Frequently Asked Questions

We provide autism assessments for children and young people aged 6–17 years.

No. You do not need a referral from a GP or another professional. Parents can contact Cuas Psychology Service directly.

Each assessment is completed by two Senior Clinical Psychologists with experience in child development, neurodevelopment and autism assessment.

The assessment takes place over four stages:

• Information gathering – relevant background information is gathered from parents and, where appropriate, your child's school.
• Parent interview – a detailed developmental interview completed virtually with parents.
• Child assessment – a face-to-face appointment with your child at our West Cork office.
• Feedback – an appointment with parents to discuss the findings, outcome, recommendations and next steps.

A comprehensive written report is provided following completion of the assessment.

It is a combination of both. The parent interview takes place virtually, while your child's assessment takes place face-to-face at our West Cork office.

Our assessments draw on information from a number of sources and use recognised autism assessment tools, including the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2).

Where appropriate and with parental consent, we may ask your child's school to provide information to help us understand how your child is getting on across different settings.

If school information is not available, for example during school holidays, we will discuss this with you.

Yes. The report is provided to you, and you can choose to share it with your child's school, GP or other professionals involved in supporting them.

Your feedback appointment provides an opportunity to discuss recommendations and next steps. If you would like further support, you can arrange a separate parent consultation with one of our Clinical Psychologists.

The assessment can still provide valuable information about your child's individual strengths and needs. At the feedback appointment, we will explain our findings and discuss any recommendations or next steps that may be helpful.

A parent consultation gives you dedicated time with a Clinical Psychologist to talk through concerns about your child, develop a clearer understanding of what may be happening and consider practical ways forward.

Parents come to us for many different reasons, including anxiety, emotional regulation, behaviour, routines and transitions, communication and social interaction, developmental concerns, school-related difficulties, family stress, and understanding or adjusting to a diagnosis.

No. Your child does not need an autism diagnosis or need to be undergoing an autism assessment with Cuas.

No. Parent consultations are appointments for parents or caregivers, and your child does not attend.

Yes. Parent consultations take place virtually.

There is no set number. Some parents find one consultation is enough, while others find further appointments helpful.

No. Parent consultations do not include written psychological reports, assessments or letters.

Yes. Some parents find further consultation helpful as they make sense of their child's assessment outcome or begin putting recommendations into practice.

Face-to-face autism assessment appointments take place at our West Cork office. Parent consultations and parent interviews as part of an autism assessment are conducted virtually.

You can contact us directly through the enquiry form on our website.

Yes. Information shared with Cuas is treated confidentially and handled in accordance with professional and data-protection requirements.

There are limited circumstances in which information may need to be shared without consent, including where there are concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or another person. We will explain confidentiality and its limits when you begin working with us.