Q: What are the fees?

Multi-Disciplinary Autism Diagnostic Assessment: €2650 Multi-Disciplinary Autism Diagnostic Assessment without Cognitive/Learning/Developmental Assessment : €2200 Educational Psychology Assessment: €1100 Cognitive Assessment: €850 Academic Assessment: €750Consultation: €170. If a consultation is required before the assessment, the consultation fee is deducted from the total fee for the assessment.Letter Fee: €90.Terms: Psychological reports cannot be dispatched until payment is received.The feedback meeting cannot take place until payment is received.

Question 1

Which assessment should I choose?

Accepted Answer

If you wish to determine whether your child is on the autism spectrum, you should choose the multi-disciplinary autism diagnostic assessment.

If you believe that your child may have a learning disability (e.g. dyslexia or general learning difficulty), you should choose the educational psychology assessment.  The educational psychology assessment can either diagnose or rule out a learning disability.

If you would like to determine your child's academic strengths and weaknesses (literacy and numeracy), you should choose the academic assessment. This assessment does not lead to a diagnosis. This assessment is useful if your child has already been diagnosed with a learning disability and you would like to see how they have responded to intervention.

If you believe that your child is gifted, you should choose the cognitive assessment.

If you are unsure which assessment is required, the psychologist may recommend scheduling a consultation. The consultation allows the psychologist to determine which type of assessment is required to support your child's needs. If you choose to proceed with an assessment after the consultation, the consultation fee of €170 will be deducted from the total fee for the assessment.

Question 2

How soon can my child be assessed?

Accepted Answer

Our current waiting times are updated regularly and are highlighted in yellow at the top of the homepage.

Please  click on the button below to check the latest times.

Question 3

What are the fees?

Accepted Answer

Multi-Disciplinary
Autism Diagnostic Assessment

€2650 for full diagnostic assessment

€2200 without learning/developmental assessment

Understand your child's unique strengths and needs. Conducted by a Chartered Educational and Child Psychologist and a Senior Speech and Language Therapist, this multidisciplinary assessment provides a thorough evaluation of autism, learning difficulties, and developmental delays, together with personalised recommendations for the next steps.

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Meet the Team

Question 4

Are your clinicians fully qualified and registered with the appropriate professional bodies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All assessments are carried out by fully qualified and professionally registered clinicians.

Our assessments are conducted by Dr. Saoirse Mac Cárthaigh, a Chartered Psychologist who holds Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Professional Doctorate of Educational and Child Psychology qualifications. He is a Chartered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland and adheres to its ethical and professional standards for psychological assessment and diagnosis. His Psychological Society of Ireland registration number is M12071C.

Our senior speech and language therapist, Sinead Coughlan, holds a Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy and is a certified clinical speech-language pathologist. She is registered with CORU, the statutory regulatory body for health and social care professionals in Ireland, and her CORU registration number is SL018615. She specialises in communication, language, and related developmental needs.

This ensures that all assessments are conducted safely, ethically, and in line with best clinical practice.

Question 5

Do you offer assessments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer diagnostic assessments for ADHD. However, as part of an educational psychology assessment or a multi-disciplinary autism diagnostic assessment, we can screen for this condition and recommend further evaluation, if necessary.

If you require a diagnostic assessment for ADHD, please visit ADHD Ireland.

Question 6

Are assessments accepted by the HSE and the Department of Education etc.?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As a chartered educational and child psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland, our team's reports are accepted by all government agencies, including the National Council for Special Education, the HSE, the Department of Education, and Tusla Child and Family Agency.

Chartered membership number: M12071C.

Click here to verify chartered membership with the Psychological Society of Ireland.

Question 7

How long does it take for the report to be dispatched?

Accepted Answer

Generally, educational psychology assessment reports will be dispatched within six days of the assessment.  In some cases, if the assessment is more complex, the turnaround time may be longer.  If this is the case, you will be informed in advance. The report cannot be dispatched before payment is received.

Autism diagnostic assessment reports are usually available two weeks after all the assessment components have been completed (including information from the school).

Question 8

What is an educational and child psychologist?

Accepted Answer

Educational and child psychologists have extensive doctoral-level training and experience working with children and young people. They apply psychological research to understand thinking skills, feelings, behaviour and relationships.

Question 9

If my child is assessed privately, will we still be able to avail of public services?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 10

How can I make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Email us on info@smcpsychology.ie or get in touch through this contact form.

Early booking is advised due to high demand.

Question 11

Do I need to submit documents before the assessment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You will be asked to complete a detailed online questionnaire before the assessment.
 
You will also be asked to provide copies of any relevant reports from other professionals (e.g., psychological reports, occupational therapy reports or school reports).

Question 12

Should I tell my child that they are meeting a psychologist?

Accepted Answer

This is largely dependent on your child's age. With younger children, don’t need to use the word psychologist when talking to your child about the appointment. Many families find it helpful to say something like:

“You’re going to meet someone who’s really good at finding out what kids are great at—and if there’s something tricky like reading or spelling, they can help figure out a way to make it easier.”

We want your child to feel comfortable and curious, not worried or unsure. You can show them pictures of the office (available on our website) so they can see what it looks like and know what to expect. You can also introduce them to us ahead of time by looking at the pictures of the clinicians on the website. This helps children feel more at ease before they walk in the door.

