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Support Pathways for Children with Additional Needs

Supporting a child with additional needs can be tough, but you’re not alone. We’ve brought together information from various organisations to make navigating the support journey easier for you. Whether you’re just starting to notice signs or have been on this journey for a while, there’s something here for every stage of your child’s life.

Where to begin if you are concerned about your child’s development

Where to begin if you are concerned about your child development.

Health Supports

Primary Care Services (PCS)

Primary Care Services (PCS) include all health professionals that you can find in your community outside of the hospital setting. If your child’s needs are non-complex and have a mild or moderate impact on your child’s life, their needs should be met by the relevant Primary Care health professionals. In Primary Care, the health professionals typically work within their discipline (for this reason, Primary Care health professionals cannot support multidisciplinary assessments). See below what health professionals work in Primary Care Services.

Health professionals in Primary Care Services (PCS)

General Practitioner (GP): a GP (your local doctor) is often the first point of contact if you would like to access specialist primary or secondary disability or mental health services. Your GP can refer you to other health professionals (e.g., in Primary Care Services and/or Children’s Disability Network Teams). Your GP can also make a referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) if you have concerns about ADHD or significant anxiety/mental health difficulties.

Public Health Nurse (PHN): A Public Health Nurse (PHN) can provide support to children throughout their childhood years and can make a referral to specialist primary or secondary disability services. You can make a regular appointment with a PHN to discuss your concerns. Contact your PHN through your HSE Local Health Office.

Speech and Language Therapist (SLT): A Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) – supports speech, language, communication, and social interaction. For example, an SLT may support your child to speak clearly so they are more easily understood.

Occupational Therapist (OT): An occupational therapist (OT) supports their clients in doing everyday activities they want and need to do when faced with illness or disability. For example, an Occupational Therapist may support your child’s self-care skills.

Physiotherapist: A Physiotherapist helps children achieve their optimal physical development. They help children experiencing delays in gross motor skills such as crawling, walking, jumping, or hopping. Physiotherapists also see children with musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., joint pain, hypermobility, torticollis).

Psychologist: A Psychologist supports children with mild to moderate psychological difficulties, for example, emotional or behavioural difficulties and issues with toileting, sleeping, or food.

Primary Care Social Worker: A Primary Care Social Worker will support you by offering emotional, practical, and social support.

Inquire about access to these health professionals through your HSE Local Health Office and for a wide range of other health services provided in your local area.

Continence Care Provision: All children aged four and over who cannot be potty trained due to a disability are entitled to nappies from the HSE. Contact your local Public Health Nurse at your HSE Local Health Office to discuss this further.

What is a Paediatrician?

A Paediatrician is a medical doctor trained to treat a broad range of childhood illnesses and diseases, such as breathing or growth problems. Your child may be referred to a paediatrician for more specialised assessments. They might explore any underlying reasons for your child’s presenting needs, such as genetic testing.

Who can make a referral to a Paediatrician?

  • Your General Practitioner (GP)
  • A health professional (e.g., Occupational Therapist)
  • Some private paediatric clinics accept self-referral

Making a referral to Primary Care Services (PCS) / Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT)

Currently, referrals to Primary Care Services and Children’s Disability Network Teams are separate. Referrals to Primary Care Services (PCS) and/or Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT) can be made by:

  • Parents/guardians
  • A General Practitioner (GP) or Public Health Nurse (PHN)
  • Any health or education professional (e.g., a teacher)
  • An Assessment Liaison Officer following the Assessment of Need process

All referrals need signed consent from parents/guardians. A referral to Primary Care Services (PCS) will ask the referrer to specify what services the child needs (e.g., psychology, speech and language, occupational therapy). Ask your HSE Local Health Office for a copy of a referral form, or contact your local Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT).

Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT)

If your child’s needs are complex and significantly impact your child’s life, your child will be seen by the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT). If your child’s referral to Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) is accepted, your child may be seen by some or all health professionals from the interdisciplinary Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) (e.g., a Psychologist and a Speech and Language Therapist). The Interdisciplinary Team is a team of professionals who work together to meet your child’s needs with a joint care and support plan. The Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) is a family-centred service. This means that the team will work with you to set and achieve goals for your child and your family. They will create a support plan called the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and help you use everyday activities to achieve the identified goals.

What happens after the referral to a health professional?

  • You will receive a letter inviting you to an appointment with an assigned health professional. Each health professional your child will see may:
  • Spend time with your child and observe your child in play
  • Administer certain tests and tasks (e.g., ask your child to point to pictures, do puzzles, play games with them, etc.)
  • Ask you and/or other important people in your child’s life (e.g., a teacher) questions about your child’s learning and development.

Before your child is seen by a public health professional, you may be invited to attend a group programme for parents (e.g., a parenting course, a course on supporting language development, etc.)

It is a good idea to prepare for an appointment by writing down why you are concerned and any observations you have.

