The Solas Centre was set up as a result of a conversation between 4 people in 2003 who identified the distinct lack of a cohesive provision of diagnostic services in Ireland. Cormac Rennick, Marc De Salvo, Servass Dobedier as founder members of IAA and parents of children with autism, and Allan Willis, Educational Psychologist, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for their project. Their climb was symbolic of the obstacles people with autism and their families have to climb every day. With additional fundraising by St Andrews GAA Club in County Carlow in 2006 Irish Autism Action were able to open the Solas Centre – Ireland’s first Assessment and Diagnostic Centre – in April 2007, without a cent of government funding.
Our Purpose
It has been proven worldwide that early, accurate diagnosis coupled with early, intensive intervention increases the child’s opportunity for positive development and success. Currently it can take 18 months or longer to receive a full diagnosis and longer to get an assessment of educational and medical needs. This represents valuable time lost for the child, which can never be regained. The Solas Centre aims to streamline this entire process so that it takes no longer than 3 months and immediate action can be taken to help with the child’s development. There is also a population of older children and adults in Ireland who have either never received a diagnosis or have been diagnosed inappropriately and we also provide a service to these people and their families. The Solas Centre also provide an Information Officer, Support Groups and Counselling Service for people with autism and their families. Contact the centre direct for further information on the details below.
