Autism Special Interest Group

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Chair: Dr Linda O’Rourke                                 Vice-Chair: Dr Brian Fitzgerald

Aims

1. To raise awareness among College members regarding the mental health needs of autistic people across their lifespan.
2. To promote effective engagement with the autism community to identify mental health needs of autistic people and promote better improved policy for the development of services.
3. To increase awareness of the mental health needs of autistic people and the impact of the disorder on individuals affected
4. To promote and advocate for improved autism services for children, adults and families in Ireland
5. To promote and advocate for the development of mental health services for autistic people in Ireland
6. To provide advice to relevant authorities on best practice, in line with international standards, on the development of services, including mental health services, for autistic people
7. To support training in assessment, diagnosis and provision of intervention/supports for clinicians working with autistic children, adolescents and adults
8. To act as a resource for clinicians and other professionals on autism

Click here to view the Terms of Reference

Dates of upcoming meetings in 2023

• Wednesday, 25th January
• Wednesday, 22nd March
• Wednesday, 14th June
• Wednesday, 27th September
• Wednesday, 29th November

Meetings take place at 10.00am online via zoom

College Faculty/SIG and committee meetings can garner 1 internal or external CPD credit per meeting up to a maximum of 10 credits per PCS year.

To contact the group

To contact the group or if you would like to join, please email Helen Murray, hmurray@irishpsychiatry.ie or call (01) 6618450.

Useful Resources

Advocacy/Charity Groups:

1. AsIAm https://asiam.ie/how-is-autism-diagnosed/
2. ASPIRE https://www.aspireireland.ie/cmsWP/whatisaspergersyndrome/assessment/
3. Autism Ireland https://autismireland.ie/children-with-asd/diagnosis-age-0-18/

NICE:

1. 2011, NICE – Autism Spectrum Disorder in under 19s, Recognition Referral and Diagnosis
2. 2012, NICE – Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults, Diagnosis and Management
3. 2013, NICE – Autism Spectrum Disorder in under 19s, Support and Management
4. 2014, NICE – Autism Quality Standard

SIGN:

2016, SIGN – Sign145 Guidelines

National Disability Authority:

1. 2015, NDA – Reasonable Accommodation for People with Autism
2. 2017, NDA – Models of good practice in supporting adults with autism

DOHC/HSE: 

1. 2018, DOHC – Estimating the Prevalence of ASD in the Irish Population
2. 2018, HSE – Review of Irish Health Services for Individuals with Autism

Legislation:

1. 2012, Bill proposing an Irish Autism Act
2. 2017, Bill for an Irish Autism Act

Online Sources of Information:

HSE:

1. Child Information https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/childrenandfamilyservices/child-and-adolescent-health/autism-services.html
2. Adult Information https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/a/asperger-syndrome/

Scottish Autism:

https://www.scottishautism.org/

National Autistic Society:

https://www.autism.org.uk/

AsIAm:

https://asiam.ie/about-autism/what-is-autism/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]