Ireland · free guides

The supports that exist, explained plainly.

Assessment of Need, school supports, CDNTs, AIM, Domiciliary Care Allowance. Every guide says what the support is, how to apply, what to expect, and where the official information lives. No sign-in needed. Written by a parent who has filled in these forms.

Assessments

Assessment of Need (AON)

The HSE's Assessment of Need process for children under 18 with a suspected disability.

Read the guide

School

NCSE: school supports

The National Council for Special Education supports children with special educational needs in Irish schools.

Read the guide

Disability Services

Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNT)

CDNTs deliver therapy services for children with complex disability needs.

Read the guide

Preschool

AIM — Access and Inclusion Model

Supports for children with disabilities in ECCE preschool.

Read the guide

Financial

Domiciliary Care Allowance

A monthly payment for a child with a severe disability who needs ongoing care.

Read the guide

Advocacy

AsIAm

Ireland's national autism charity offering supports and advocacy.

Read the guide

ADHD Ireland

Information, parent courses and supports from ADHD Ireland.

Read the guide

Helpline

Parentline

A confidential helpline for parents in Ireland — any topic, any time.

Read the guide

Reading this while you wait?

Most of these processes involve a long wait. Our support groups are full of parents at every stage of it — you can read, post anonymously, or just quietly listen.

See the support groups Read the blog

Each guide links to the official HSE, NCSE, gov.ie or charity source so you can check current rules and forms yourself.