What is an Assessment of Need (AON)?

If your child has a disability or thinks they may have one, you can apply for an Assessment of Need. Under the Disability Act 2005 all children with disabilities in Ireland have a right to: 

Under the Disability Act 2005, all children with disabilities in Ireland have a right to:

  • An independent assessment of their health needs,
  • An assessment report,
  • A statement of the services they will receive,
  • Make a complaint if they are not happy with any part of the process.

Parents can apply directly for an Assessment of Need; you do not need to be referred by a medical practitioner. It is recommended that you apply for Assessment of Need at the same time as you refer your child to the Primary Care / Children’s Disability Network Team.  

Do not wait for the Assessment of Need process to be completed before you refer your child for support. 

To apply for an Assessment of Need (AON), contact your local Assessment Officer or ask for an Assessment of Need (AON) application form and post this to your local Assessment Officer. You can do this at your HSE Local Health Office. Once you send in your application, you will receive a letter confirming its receipt, and the Assessment Officer will contact you for more information about your child. 

The assigned Liaison Officer will then make appropriate referrals to these services on your behalf. The Assessment of Need process will usually engage a team of health professionals, typically a Clinical Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist and/or Occupational Therapist. However, some children will be assessed by one health professional. The Assessment Officer will decide whether your child needs a team or individual assessment. 

The Assessment of Need is not a diagnostic process, i.e., your child will not receive a diagnosis of their disability, instead, you will receive a statement of your child’s needs (‘assessment report’) and recommendations for what services are needed to meet these needs (‘service statement’).  

If you are confused about how the public health services are organised, ask at your HSE Local Health Office.

Residents of Tallaght

If you live in Tallaght, contact infoaon.cho7@hse.ie

Drop-in Advice Clinics

Some HSE Local Health Offices operate advice clinics. This is confidential parenting advice for parents and carers who may have questions or concerns about their child’s behaviour, emotions, or development. You do not need to have an appointment to attend these clinics.

  • Phone 01-921 4904 for the Tallaght Psychology drop-in clinic.
  • Phone 01-795 7430 for Tallaght SLT drop-in clinic.

Or enquire at your HSE Local Health Office for other advice clinics.

How to help Children’s Early Communication Development

Private Specialist Health Services

You may choose to see a Private Health Specialist. We recommend you discuss this first with your GP, and some Private Health Specialists will only see you if you have a GP referral. Assessment costs may range from €450 to €2,000+. There may be waiting lists, too, but they are generally shorter than public services. You can ask for a screening instead of a full assessment; this will be cheaper and may give you some recommendations. However, a screening will not provide a diagnosis.

Accessing private assessments and support for your child can be costly. Health insurance companies offer individual policies for children for as little as €35 per month, allowing you to claim up to 75% of the cost of private therapies back. You can also claim 20% tax back on health expenses via your annual Tax Return.

To find a private clinic in your area, do a Google search, ask other parents, join Facebook groups, and ask there. The provider may have a paediatric clinic if you have private health insurance. A clinic may be able to offer a full multidisciplinary assessment.

Find a private health professional; check that the professional is registered with a professional body in Ireland;

Many health professionals will need other health professionals to confirm or rule out certain diagnoses, so you are likely to be asked to see more than one professional. Thus, for complex needs, it may be more beneficial to find a multidisciplinary clinic, though a single professional may give you some helpful recommendations in their area of expertise.

Support for Parents of Children with Additional Needs

Charities that provide support

These charities provide excellent support and guidance:

Facebook and Instagram support Groups

  • DCA Warriors: Aims to improve the quality of life of families affected by disability by providing support and information to members. The group also supports those needing assistance with applications for financial support (Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance/Benefit) and/or with special educational issues.
  • Autism Mamai Ireland: A support group for parents of Autistic children. A place to chat and ask for advice.
  • @fussireland: An advocacy group founded by the parents of neurodiverse and disabled children—a place to learn and access information.

Support in Tallaght

  • Family Carers Ireland: Provides support and advocacy for family carers. Members can avail of its services, including carer groups, counseling, a freephone careline, training, legal advice, and an emergency scheme. For details, and to contact the Carer Support Manager for Dublin Region, see Family Carers Ireland, or call National Freephone Careline: 1800 240724.
  • Tallaght Parents Autism Support Group: Education and advice for families with Autistic children via monthly support meetings and a Facebook group. Contact via Facebook Messenger.
  • Family Resource Centres: Offer a range of programmes and supports for children and families in their local areas. Ask also about other local Community Centres and what they offer.
  • Social Prescribing: Connects people with supports and activities in the community to strengthen their health, wellbeing, and quality of life. If you feel lonely, socially isolated, anxious, depressed, and/or in need of social supports contact a Social Prescriber or ask your GP for support and/or a referral to a Social Prescriber. For other Health and Wellbeing, Lifelong Learning, Community Development and Enterprise & Employment Supports, see www.sdcpartnership.ie.

