Autism Protocol FAQ

A new Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol (Autism Protocol) has been launched by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, HSE chief executive Anne O’Connor and Minister of State for Disability Emer Higgins.

On implementation, clinicians in the HSE, Section 38 and 39 organisations funded by the HSE and private providers will use the Autism Protocol. It is intended that this will provide a standardised and more specialised route for autism assessment.

The protocol will introduce a tiered approach to autism assessment, which aligns with research evidence that some presentations of autism are easier to identify than are others.

The Autism Protocol has been developed with input from people with lived experience, clinicians involved in autism assessments, and staff in disability, primary care and mental health services.

Full information on the Autism Protocol can be found on the HSE website.

See below Frequently Asked Questions, which provide information on what the new Autism Protocol will mean for children and adults seeking assessment.