Comprehensive Assessment
A comprehensive assessment looks at the overall educational, behavioural, emotional and social profile, and where required is delivered as a fully multi-disciplinary assessment. It explores whether a child or young person may meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for conditions such as ADHD, Anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For school-aged children it also includes the educational assessment.
Due to high demand, this service is currently offered for children and adolescents only. For ASD referrals the youngest age is 3 years; for all other concerns it is 6 to 17 years. New referrals are accepted from October to April, reopening on 1 October. Please note: our comprehensive ADHD and ASD assessments are for children and young people only; we do not assess adults in the comprehensive pathway.
The assessment may involve up to three phases.
Phase 1 — Pre-appointment screening. Standardised questionnaires are completed by parent, teacher (where relevant) and sometimes the young person. Psychologist Clinton Greenford then calls to discuss the findings and you decide whether to proceed to Phase 2. No clinic appointment is required. Fee: €200. If you choose not to proceed, an optional non-diagnostic screening report can be provided for €200.
Phase 2 — Psychology. What is needed in Phase 2 is decided at the end of Phase 1. Indicative fees: Psycho-Educational Profile — €50 (pre-school, where possible), €100 (primary), €200 (secondary). ASD Diagnostic Interview (3di) with Educational Psychologist Jason Greenford — €100. Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) — €75. Comprehensive report — €300.
Phase 3 — Speech and Language. Where indicated (usually following the ASD interview), a referral is made to Senior Speech and Language Therapist Frances O'Brien, who carries out a language and communication assessment and administers the ADOS-2. Her findings are combined into one overall Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Report, signed off by the team. Fee: €350.
All assessments use formal DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Reports are generally completed within 4 weeks of the end of the process and are accepted by the HSE and the Department of Education (DES).
To begin Phase 1, complete our referral form, or book an enquiry call if you would like to discuss your situation first.