AutismCare Terms and Conditions

Updated September 2026

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the AutismCare website and the clinical services provided by AutismCare. By using our site or booking any service, you accept these Terms and Conditions. AutismCare is a clinical practice that provides autism assessments, therapy services, and related supports through qualified clinicians working under our clinical governance framework.

Definitions

AutismCare means DYG Caspian Ventures Ltd trading as AutismCare.

Client means any adult who uses our services or the parent or guardian booking services for a child.

Services means autism assessments, therapy sessions, clinical consultations, and related support provided by AutismCare.

Clinician means any staff member or contractor engaged by AutismCare to deliver clinical services.

Assessment means an autism assessment or related clinical evaluation.

Parent or Guardian means any person with legal authority to provide consent for a child.

Site means https://autismcare.ie

AI Transcription means automated speech to text transcription generated using software that may use artificial intelligence to create a written record of spoken audio from a session.

Transcription Provider means the third party service provider used by AutismCare to process audio data to generate transcripts on AutismCare's behalf.

Session Audio means audio captured during a clinical session for the purpose of generating a transcript.

Transcript means the written output created from Session Audio, including any time stamps or speaker labels where available.

About AutismCare

AutismCare is a clinical practice. All services are delivered by qualified professionals working under our clinical governance, policies, and procedures. AutismCare maintains responsibility for service quality, safeguarding, and compliance.

AutismCare does not provide emergency or crisis mental health services.

Use of the Site

You must use the site lawfully and must not interfere with the operation of the site, misuse any system or data, or infringe intellectual property rights.

AutismCare may suspend or block access where misuse is identified.

Intellectual Property

All content on the AutismCare site including text, images, graphics, and documents is owned by AutismCare. You may view or download content for personal use only. Any commercial use is prohibited unless approved in writing.

Our Clinical Services

AutismCare provides autism assessments, therapy sessions, and related clinical support for children and adults. We ensure that all clinicians hold appropriate qualifications and registrations. Clinical records are securely stored and managed by AutismCare in line with GDPR.

Clinical work follows evidence based practice and is informed by the information available at the time. Clients must provide full and accurate information when requested.

AI Transcription

AutismCare may offer AI Transcription for certain sessions, including pre assessments and assessment interviews, to support accurate note taking and timely clinical documentation.

AI Transcription is optional unless otherwise stated in writing for a specific service. If you do not consent, the clinician will take manual notes instead.

Where AI Transcription is used, AutismCare will ask for your consent in advance. For child services, consent must be provided by a parent or guardian with legal authority.

If you withdraw consent at any time, AutismCare will stop using AI Transcription for future sessions. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

AI Transcription is a support tool. It does not replace clinical judgement. Clinicians may correct, summarise, or exclude content when creating clinical records.

Transcripts may contain errors. You agree that AutismCare is not responsible for transcription inaccuracies that do not materially affect the clinical outcome. Where an inaccuracy is identified, AutismCare may amend the clinical record.

AutismCare may use a Transcription Provider as a data processor. Session Audio is processed only to generate a Transcript for AutismCare. AutismCare does not permit the Transcription Provider to use Session Audio or Transcripts to market to you.

AutismCare will store Transcripts within your clinical record where clinically relevant. Session Audio may be deleted after transcription unless AutismCare has a lawful reason to retain it, such as quality assurance, complaint handling, safeguarding, or legal obligations.

If AI Transcription fails due to technical issues, AutismCare will continue the session using manual notes. This does not entitle you to a refund.

Service Suspension and Ending of Services

AutismCare may pause, limit, or stop services at any time where it is necessary for safety, clinical quality, compliance, or the effective running of the service. Services may be suspended or ended in the situations listed below.

