- 6 PM – 9 PM
- Hilton Dublin
As part of the European Semester Events series, this session will explore the importance of assessment across the lifespan, examining its role as both a statutory entitlement and a fundamental human right. Through discussion and shared perspectives, we will consider how equitable access to assessment supports inclusion, participation, and positive outcomes for individuals at every stage of life.
Panellists:
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Dr Marie Boilson is a consultant psychiatrist in adult ADHD . She set up the South Central Dublin team on the National Clinical Programme for adult ADHD on her return to Ireland in 2023. She is chair of the Autism SIG and co-chair of the ADHD SIG in the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland. She continues to work with the Scottish National Autism Implementation Team, a Scottish Government funded team of researchers tasked with supporting local implementation of evidence informed Neurodevelopmental Pathways across the lifespan within a neurodiversity paradigm, based at Queen Margaret University. She was lead author of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Occasional Paper “ADHD in adults-Good practice guidance CR235” and was awarded a fellowship in the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She was chair of the adult ADHD working group in the Scottish Faculty of Psychiatry until 2023. She lead on the National clinical ADHD pathway feasibility Study for Scotland published in 2021. She has several academic publications in the area of neurodevelopment conditions. She has worked as a general adult psychiatrist and later specialised in eating disorders. She was a medical manager in Fife Health and Social Care partnership with leadership responsibilities including mental health and children’s services. She has had a clinical interest in neurodevelopmental conditions since higher training in both adult and CAMHS psychiatry and has worked clinically in this area within her various roles throughout her career. |
| Adam Harris is the Founder and CEO of AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity. Adam founded AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as an Autistic person in Ireland. In addition to his leadership at AsIAm, Adam was appointed to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in July 2020 and served as an Executive Council Member for Autism Europe. He is a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awardee and has sat on and advised many government consultative and policy committees on disability rights and inclusion, which have helped shape national policies for a more inclusive society. A passionate public speaker and advocate, Adam regularly contributes to media and conferences in Ireland and overseas, engaging with government and the public to promote greater understanding and acceptance of Autistic individuals. His work has positioned AsIAm as a cornerstone of autism advocacy in Ireland, driven by his belief that Ireland must become a country in which every Autistic person is accepted “as they are” – equal, valued and respected. |  |
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Anne V. Kirby, PhD, MS, OT is an Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy at Trinity College Dublin in the School of Medicine as well as a researcher with expertise in autism. Her research has spanned topics including understanding autistic people’s sensory experiences, transitions to adulthood, and suicide risk and prevention. Dr Kirby serves as an Editor for the peer-reviewed journal Autism in Adulthood and is also on the Editorial Board for Autism. Dr Kirby is a principal investigator with the Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE), a longstanding autism community-based participatory research group. She is passionate about partnering with autistic people to conduct research that is important to the community and will support meaningful change. |
Moderator
| Dr Sarah Cassidy is President of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and a Chartered Psychologist specialising in neuro-affirming identification and tailored therapeutic supports for the neurodivergent community. Sarah is in the Division of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology with American Psychological Association (APA). She has served on the SCPA Panel providing educational psychological assessments in Irish schools for 25 years. She lectures, researches and publishes nationally and internationally in academic, community and professional settings. She has published two best-selling books. She has chaired numerous committees and working groups within PSI and other organisations. She has worked closely with AsIam and ADHD Ireland. Sarah is a peer-reviewed ACT trainer and fellow of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science. Finally, Sarah is a proud late-diagnosed AuDHD Dyspraxic woman, parent of 3 ND children, wife to an ND husband and advocate for her community. |  |