u/Melded1

"The Protocol in its current form is contrary to the PSI protocol “Professional Practice Guidelines for the Assessment, Formulation, and Diagnosis of Autism in Children and Adolescents” (2022) and other international standards (e.g., Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)). We have reservations about the proposed changes with regard to the accuracy of outcome. Response from the SIG in Autism to the HSE Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol January 2025 Page 2 of 3 .......................... We maintain that tier 1 assessments fall short of good professional practice for our discipline. Also, with the current tiered approach, clinicians can choose based on their own understanding of their own competencies to conduct tier 1 assessments. There is no way of regulating practice, as the decision to conduct a tier 1 assessment will be determined based on clinical judgement and personal opinion. This legitimises bad practice in both the private and public sector.Over reliance on screening measures to determine suitability for an autism assessment will result in children and young people being incorrectly denied assessment.......................... Overall, the current Protocol exponentially increases the risk of poor assessments. This has long-lasting impacts on family functioning and well being, service provision, and identity formation. We would urge the working group to reconsider the Protocol with reference to the autistic lived experience and professional practice guidance developed by experts in the area. We would also urge that the HSE facilitates time for more meaningful consultation and collaboration to address issues with current models of service provision"

This is about gatekeeping access, nothing more. It's performative and only designed to let through the most easily recognisable autistic people.