Autism in Children
A structured, consultant-led diagnostic assessment for children with traits or characteristics associated with autism, providing a comprehensive evaluation to support an accurate diagnosis and personalised recommendations.
Our Approach
Understanding Childhood Autism and Helping Your Child Access the Right Support
Autism in children can affect communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation, behaviour, routines and social development in ways that are not always easy to understand at first. Some children may find social interaction difficult, become overwhelmed by sensory environments, struggle with change, or rely strongly on routines to feel settled.
For families, these patterns can sometimes feel confusing, especially when difficulties appear differently at home, in school, or in social settings. At Mindful Space, our child autism assessment is designed to provide a clear diagnosis, practical guidance and personalised support planning, helping parents better understand their child’s needs and access the right next steps.
Social communication differences
Sensory sensitivities
Repetition
Emotional regulation
relationship difficulties
Adaptability
Executive Functioning Difficulties
about
What Does Autism Look Like in Children?
Autism in children can present in many different ways. Some children may have noticeable differences in communication, eye contact, social cues, friendships or play. Others may speak clearly and do well academically, but still find the unspoken rules of social interaction, sensory environments, emotional regulation or unexpected change difficult to manage.
Childhood autism may affect behaviour, school participation, eating habits, sleep, transitions, learning and family life. A child may seem settled in one environment but overwhelmed in another, which can make it harder for parents, teachers and professionals to understand the full picture without a structured clinical assessment.
Signs Your Child May Need an Autism Assessment
Autism signs in children are often noticed through patterns in communication, social development, sensory responses, behaviour, or school functioning. A structured autism assessment helps identify whether these differences may be linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder and what support may be most appropriate.
Some of the signs that may indicate an autism assessment could be helpful include:
- Difficulty understanding social cues, facial expressions or body language
- Challenges with making or maintaining friendships
- Reduced eye contact or differences in non-verbal communication
- Strong preference for routines, predictability or repeated activities
- Distress around unexpected change or transitions
- Sensory sensitivities involving sound, touch, clothing, food, lights or busy environments
- Emotional outbursts, shutdowns or meltdowns when overwhelmed
- Highly focused interests or repetitive behaviours
School-related challenges, anxiety or social isolation - Difficulties with flexibility, play, communication or daily routines
These signs do not always mean a child is autistic, but they can suggest that a formal clinical assessment may be useful. Assessment aims to understand the full picture, including strengths, challenges, developmental history, school feedback and any overlapping needs.
Diagnosis
Why Autism Is Sometimes Missed in Children
Autism is sometimes missed in children when symptoms are subtle, masked, or mistaken for shyness, anxiety, behaviour concerns, sensory sensitivity or developmental variation. Some children learn to copy social behaviours, hold themselves together at school, or suppress distress until they return home, which can make their difficulties less visible in certain settings.
Autism can also overlap with ADHD, anxiety, learning difficulties, sleep concerns and emotional regulation challenges. This can make diagnosis more complex, especially when attention, behaviour or school performance becomes the first concern. For many families, assessment provides clarity around patterns that have felt difficult to explain and helps guide support at home, in school and across daily life.
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Child Autism Assessment Process
At Mindful Space, we follow a structured three-step pathway for child autism assessment in Ireland, designed to provide clarity for both children and parents without unnecessary delays. Our clinician-led process focuses on understanding how communication, sensory processing, social development, emotional regulation and routines affect your child’s daily life.
Step 1
Initial Screening Consultation
The first appointment is a 30–45 minute screening consultation where the clinician will speak with parents or guardians about current concerns, developmental history, school functioning, sensory sensitivities, communication patterns and emotional or behavioural challenges.
You will also be guided through the relevant forms and questionnaires, which may include developmental history, school feedback, autism screening questionnaires, sensory profile information and functional impact screening. If autism is clearly ruled out at this stage, there is no obligation to continue with the full assessment pathway.
Step 2
Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
The full assessment involves a detailed clinical review of social communication, interaction patterns, sensory processing, routines, restricted interests, emotional regulation, behaviour and developmental history. This helps build a clear picture of how your child experiences the world and how these patterns may be affecting daily functioning.
Where clinically appropriate, structured autism assessment tools and school feedback may be used alongside completed questionnaires and parent observations. This supports a thorough evaluation using recognised diagnostic standards and helps determine whether DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder are met.
Step 3
Diagnostic Report and Support Planning
Following the assessment, you will receive a detailed written report outlining whether diagnostic criteria for autism have been met, alongside a clear review of the assessment findings and personalised recommendations for support.
The feedback session helps parents understand what the findings mean for home, school and daily life. Recommendations may include school support, sensory strategies, parent guidance, therapy planning or further referrals where appropriate.
Support
Treatment and Support for Childhood Autism
Support for childhood autism is usually focused on helping the child function more comfortably at home, in school and in everyday environments. This may involve understanding sensory triggers, improving routines, supporting communication, helping with emotional regulation and ensuring the right school supports are in place.
Where clinically appropriate, support may include:
- Psychoeducation for parents and children to better understand autism
- Sensory regulation strategies for overwhelm, meltdowns or shutdowns
- Parent guidance to support routines, transitions and daily challenges
- School recommendations and educational support planning
- Emotional regulation support for distress, frustration or anxiety
- Autism support therapy focused on coping strategies and daily functioning
- Communication and social understanding support
- Referral recommendations for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or psychology, where appropriate
- Support for co-existing ADHD, anxiety, sleep or behavioural concerns
We also recognise that autism rarely exists in isolation. Some children may also experience ADHD, anxiety, sleep difficulties, learning differences or emotional wellbeing concerns, so support should be built around the child’s full needs rather than one diagnosis alone.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
How Much Does a Child Autism Assessment Cost?