Consent or Parental Disputes

AutismCare may pause or end services when:

• There is a disagreement between parents or guardians about consent
• A parent withdraws consent
• AutismCare receives conflicting instructions
• A court order is unclear or unverified
• One parent challenges the right of the other to proceed

AutismCare is not responsible for resolving family disputes and may pause services until proof of legal authority is provided.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Information

AutismCare may pause or end services where required information is not provided. This includes:

• School reports
• Questionnaires
• Medical history
• Observation forms
• Information from other professionals

AutismCare may also pause or end services where information has been withheld, where information is inconsistent, or where it becomes clear that the assessment cannot be completed to an acceptable standard.

Behaviour or Conduct Concerns

AutismCare may stop services if:

• Staff or clinicians experience abusive, aggressive, or disrespectful behaviour
• A client or parent undermines the clinician during the assessment
• A client records sessions without consent. This does not prevent AutismCare from capturing Session Audio for AI Transcription where you have provided consent.
• Staff feel unsafe or unable to complete the assessment

Full charges apply in these cases. Ending services does not remove your right to make a complaint.

Safeguarding and Risk

AutismCare may pause or end services where:

• A safeguarding concern is identified
• A child or vulnerable person may be at risk
• A parent or client interferes with a safeguarding report
• A parent attempts to block mandatory reporting
• A child refuses or is distressed in a way that prevents ethical assessment

AutismCare follows all duties under the Children First Act and related guidance.

Pressuring for a Specific Outcome

AutismCare may end services where:

• A parent pressures a clinician to produce a desired diagnosis
• Attempts are made to influence the assessment outcome

Clinicians must remain fully independent during all assessments.

Where a client disagrees with a clinical finding, this will be referred for clinical review under our complaints process (see Feedback and Complaints below). AutismCare may end services where a client or parent persistently pressures a clinician to change a finding after that review.

Non Engagement or Repeated Missed Appointments

AutismCare may end services where:

• A client repeatedly cancels appointments
• A client does not attend booked sessions
• A parent or client fails to respond to reasonable requests
• Engagement is inconsistent and prevents progress

Fees may still apply under the cancellation rules.

Failure to Pay Fees

AutismCare may pause or end services where:

• Fees have not been paid
• Payment fails or is reversed
• A client refuses to pay for completed work

Reports will not be released until all fees are paid.

Conflict of Interest

AutismCare may pause or end services where a conflict of interest exists. This includes:

• Legal proceedings involving the child or family
• Intent to use the assessment in court without informing AutismCare
• Situations where the independence of the clinician may be compromised

Clinical or Ethical Grounds

AutismCare may stop services where:

• The assessment cannot be completed to required clinical standards
• The child or adult becomes distressed and continuation is not appropriate
• Further assessment is not clinically indicated
• The service requested falls outside our scope of practice

AutismCare will inform clients when this occurs and, where appropriate, may provide guidance on alternative services.

Service Withdrawal by AutismCare

AutismCare may withdraw or stop services entirely where required for operational, safety, or compliance reasons. AutismCare will provide notice where possible.

Appointments and Service Availability

Appointment dates depend on clinician availability. AutismCare may reschedule sessions due to illness, emergencies, or events outside our control. If a clinician becomes unavailable we may assign an alternative clinician. AutismCare is not responsible for delays caused by circumstances beyond our control.

Cancellations and Refunds

Clients may cancel a booking within 14 days if no part of the service has been delivered. To cancel, email info@autismcare.ie.

If any part of the service has begun within the 14 day period, clients must pay for the work already carried out. This includes interviews, questionnaires, clinical analysis, observations, or any session delivered. Once any part of the assessment has been completed, the service is considered delivered for refund purposes.

If a client chooses to stop or withdraw after any stage has been completed, no refund will be offered. This applies even if only one component of a multi stage assessment has been carried out.

A full refund is only available when a cancellation is made before any work has been completed.

Cancellations made within 12 hours of an appointment are not refundable. Late arrival may shorten the session and the full fee will still apply.

Digital products including guides and toolkits are non refundable once accessed. Refunds where applicable are issued to the original payment method within five to seven business days.

Late Arrival Policy

Clients are expected to attend appointments on time.

