About this service:

Assessment of Need (AON): a legal right to an assessment, under the Disability Act 2005, for children where a disability is suspected. It sets out the child’s needs and a service statement. Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs): teams of therapists (speech and language, occupational therapy, physio, psychology, social work) for children with complex needs. Children with lower-level needs are seen through HSE Primary Care therapy services instead.

Who can use it:

Children and young people where a disability, including autism, is suspected. HSE area covering North Dublin. Families are assigned to a CDNT by home address.

How to access the service:

Self-referral accepted: the parent applies directly for an AON using the form on hse.ie. Reports from the GP or public health nurse strengthen the application. Primary care services: referral via GP or public health nurse. Help the parent fill in the form and gather any existing reports.

Telephone and access details:

Through the hse.ie ‘Assessment of Need’ pages, or HSE Live 1800 700 700

Email contact details:

Through hse.ie

Website information:

hse.ie/assessment-of-need; hse.ie ‘children’s disability services’

Support for families of children with additional needs:

The main public route to assessment and therapy for children with complex needs. A child does not need an Assessment of Need to be referred to a CDNT. See the local CDNT listings for the team that covers each area.

Good to know:

Be honest about long waiting times. Help families use other supports while they wait: parent networks, school supports and AsIAm. A diagnosis is not needed for school supports.

Source directory last updated: July 2026. Contact the service to confirm current availability and details.