Parenting Support and Programmes

Various parenting supports and programmes (e.g., Incredible Years Programme, Parents Plus Programmes) are offered by organisations in Tallaght. Some of these may be specific and/or beneficial for families with children with additional needs (e.g., Parents Plus Special Needs Programme, Parents Plus for ADHD). Contact your local Child and Family Support Network Coordinator (CFSN) for what’s available in your area.

See also activities and programmes run by the Children and Families Team at the South Dublin County Partnership or contact Parenting Support Officer at the South Dublin County Partnership.

For more information about parenting support programmes, visit our CDI Parent’s Hub, contact us info@cdi.ie, or visit

Respite Support

Respite is taking a break from caring while the person you care for is looked after by someone else.
Useful websites:

Additional Education Supports for Children with Special Educational Needs

Find your local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).

Preschool Supports

All children in Ireland are eligible for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme and National Childcare Scheme (NCS). These schemes provide free (ECCE) and/or subsidised (NCS) childcare places for children. See a list of participating services: www.childcare.ie

Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) in Early Childhood Care and Education

Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) in Early Childhood Care and Education: Your child’s preschool service provider can apply for targeted supports under this model, for example, additional assistance in the preschool room, specialised equipment or minor alterations, and/or therapeutic supports. See: www.aim.gov.ie. Any equipment that children receive through AIM will transfer to school with them. Children with additional needs can apply for one extra year in preschool if they are not ready for school. They can also apply for an over age exception to continue their preschool education. AIM’s supports will also be provided during this additional year.

Autistic-specific Early Years education

Some children may also access autistic-specific Early Years education outside of the ECCE scheme, if recommended on the child’s report.

There are two main types:

  • Early Intervention Classes: These are usually located within or attached to a national school.
  • Private autism-specific preschools: These are usually funded through the Home Tuition Grant. Places in these preschools will only be funded for those children who cannot access a suitable place in an Early Intervention class.

Home Tuition

The Home Tuition Grant is available to Autistic children aged between 2 ½ years and 5 years of age who cannot find an appropriate early intervention placement within the State Education system. The Department of Education will sanction Home Tuition for children who are unable to source a suitable place so that the child can get early intervention from a sanctioned organisation such as a specialist autism preschool who have a direct payment agreement with the Department of Education or from a suitably qualified teacher or tutor who can work with the child in their own home.

Children diagnosed with autism can access 10 hours of home tuition per week from age 2.5 and, from age 3, a place in Early Intervention Class or 20 hours of home tuition until school entry.

Diagnosed Autistic children who attend a local ECCE preschool can also avail of 5 hours home tuition a week. 15 preschool hours + 5 hours Home Tuition = the 20 hours that Autistic preschool children are entitled to. Contact your local SENO for further information. See www.ncse.ie/seno-support-service.

Children with a visual impairment can avail of the Home support Teacher from the Department of Education. This intervention should be applied for at the time of diagnosis.

Children with significant hearing loss can avail of the support of the visiting teacher for the Deaf. This intervention should be applied for at the time of diagnosis.

Primary and Post-primary School Supports

  • Access to Special Needs Assistant (SNA): SNA stands for Special Needs Assistant. They play an important role in helping the teacher support students with special educational needs and significant care needs. Your child’s school allocates access to SNA. Discuss with your child’s Principal.
  • Access to Special Education Teaching: Your child’s school allocates this. Discuss it with your child’s school.
  • National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS): Access to this service is allocated by your child’s school. Discuss with your child’s school.
  • Assistive Technology:our school can apply for assistive technology equipment for your child to use at school (e.g., laptops, iPads, audiology equipment). Applications for assistive technology must be based on a professional recommendation for same. Discuss with your child’s school.
  • Summer Provision: This is funding for parents/guardians to engage a teacher or SNA to provide tuition or care support as appropriate in the child’s home during the summer. All students in special schools and special classes in primary and post-primary schools are eligible. Some students in mainstream schools with special educational needs are also eligible. Apply through your child’s school by completing a Grant Claim Form. See: www.gov.ie/summer-provision.
  • School Transport: If your child has a disability and attends a special class or special school, the SENO can apply for special transport arrangements, including bus escorts and safety harnesses. Discuss with your child’s school.
  • Reasonable Accommodation at Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme: Under this scheme, post-primary students with disabilities may receive special arrangements while sitting state examinations (e.g., assistive technology, access to a scriber, exemption from the aural part of the exam, etc.). Discuss this with your child’s school principal and/or SEN coordinator. This is a booklet about school supports.