If a client arrives late, the session may be shortened to ensure the clinician can remain on schedule. The full fee will still apply.

If a client arrives more than 20 minutes late for an appointment, we may not be able to proceed with the session and the appointment may be cancelled.

If a client arrives significantly late, the appointment may need to be rescheduled. In these cases, the session may be treated as a late cancellation and may not be refundable.

Parent and Guardian Consent

Parents and guardians must provide informed consent before any child assessment begins. The consenting parent or guardian confirms that they hold legal authority, that all information provided is accurate, and that they accept responsibility for any dispute with the other parent or guardian.

AutismCare may request additional documents to confirm legal authority or to verify information. This may include proof of guardianship, birth certificates, court orders, or other relevant records. Services may be paused until satisfactory documentation is provided.

Where only one parent or guardian signs the consent form, the signing individual accepts full responsibility for any legal or custodial issue that arises. AutismCare is not responsible for mediating family conflicts and may pause or decline the assessment if a consent dispute emerges.

Safeguarding and Mandatory Reporting

AutismCare and its clinicians follow all Irish safeguarding laws including the Children First Act. When a safeguarding concern is identified, clinicians must make a report to Tusla or the Gardaí if required. Reports may be made without parental consent. AutismCare accepts no liability for any consequences of mandatory reporting.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

AutismCare (DYG Caspian Ventures Ltd) is the Data Controller for all personal data collected in connection with our services.

We process personal data on the following legal bases:

1. Contract performance (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR): to deliver the services you have booked.
2. Health care provision (Article 9(2)(h) GDPR): to carry out clinical assessment and treatment under the responsibility of qualified clinicians.
3. Legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c) GDPR): to comply with Irish law, including safeguarding duties under the Children First Act.

We collect only the personal data necessary to deliver services, manage bookings, process payments and communicate with clients. Clinical records are stored securely in line with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
We retain clinical records in accordance with Irish health guidance. For adult clients, this is generally a minimum of eight years. For children, records are typically retained until the individual reaches age 25. A full retention schedule is available on request.

We may share your data where:

1. You have given written consent.
2. We are required to do so by law.
3. We have a safeguarding or mandatory reporting duty under the Children First Act.

We use trusted third-party service providers as data processors, including clinical record systems, payment processors, and AI transcription services. All processors are engaged under a written Data Processing Agreement as required by Article 28 GDPR. Where data is transferred outside the European Economic Area, we rely on appropriate transfer safeguards, including standard contractual clauses. For full details of AI Transcription, see the AI Transcription section above.
Your rights under GDPR include the right to access, correct or request erasure of your personal data, restrict or object to processing, and data portability. You also have the right to withdraw consent at any time where consent is the legal basis for processing.

To exercise your rights, contact info@autismcare.ie. Requests are handled by our Data Protection Officer. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission at dataprotection.ie.

For full details on how we handle your data, see our Privacy Policy.

Accuracy of Information

Clients are responsible for providing complete and accurate information including questionnaires, forms, medical history, and school reports. AutismCare is not responsible for delays or outcomes arising from missing, conflicting, or inaccurate information. AutismCare may pause or cancel services where required information is not provided or has been deemed inaccurate.

Diagnostic Outcomes

All autism assessments rely on professional judgement and best practice guidelines. Diagnostic conclusions may differ among clinicians. Clients acknowledge that AutismCare cannot guarantee a specific outcome and cannot guarantee acceptance of assessments by external bodies such as schools, the HSE, CAMHS, or the courts.

AutismCare is not responsible for family conflicts or decisions made by third parties based on diagnostic outcomes. Conclusions reflect the information available at the time and may change if new information emerges.

Limitation of Liability

AutismCare is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of income, costs related to education or services, outcomes of court proceedings, or decisions made by external bodies. AutismCare is not responsible for outcomes based on incomplete or incorrect information provided by clients.

