Ms Aoife O'Malley:

That is a huge question to answer. Without a diagnosis, children do not have access to special education, special autism units or special needs assistants in schools. All of those opportunities are missed without a diagnosis. What is missed from an intervention point of view varies greatly, depending on the child. What my colleagues in the Psychological Society of Ireland and Dedicated Children's Advocacy Warriors have mentioned is the significant impact on the mental health of the child and his or her family. Going without a service, interventions, support and a diagnosis has an impact on the mental health and stress levels of the family, which is immeasurable.