 30 minutes from Galway city and 25 minutes away from the M6 motorway to Dublin.
9. Which autism diagnostic tools do you use?
We use the ADI-R (Autism Diagnosis Interview-Revised) and ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition) diagnostic tools. The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured observational assessment of social communication and behaviour, for example. It is a play based observational tool in which the clinician works directly with the child or young person.The ADI-R usually takes the form of an interview conducted with the parents or guardians of individuals who have been referred for an autism assessment. These are considered to be gold standard assessment tools in the diagnosis of autism.
10. What age does my child need to be in order to be assessed for autism?
We assess for autism from the age of 2 - 18 years.
11. Are all of the appointments for an autism assessment held in person?
No, not all of the appointments included in the autism assessment are held in person. The ADOS-2 observational assessment is conducted in person, in our clinic in Monivea, Co. Galway. However, The ADI-R assessment is usually conducted remotely via Google Meet/Zoomor by telephone.
12. If I commit to an autism assessment, am I guaranteed to receive a diagnosis at the end of the process?
No, you are not guaranteed a diagnosis of autism following an autism assessment. However, a comprehensive assessment will be completed and recommendations will be given to address the needs of your child/young person. We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive assessments and considering differential diagnoses where appropriate.
13. Will my health insurance cover the cost of the autism assessment?
As we are a private clinic, please contact your individual health insurance provider to enquire about this.
Solas Psychology Ltd. 2025