AutismCare is not liable for losses arising solely from technical failures or transcription errors within AI Transcription, provided reasonable steps were taken to review and finalise clinical documentation.

The total liability of AutismCare shall not exceed the amount paid for the service in question. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes liability that cannot be excluded under Irish law.

Client Conduct

Clients must act respectfully toward clinicians and staff. Abusive or threatening behaviour may result in services being ended and full charges applied. Ending services does not remove your right to make a complaint.

Feedback and Complaints

AutismCare welcomes feedback, including complaints, and uses it to improve our services. Making a complaint will never affect your access to our services or the quality of care you receive. This applies equally where you complain on behalf of someone else.

Who can complain

• A current or former client
• A parent, guardian or carer of a client
• A person acting on behalf of a client with that client's written consent
• A person formally appointed under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, acting within the scope of their authority

How to raise a complaint

You can raise a concern verbally, in writing or by email. You do not need to put your complaint in writing for it to be taken seriously. We will help you set out your complaint if you need it, and we offer adjustments to communication format, pace and timing. You may bring a support person to any meeting.

Please tell us who was involved, what happened and when, and the outcome you are seeking.

Complaints should normally be made within 12 months of the event, or within 12 months of you becoming aware of it. We may extend this where there are special circumstances.

Our complaints process

1. Informal resolution: raise your concern with the clinician, our Operations Team or our Clinical Director. We aim to resolve it within 24 to 48 hours. You do not have to use this stage and may go straight to a formal complaint.
2. Formal complaint: contact our Complaints Officer. We will acknowledge your complaint in writing within 5 working days and send a full written response within 30 working days of acknowledgement. If we need longer, we will tell you why before the 30 working days expire and update you at least every 20 working days.
3. Internal review: if you are not satisfied with our response, you may request a review in writing to our Clinical Director within 20 working days. A senior person not previously involved will review your complaint and respond within 20 working days.
4. External review: if you remain dissatisfied, you may contact an independent body. Details are included in every final response.

Complaints Officer

Ciara Kelly, Operations Lead
Email: clinic@autismcare.ie
Phone: +353 1 691 7844
AutismCare, Unit 7 Block D, Nutgrove Office Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin, D14 AN81

If your complaint concerns the Complaints Officer, or you would prefer someone else to handle it, contact our Clinical Director at the same address.

External review options

• Office of the Ombudsman (ombudsman.ie): for services delivered under an agreement with the HSE. The Ombudsman does not examine privately funded services.
• Ombudsman for Children's Office (oco.ie): for complaints by or on behalf of a child about services delivered on behalf of the State.
• Professional regulators such as CORU: a complaint about an individual practitioner's conduct or competence may be made to their regulator at any time, without first using our process.
• Data Protection Commission (dataprotection.ie): for complaints about how your personal data has been handled.

Matters handled separately

• Safeguarding concerns are reported immediately under our Child Safeguarding Statement and are never delayed by the complaints process.
• Assessment of Need or Service Statement complaints under the Disability Act 2005 follow the statutory HSE process. We will direct you to the relevant HSE complaints officer.
• Disagreement with a diagnosis or clinical opinion is referred to our Clinical Director for clinical review, and a statement of your position is added to your record. A complaint about how an assessment was carried out is handled under our complaints process.
• Data access requests are handled by our Data Protection Officer within one calendar month.
• Matters subject to legal proceedings are paused under our complaints process, and we will explain why in writing.

Complaint records are held separately from your clinical record, stored securely and retained for 8 years from final resolution.

Website Content

Content on the AutismCare site is provided for general information. It does not replace clinical advice which is given only during scheduled sessions by qualified clinicians.

Changes to These Terms

AutismCare may update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updates will be posted on our site and may also be sent by email.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Ireland. Any dispute will be resolved through the Irish courts. You may use our complaints process before taking any other action. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Contact Information

For general questions please contact us using the details below. To make a complaint, please see the Feedback and Complaints section above.

AutismCare
+353 1 691 7844
info@autismcare.ie