Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Neurodiverstiy and Neurodivergence?
Neurodiversity refers to diversity within areas of the brain and between different brains. Like in biodiversity, where there are different types of animals, plants, trees, and organisms, etc., in neurodiversity, there are different types of human brains known as neurotypes and differences within brains known as neurodivergences. This means that there are different ways in which brains operate and are structured, from how we perceive, process information, communicate, interact and connect with the world and each other.
Different neurotypes and neurodivergences include brains that are neurotypical, Autistic, ADHD, Dyspraxic, Dyslexic etc. Neurotypical brains are considered to be the most common neurotype in terms of how our brains are structured and understand the world. People with non-neurotypical brains are considered to be Neurodivergent, i.e. different to or divergent from what is considered to be the most typical or majority neurotype.
Recognising neurodiversity means we value neurodivergences. Neurodivergences are not seen as deficient or disordered. They are different ways of experiencing the world, but they are just as valid as the neurotypical neurotype. There is great strength and power in having a neurodiverse human population. Many of humankind's outstanding achievements have come about because of the incredible variety in how we experience, understand, interact, and learn in the world. This is the power of neurodiversity.
2. What do you mean by “Neuroaffirmative”?
Neuroaffirmative means that we do not view being Autistic as something that is “wrong” with a child or young person, or that something is “broken” or needs fixing. Instead, we view being Autistic as being a different Neurotype that is a part of human diversity. Our process is Neuroaffirmative in its approach which means we seek to understand the child or young person holistically and understand their strengths, neutral characteristics and needs within society and environments along with recognising the challenges a child or young person experiences.
A Neuroaffirmative process recognises that both strengths and challenges exist and they can change depending on context, but it doesn’t seek to change the individual to improve the challenges; rather it seeks to accommodate needs and to establish the appropriate supports a child or young person requires in order to thrive in their life. Neuroaffirmative processes seek to improve challenges by addressing the barriers within their environment and making adaptions to accommodate a person’s needs and to establish the appropriate supports a child or young person requires to grow through their own authentic neurotype. It does not seek to fundamentally change the individual or make adaptions to their behaviour so that they appear more like a neurotypical person or less Autistic.
3. Will my child’s report be accepted by the HSE?
Yes, your child’s report will be accepted by the HSE, Department of Education, and any other service provider. All of our assessments and reports are in line with best practice procedures and adhere to the requirements of HSE and other services.
4. What assessment tools do you use to explore Autistic identity?
In line with best practice guidelines (see PSI and NICE “autism assessment” guidelines), we gather detailed information relating to the DSM-5 criteria.
5. How can I add my child to the waiting list?
Please contact info@childversity.ie to request our booking forms. Your child’s name will be added to our waiting list once we receive the signed consent and parent intake forms.
6. Do you have a cancellation list?
No, we don’t operate a cancellations list. Instead, we offer our cancellations to the next family on our waiting list in date order unless they have indicated that they would prefer to wait for our regularly scheduled appointments.
7. Do you offer reduced fees or a sliding scale of fees?
No, unfortunately we do not currently offer reduced fees or a sliding scale of fees.
8. I need to cancel/reschedule my appointment. What is your cancellation policy?
Please give us as much as notice as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. Your appointments are reserved especially for you and your family. If we do not receive sufficient notice, we may be unable fill the appointments, and the families on our waiting list cannot avail of the support they need. Please note that we schedule our appointments one month in advance and so there may be a waiting time before we can offer an alternative appointment should you need to cancel.
9. Is there any support following my child’s identification?
Yes, if your child or young person is identified as being Autistic, our service partners at Thriving Autistic (www.thrivingautistic.org) offer a follow-up support session to parents. This session is included in the overall cost and allows you the space to adjust to the new information about your child being Autistic and to begin the process of understanding Autistic experiences and what your child’s needs are. For further information please click on the “Post-Identification Support” at the top of this page.
10. My child has already been identified as being Autistic. Where can I get support with this?
Our service partners at Thriving Autistic (www.thrivingautistic.org) can offer parents a space to adjust to their child’s identity and in establishing what their child needs. Your local public service can also provide information and therapeutic supports where needed (subject to local waiting times).
11. Do you offer assessments for other things, e.g. Dyslexia, ADHD etc.?
No, we specialise in Autistic identification. However, if it becomes apparent during the course of your child’s process with us that your child might be otherwise Neurodivergent, we will discuss this with you and support you with onward referrals where appropriate.
