Dr Saoirse Mac Cárthaigh
B.Sc., M.Sc., Psy.D., C.Psychol., Ps.S.I.
Helping Your Child To Thrive
Chartered Educational & Child Psychologist
Multi-Disciplinary
Autism Diagnostic Assessment
€2500 for full diagnostic assessment*
*€2400 if scheduled before Sep. 14th
€2100 without learning/developmental assessment*
*€1950 if scheduled before Sep. 14th
This assessment can identify autism, learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia), and developmental delays. The assessment is multi-disciplinary, involving a psychologist and a speech and language therapist.
ABOUT
Dublin Therapy Room
Dublin Therapy Room
Dublin Therapy Room
Dublin Therapy Room
Hi, I’m Dr. Saoirse Mac Cárthaigh, a Chartered Educational and Child Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland (M12071C). I specialise in educational psychology assessments and autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents.
My training has given me the skills to help my clients to thrive. In 2018, I received the Best All-Round Student Award for my Master's in Psychology and Learning Disability at the University of Portsmouth. In 2021, I was awarded the Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology from Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.
For 10+ years, I have supported young people in schools, universities and psychological services. My goal is to support lifelong change for my clients.
My research skills allow me to apply only the most evidence-based therapies to support the well-being of my clients. I received the Karl Nunkoosing Prize for Outstanding Research and have published widely in peer-reviewed journals. For a list of publications, click here.
Autism advocacy is a cause which is close to my heart. I have been involved in advocacy work for AsIAm, Ireland's national autism charity. Learn more here.
Get in touch to see how high-quality psychological services can help your child thrive.
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Which assessment should I choose?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 your child needs support to find a meaningful career path, you should choose the career interest 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 €160 will be deducted from the total fee for the assessment.
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How long is the waiting list?Currently, the waiting time to receive an assessment is approximately seven weeks. For educational psychology assessments, the report is usually dispatched six days after the assessment.
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What are the fees?Multi-Disciplinary Autism Diagnostic Assessment: €2500 (€2400 if scheduled before Sep. 14th) . Multi-Disciplinary Autism Diagnostic Assessment without Cognitive/Learning/Developmental Assessment : €2100 (€1950 if scheduled before Sep. 14th). Educational Psychology Assessment: €1000 (€950 if scheduled before Sep. 14th). Cognitive Assessment: €800 (€750 if scheduled before Sep. 14th). Academic Assessment: €600 Career Interest Assessment: €650 Consultation: €160. 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.
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Do you offer assessments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?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.
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Are assessments accepted by the HSE and the Department of Education etc.?Yes. As a chartered educational psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland, reports are accepted by all government agencies (chartered membership number: M12071C). Click here to verify chartered membership with the Psychological Society of Ireland.
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How long does it take for the report to be dispatched?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).
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What is an educational and child psychologist?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.
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If my child is assessed privately, will we still be able to avail of public services?Yes.
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How can I make an appointment?Email us on info@smcpsychology.ie or get in touch through this contact form. Early booking is advised due to high demand.
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Do I need to submit documents before the assessment?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).
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Should I tell my child that they are meeting a psychologist?This is dependent on many factors, including your child's age. Some children feel more comfortable knowing what to expect. Other children may feel nervous if they are told in advance. If a class observation is needed, it is better if your child is not expecting this. Observations are conducted discreetly to ensure that neither your child nor their classmates know who is being observed.
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What will an educational psychology assessment with my child involve?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.
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Where will the assessment occur?The assessment is usually conducted at a clinic in Fairview, Dublin 3. One parent or guardian must remain in the assessment room for the duration of the assessment.
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Will the report have recommendations for home and school?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.
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Is remote assessment possible?The interview and feedback components of the assessment can be conducted remotely. Remote assessment with the child is not possible.
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Are educational psychology assessments tax deductible?Yes, if conducted by a qualified educational psychologist, educational psychology assessments are tax deductible. For more information, visit Revenue.ie.
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How can I pay for services?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.
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Is parking available at the practice?Yes, there is free onsite parking at the practice.
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Are SMC Psychology clinicians available for legal work?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.