Special Schools / Classes and School Transitions

After School And Social Supports

  • Sensory Fun with Friends: Weekly activities and school holiday camps for children with complex additional needs and their siblings. Email: sensoryfunwithfriends@gmail.com.
  • Open Spectrum: Extracurricular activities for children and young people with ASD in South Dublin. www.openspectrum.ie.
  • Social Circle: Activities for individuals with ASD and their siblings. Contact via Facebook messenger.
  • Many community organisations run groups that may be specific and/or beneficial for children with additional needs (e.g., parent and toddler groups, LEGO groups, STEM programmes). Contact your local Child and Family Support Network Coordinator (CFSN) for what’s available in your area. www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/child-and-family-support-network-co-ordinators.
  • Ask your local CFSN Coordinator about Meitheal – a national interagency support model led by Tusla. If you feel that your child is facing challenges that are difficult to overcome, and you are finding it hard to access the support necessary to help them, Meitheal may be able to help you.
  • See also activities and programmes run by the Children and Families Team at the South Dublin County Partnership or contact the Family Learning Officer at the South Dublin County Partnership. www.sdcpartnership.ie/support-your-children-family.
  • South Dublin Libraries have a collection of specialised toys and resources for children (and adults) with learning difficulties and disabilities. These can be borrowed free of charge as part of the Toys, Technology and Training initiative (TTT). Find your local library on www.southdublinlibraries.ie.
  • See also: www.asiam.ie, www.middletown.ie, www.sensationalkids.ie, www.thinkingtoys.ie, www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie

Financial Supports

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA)

  • A monthly payment for parents of children who require substantial care, over and above the care that would usually be required by children of the same age. You can apply for it without your child having a diagnosis (e.g., while waiting for a diagnosis). DCA is not means-tested (this means that e.g., you can receive both Carer’s Allowance and DCA payments).
  • For more information on the application process visit: DCA Information on www.gov.ie:
  • If your child is in receipt of DCA then s/he is automatically entitled to a non means-tested medical card

Carer’s Allowance

A weekly payment to people on low incomes who care for a person who needs support because of age, disability, or illness. Carer’s Allowance is means-tested. To apply, fill out an application form for Carer’s Allowance (CR1) (pdf). You can get this form (CR1) from your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizens Information Centre.

Carer’s Benefit

A weekly payment to people who leave work to care for a person who needs full-time care. You must have paid sufficient PRSI contributions from your employment to receive this benefit. You can get a Carer’s Benefit for a total of 104 weeks for each person being cared for. Carer’s Benefit is not means-tested. To apply, fill out an application form for Carer’s Benefit (pdf). You can get this form (CARB1) from your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

Carer’s Support Grant

This is paid once a year, in June. Awarded automatically if you receive DCA, Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit.

Carers GP Visit Card

If you get Carers Benefit or Carers allowance at full or half rate, you can visit your GP for free. Phone 0818 22 44 78 to order an application by post.

Income Tax Credits and Reliefs

  • Incapacitated Child Tax Credit: See details on www.revenue.ie.
  • Dependant Relative Tax Credit: Tax credit for people caring for relatives. See details on www.revenue.ie.
  • Home Carer Tax Credit: Tax credit for married couples or civil partners where one spouse or civil partner works in the home caring for a dependant person. See details on www.revenue.ie.
  • You can claim VAT refunds on aids and appliances including ICT equipment purchased to manage disability (e.g., an iPad).
  • You can claim a range of tax reliefs in connection with the purchase or use of motor vehicles under the Disabled Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme. See www.ddai.ie.
  • Families may be entitled to a reduction in the amount of income tax they have to pay on their earnings.

Other Financial Supports

  • If you receive Carer’s Allowance and/or other disability-related payments, you are also entitled to other financial supports, including Household Benefits Package, Free Travel Pass and/or Medical Card that gives you access to medical services, prescription medicines, and hospital care for free.
  • Housing Adaptation Grant: Financial assistance to make changes or adaptations to your home (e.g., making it wheelchair-accessible, adding a ground-floor bathroom). See www.localgov.ie.
  • Fully Funded Energy Upgrades (formally known as Warmer Homes Scheme): If you are in receipt of one of the following welfare payments: DCA, Carers Allowance (and live with the person you are caring for), or Disability Allowance (for over six months and have a child under seven years of age), and own and live in your own home which was built prior to 2006 — you will meet the three criteria to apply for the Fully Funded Energy Upgrade Scheme. For further information, see https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully- funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/
  • Many places offer free or reduced-cost entries for carers with a Family Carer Membership card (e.g., cinemas, Tayto Park). www.familycarers.ie.
  • See www.financialwellbeing.ie for advice on financial planning for the future of a child with disabilities (including establishing a trust).

We’d like to express our gratitude to the local professionals and organisations who contributed to this guide. Their expertise has been invaluable. If you have suggestions for improvements, please get in touch with us at info@cdi.ie. Here is a pdf of  Support Pathways for Children with Additional Needs.