12. Will your assessment determine the “level of autism”?
We do not assign “levels” to children as it is not an accurate representation of a person’s strengths and needs. Autism “levels” are often very misleading and inaccurate. Levels are typically focused on externalising needs (i.e. what others see) rather than internalising needs (i.e. what a person experiences internally). Therefore, they are often assigned from the outside perspective, often with little understanding of the internal state of the Autistic person. A person’s support needs can change over time, depending on specific demands and environmental barriers as our world is primarily designed for neurotypical people. It is more beneficial to consider your child’s individual profile including their strengths and areas of need.
13. Where are you located?
Our assessment space is located in Sallins, Co. Kildare, but most aspects of the assessment process with us will be carried out remotely.
14. My child already has been identified as being Autistic. Do you offer therapy?
Therapeutic support in relation to adjusting to being Autistic can be found at www.thrivingautistic.org (our service partners) and other therapeutic supports (e.g. Speech and Language Therapy, Psychology etc.) are available via public health services or other private providers.
15. I don’t know if my child needs an autism assessment, can I discuss this with you?
Yes, we offer a consultation session for those who wish to discuss whether a full exploration of their experiences is warranted or not. The fee for this consultation is €200 and should you decide to progress with a full exploration, this amount is deducted from the full fee. Please note that the purpose of this consult is to determine whether further exploration is warranted or not, it will not be possible to provide recommendations outside of this or to determine if your child is Autistic or not based on the consultation alone.
16. I am Autistic myself and I would like for my child to attend your service. I find it difficult to engage with new people. Can you accommodate my communication preferences?
Yes, we can accommodate your preferences for how you feel you best communicate and share information. We can do this by email, letter, phone, video call, or in-person, depending on which you feel works best for you. Please make contact with us by emailing info@childversity.ie and we can work with you to find a way to make the process comfortable for both you and your child.
17. My child has been identified as being Autistic and I think I am Autistic too. Where can I access an assessment for myself?
At present, it is extremely difficult to access an adult Autistic identification publicly, unless you are involved in mental health services and your team agrees to carry out this piece. There are private options for accessing an adult Autistic identification and we would recommend The Adult Autism Practice (www.adultautism.ie) who specialise in Neuroaffirmative collaborative identification of Autistic experiences for adults.
18. My child/teenager is experiencing uncertainty in relation to their gender OR my child/teenager is transgender/non-binary. Do you have experience in working with Autistic experiences and gender variance?
Yes, our team has undertaken additional training in relation to gender identity and Autistic experiences. We have worked with many transgender and gender questioning children and young people and are experienced in relation to supporting them through an Autistic identification process and in linking them in with appropriate and helpful supports following identification of their Autistic identity.
19. My child/teenager says that they do not wish to attend to meet with you but I feel that there is a strong possibility that they are Autistic. Can they still have an assessment?
We understand that if your child or young person is Autistic, meeting with an unfamiliar person in a new environment that is away from their own surroundings can be a highly stressful experience for them. Please make contact with us and we can work together to find ways to accommodate your child/young person’s needs in relation to engaging with the process.
20. In your website, why do you use “Autistic” and not “has autism”?
It is the preference of the Autistic community to use identity-first language rather than person-first language. Identity-first language means stating that a person “is Autistic”. Person-first language means describing a person as “having autism”. Most Autistic people consider being Autistic to be entwined into every part of their identity and therefore prefer others to refer to them as Autistic, rather than a “person with autism” which suggests that being Autistic is just one part of an otherwise non-Autistic person. Out of respect for the preference of the Autistic community that we work with and for, we use identity-first language within our service.
21. How do you ensure that your practice continues to be informed by and aligned with the needs and preferences of the Autistic community?
We are mixed neurotype team and we consult with the Autistic community to ensure that we are upholding the core values of our service and that we are aligned with the needs and preferences of the Autistic community. We also engage in training and education from the Autistic community in relation to current research. We are proud to partner with Thriving Autistic who provide post-identification support to our clients. Thriving Autistic are a team of Neurodivergent professionals.
22. How will my child’s data be stored?
Your child’s information will be stored in compliance with EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
23. Can you help me with completing DCA applications?
We also provide a letter in support of your DCA application. Your GP is required to complete a section of the DCA application form.
24. Can you provide my child’s school with recommendations?
Your child’s report will include detailed recommendations for their school or education setting.
25. Do you know about how being Autistic impacts girls and young women?
Yes, our team is very aware of the experiences of Autistic girls and young women. We have undertaken additional training provided by Autistic women to better understand their experiences both as adults and as children and we have also supported many young girls in learning about their Autistic identity.
26. I am a social worker supporting a child in foster care who we think may be Autistic. Is this something you can provide?
Yes, we can provide this. Please contact us for further information.