New autism centre to cut waiting times by three months

Ireland’s first dedicated diagnostic and assessment centre for children and families affected by autism was officially opened today.

The opening of the Solas Centre in Clontarf, Dublin 3, will reduce waiting time for diagnosis from 12 months to three months and will ultimately remove the wait for diagnosis altogether.

Prior to the opening of the centre almost 2,000 children and their families were waiting for a consultation.

The Solas Centre will provide a centre of excellence for the diagnosis and assessment of children on an all-island basis and by April 30 the centre will have facilitated the diagnosis of 82 children.

The centre will also facilitate the exchange of international best practice and research and provide support for the large population of older children and adults that have never been diagnosed or were diagnosed incorrectly.

Early detection of autism is critical and when coupled with immediate intensive intervention it can dramatically improve a child’s opportunity for positive development. Autism is on the rise in Ireland with one incidence in every 166 births (compared with one in every 2,000 births 10 years ago).

Parents seeking further information or a consultation can contact Sarah McEnerney-Buckley in the Solas Centre at 01 853 1572.