Change text size:

Change colours:

www.autismsupport.ie » www.autismireland.ie » Benefits & Entitlements » Assessment of Need

Any parent who feels that their child aged under 5 may have a disability can apply for an assessment.An application can also be made by a guardian or a personal advocate assigned by the Citizen’s Information Board (call 1890 777 121 or check out www.citizensinformation.ie).

An independent assessment of need is an assessment of the full range of your child's needs associated with his or her disability. After this you will receive an assessment report detailing your child's health and educational needs and the services required to meet those needs.

Your first point of contact is your local Assessment Officer who is responsible for your child's assessment. Each Local Health Office has an Assessment Officer. They can assist you with your child's application and help support you through the process. The Assessment Officer is responsible for issuing your child’s assessment report.

The assessment is independent, based solely on your child’s disability needs and is carried out regardless of the cost or the availability of services. All assessments will be carried out in line with the standards developed by the Health Information and Quality Authority. You will be encouraged to take part in your child’s assessment.

Applications must be made in writing on a standard form which is available from your Local Health Office. Call the HSE infoline 1850 24 1850 or check out www.hse.ie for a list of Local Health Officers in Ireland.

Click here to download an application form

Your child's assessment must start within 3 months from when the completed application form is accepted by the HSE. It must be completed within a further 3 months from the date on which the assessment commenced. In exceptional circumstances, the assessment may take longer than 3 months, but must be completed as soon as possible.

When the assessment is complete, an HSE Liaison Officer will prepare a service statement for you. The service statement will say what services and supports will be provided to your child and will be prepared within 1 month of the assessment being completed. You will receive your child's assessment report and service statement at the same time.

If you are not happy with the assessment or service statement, you can make a complaint to the HSE, will arrange for your case to be reviewed. You can complain if: -

• Your child is found not to have a disability and you do not agree;
• The assessment is not done in line with the standards set by the Health Information and Quality Authority;
• An assessment is not started and completed within the agreed timeframes;
• The services in your child’s service statement are not being delivered.

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you can appeal to an independent appeals office. The determination of the appeals officer is final and may only be appealed on a point of law to the High Court.

Applications must be made in writing on a standard form which is available from your Local Health Office. Call the HSE infoline 1850 24 1850 or check out www.hse.ie for a list of Local Health Officers in Ireland.

Contact details for your local Assessment Officer and Liaison Officer can be found in the Your County section of the website.
(Text taken from Assessing your child’s needs Disability Act 2005 – HSE publications

Source Page: http://www.autismireland.ie/benefits-entitlements/assessment-of-need/

Autism in the Media

• Autism a national epidemic
  Thu May 23 2013
• Parents of Children with Autism Invited to Major International Conference at...
  Thu May 23 2013

View All Listings