Our goal is to create a welcoming and encouraging space where your child can feel proud of their strengths and supported in anything they find challenging.

Question 13

What will an educational psychology assessment with my child involve?

Accepted Answer

The assessment always involves these components:
 
• Interview with the parent(s) / guardian(s). This interview is conducted remotely via encrypted video conference, several days before the assessment with your child.

• 1-4 hour assessment with your child at the clinic in Fairview, Dublin 3. One parent / guardian is required to remain present for the duration of the assessment.

• Feedback of assessment results. This feedback is conducted remotely via encrypted video conference, approximately one week after the assessment.

• Provision of a detailed psychological report.

​
Sometimes, the assessment involves these components:
 
• Questionnaires completed by parent(s) / guardian(s) and teacher(s).

• An interview with teacher(s).

• A school observation.

Question 14

Where will the assessment occur?

Accepted Answer

Assessments are conducted at our practice in Fairview, Dublin 3.

One parent or guardian must remain in the assessment room for the duration of the assessment.

Images of the assessment space are available in the slideshow above.

Question 15

Will the report have recommendations for home and school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Whether your child is found to have a disability or not, the report will describe in detail the strengths of the child and what areas need to be addressed at home and at school.

Question 16

Is remote assessment possible?

Accepted Answer

The interview and feedback components of the assessment can be conducted remotely.  Remote assessment with the child is not possible.

Question 17

How can I pay for services?

Accepted Answer

Payment may be made in cash, via bank transfer, or with Revolut.
 
The report cannot be dispatched and the feedback meeting cannot be conducted before payment is received.

Question 18

Is parking available at the practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is free onsite parking at the practice.

Question 19

Are SMC Psychology clinicians available for legal work?

Accepted Answer

No. Reports published by SMC Psychology are not intended for medico-legal purposes. They are solely intended for clinical/educational assessment. Any use of our reports for legal or forensic purposes is not recommended, as they have not been prepared or validated for such purposes.

Question 20

Do both parents need to provide consent for the assessment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A consent form must be signed before the assessment can proceed. In most cases, this requires signatures from both parents or legal guardians. However, if only one parent holds legal decision-making rights, a single signature is sufficient once appropriate documentation is provided.

Chartered Educational & Child Psychologist

Dr Saoirse Mac Cárthaigh

B.Sc., M.Sc., Psy.D., C.Psychol., Ps.S.I., M12071C

Autism Assessments: Waiting List Paused
Educational Assessments: Waiting List Paused

5.0 Rating on

Helping Your Child Thrive

ASSESSMENT

Educational Psychology
Assessment

Multi-Disciplinary
Autism Diagnostic Assessment

Educational Psychology Assessment

Academic Assessment

Cognitive Assessment

ABOUT

Trusted By:

INSTAGRAM

CONTACT

COMMON QUESTIONS

Which assessment should I choose?

How soon can my child be assessed?

What are the fees?

Are your clinicians fully qualified and registered with the appropriate professional bodies?

Do you offer assessments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Are assessments accepted by the HSE and the Department of Education etc.?

How long does it take for the report to be dispatched?

What is an educational and child psychologist?

If my child is assessed privately, will we still be able to avail of public services?

How can I make an appointment?

Do I need to submit documents before the assessment?

Should I tell my child that they are meeting a psychologist?

What will an educational psychology assessment with my child involve?

Where will the assessment occur?

Will the report have recommendations for home and school?

Is remote assessment possible?

How can I pay for services?

Is parking available at the practice?

Are SMC Psychology clinicians available for legal work?

Do both parents need to provide consent for the assessment?

Chartered Educational & Child Psychologist

Dr Saoirse Mac Cárthaigh

B.Sc., M.Sc., Psy.D., C.Psychol., Ps.S.I., M12071C

Autism Assessments: Waiting List Paused Educational Assessments: Waiting List Paused

5.0 Rating on

Helping Your Child Thrive

ASSESSMENT

Educational Psychology Assessment

Multi-Disciplinary Autism Diagnostic Assessment

Educational Psychology Assessment

Academic Assessment

Cognitive Assessment

ABOUT

Trusted By:

INSTAGRAM

CONTACT

COMMON QUESTIONS

Which assessment should I choose?

How soon can my child be assessed?

What are the fees?

Are your clinicians fully qualified and registered with the appropriate professional bodies?

Do you offer assessments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Are assessments accepted by the HSE and the Department of Education etc.?

How long does it take for the report to be dispatched?

What is an educational and child psychologist?

If my child is assessed privately, will we still be able to avail of public services?

How can I make an appointment?

Do I need to submit documents before the assessment?

Should I tell my child that they are meeting a psychologist?

What will an educational psychology assessment with my child involve?

Where will the assessment occur?

Will the report have recommendations for home and school?

Is remote assessment possible?

How can I pay for services?

Is parking available at the practice?

Are SMC Psychology clinicians available for legal work?

Do both parents need to provide consent for the assessment?

Autism Assessments: Waiting List Paused
Educational Assessments: Waiting List Paused

Educational Psychology
Assessment

Multi-Disciplinary
Autism Diagnostic Assessment