Total Fee: €1,200
Child autism assessment at Mindful Space starts from €90 for the initial screening consultation, with no need to pay the full assessment pathway fee at the time of booking. The full child autism assessment pathway is €1,200, with the remaining balance payable after screening if you decide to proceed, and flexible Klarna payment options may be available where appropriate.
Step 1
Initial Screening Consultation
30–45 minutes
€90
Payable at booking. This is all you need to get started.
- Listen to your concerns & goals
- Explore social & emotional difficulties
- Determine if full assessment is appropriate
- Explain the full assessment process
- Guide you through screening questionnaires
Step 2 + 3
Full Assessment Pathway
If you decide to proceed after screening
€1,110
Remaining balance. This covers everything you need:
- Comprehensive Autism assessment
- Detailed diagnostic report
- Treatment planning
- Support letters where indicated
- Prescription discussion if clinically appropriate
If Autism is clearly ruled out at Step 1, there is no obligation to proceed and you will not be charged for Steps 2 or 3.
The €1,110 remaining balance can be paid via Klarna — spread the cost without paying upfront.
€370
per month × 3 via Klarna
Why Mindful Space
Why Choose Mindful Space for Your Child’s Autism Assessment?
Choosing the right provider for your child’s autism assessment is about more than receiving a diagnosis. Families need clear communication, supportive clinicians and practical recommendations that make sense in real life, including home routines, school supports, sensory needs and emotional wellbeing.
Some of the reasons families choose Mindful Space include:
Specialist ADHD & Autism Focus
Dedicated assessments tailored to neurodevelopmental conditions across all age groups.
Structured, Consultant-led Care
Every assessment follows a clear process guided by experienced clinicians.
Fully Online Across Ireland
Access professional mental health assessments securely from anywhere in Ireland.
Lived Experience
Our founder lives with ADHD — she truly understands the challenges you face.
Clear Reports
Comprehensive reports designed to support schools, workplaces, GPs, and ongoing care.
Fast Turnaround
Receive timely appointments, outcomes, and reports without years-long waiting lists.
Medication Options
Medication options explored as part of the assessment, and prescriptions provided where clinically indicated—without requiring a separate appointment fee.
Our Experts
Meet Our Team
Our consultant-led team brings years of specialist experience in ADHD & Autism assessment and treatment.
Dr Javeria Gauhar
Founder & Clinical Lead
Psychiatry Registrar, MRCPsych-A (UK)
Dr Javeria Gauhar is the Founder and Clinical Director of Mindful Space. As a Psychiatry Registrar registered with the Irish Medical Council (IMC: 524927), she brings extensive experience across emergency psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, CAMHS, addiction psychiatry and ADHD-focused assessment and support.
Dr Jasimah Jamir
Clinical Director & Consultant Psychiatrist
MB BCh BAO, MRCPsych, CPsychI, CSCST
Consultant Psychiatrist with over 14 years’ experience in General Adult and Liaison Psychiatry.
Provides clinical leadership and consultant oversight at Mindful Space, supporting high standards in diagnostic assessment, prescribing safety, treatment planning, and multidisciplinary care.
Dr Basil Al-Numan
Psychiatry Registrar
Certificate in Youth Psychiatry, Orygen Australia
Psychiatry Registrar with experience across adult, youth, liaison, rehabilitation, and old age psychiatry in Ireland.
Completed Basic Specialist Training with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, with a clinical focus on ADHD assessments, developmental psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and youth mental health.”
Dr Ciarán Coyle
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
D.Psych.Sc., C.Psychol., Ps.S.I.
Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience across mental health, neurodevelopmental, and forensic services.
Specialises in ADHD, Autism, cognitive assessment, medico-legal work, and complex psychological presentations, providing evidence-based and compassionate care for children, adolescents, and adults.”
Professional Registrations & Accreditations
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of autism in children?
Signs of autism in children may include differences with social communication, eye contact, sensory processing, routines, play, friendships, emotional regulation or response to change. Some children may also experience meltdowns, shutdowns, intense interests or school-related difficulties.
How do I know if my child needs an autism assessment?
An autism assessment may be helpful if your child has ongoing difficulties with communication, social interaction, sensory sensitivity, routines, emotional regulation or school functioning. A screening consultation can help determine whether a full child autism assessment is appropriate.
Can autism be missed in children?
Yes, autism can be missed in children, especially when symptoms are subtle, masked, or mistaken for anxiety, shyness, behaviour concerns or developmental differences. Some children manage in school but become overwhelmed at home, which can delay recognition.
Can Autism and ADHD be assessed together in children?
Yes, Autism and ADHD can overlap, and some children may show traits of both conditions. A clinical assessment can help identify whether Autism, ADHD, or both may be contributing to your child’s needs.
Does my child need an autism diagnosis for school support?
A formal autism diagnosis may help support school accommodations, learning adjustments and clearer communication between parents, clinicians and educators. Support needs vary between children, so recommendations should be based on your child’s individual profile.
What happens if my child is not diagnosed with autism?
If autism is not identified, the assessment can still help explore what may be contributing to your child’s difficulties. This may include ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, sensory processing concerns, emotional wellbeing challenges or other developmental factors.
Book Your Child’s Autism Assessment
If your child has been struggling with social communication, sensory overwhelm, routines, emotional regulation, school challenges or behaviour that feels difficult to fully explain, a formal autism assessment may help provide the clarity your family needs. Mindful Space offers a fully online child autism assessment in Ireland with clinician-led support, flexible booking and practical next steps designed around real family life.