Finding the right support for a child with complex needs in Ireland can feel like navigating a maze. The Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) is the HSE’s central service for children from birth to 18, bringing together occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, and more under one roof. This guide explains exactly what CDNTs do, how they differ from other services, and answers common questions about disability classifications and referrals.

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Number of CDNTs in Ireland: 91 ·
Age range supported: 0–18 years ·
Core team members: Occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, social worker ·
Referral pathway: Primary care (GP or public health nurse) or self-referral in some areas ·
Funding body: Health Service Executive (HSE)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of children currently served nationally – not published by HSE (HSE states wait times vary by region and demand)
  • Average wait times for first appointment – HSE states wait times vary by region and demand
  • Detailed eligibility thresholds for “complex needs” – assessed case-by-case (HSE states wait times vary by region and demand)
3Timeline signal
  • No fixed national timeline; waiting time depends on local demand (HSE – wait time warning)
4What’s next
  • After referral: triage, assessment, and creation of an Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) (HSE – IFSP process)

The table below summarises the key facts about CDNTs.

Key facts about CDNTs Details
Number of teams 91
Age range 0–18 years
Funding body Health Service Executive (HSE)
Core disciplines Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, social work
Referral source GP, public health nurse, or self-referral (regional)
Service model Progressive Disability Service (PDS) – CHO7 CDNT welcome booklet (PDS description)
Geographic area Based on child’s home address – Dublin & South East CDNT service booklet
Family planning tool Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) – HSE – CDNT working with your child

What does the children’s disability network team do?

Core services provided by CDNTs

  • Occupational therapy – help with daily living skills
  • Speech and language therapy – communication and feeding support
  • Physiotherapy – motor development and mobility
  • Psychology – cognitive and behavioural assessments
  • Social work – family support and care coordination
  • Clinical nurse specialists – health monitoring and medication (HSE – professional list)

The teams also have access to behaviour support specialists, dietitians, early years practitioners, family support workers, and therapy assistants. A child doesn’t need a diagnosis or an assessment of need report to access CDNT services – only a referral (HSE – referral policy).

How CDNTs work with families

CDNTs follow a family-centred practice model. After referral, the team creates an Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) with families, outlining goals and the type of support – universal, targeted, or individual (HSE – support tiers). The support level depends on the child’s needs as set out in the IFSP.

Eligibility criteria

  • Children up to age 18 who have complex needs requiring a lot of day-to-day support due to an illness, disability, or sensory impairment (HSE – definition)
  • No income or diagnosis criteria – referral and clinical triage determine eligibility
Bottom line: A CDNT is a free, multi-disciplinary HSE team for children with complex needs, accessed via GP or public health nurse. Families get a tailored IFSP and a named team working in their community.
The upshot

A child can receive CDNT support without a formal diagnosis – what matters is the complexity of their needs, not a label. This is a deliberate shift away from gatekeeping based on diagnostic categories.

The pattern: early referral avoids delays, and families should act as soon as concerns arise.

How does CDNT differ from CAMHS and primary care?

Three levels of HSE children’s services, one key difference: CAMHS is for mental health, primary care is the first stop for less complex issues, and CDNT is the specialist disability service.

CDNT vs CAMHS: focus and referral

  • CDNT – developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities; sensory impairments; complex needs
  • CAMHS – mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, ADHD medication management, etc.)
  • Overlap: children can be in both if they have co-occurring mental health and disability needs (HSE – CDNT vs CAMHS context)

CDNT vs primary care: level of specialisation

Primary care (GP, public health nurse, community physio) handles common developmental concerns. CDNT steps in when needs are complex and require coordinated input from multiple specialists (HSE – referral routing).

When to choose each service

A single therapy need (e.g., speech delay) often starts in primary care. When a child has needs across several domains – mobility, communication, behaviour – the CDNT is the appropriate next step.

One pattern, three service types:

Aspect CDNT CAMHS Primary Care
Focus Developmental and physical disabilities Mental health conditions General health and mild developmental concerns
Referral route GP, PHN, or self-referral GP or school GP appointment
Age range 0–18 0–18 All ages
Team composition Multi-disciplinary (OT, SLT, PT, psych, SW) Psychiatrists, nurses, therapists GP, PHN, community therapists
Cost Free Free GP visit fee may apply
The trade-off

CAMHS and CDNT are both HSE services but serve different populations. If a child has both a mental health condition and a disability, they may need both – but coordination between teams is not always seamless.

The implication: families may need to advocate for clear communication between teams.

What are the types of disabilities that CDNT supports?

Common disability categories in Ireland

The HSE lists the following disability categories supported by CDNTs: intellectual disability, physical disability, sensory disability, chromosomal disorders, neurological disorders, and neurodevelopmental disability (HSE – categories list).

How CDNTs group disabilities

CDNTs do not exclude based on type of disability; the focus is on complexity of needs. Children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or rare genetic conditions all fall within scope. The HSE classifies disabilities into broad categories: physical, sensory, intellectual, learning, and mental health – but CDNTs cover the first four (mental health is CAMHS territory).

Differences from international classifications

International frameworks like the WHO’s ICF list up to 7 types (hearing, vision, speech, physical, intellectual, learning, psychological). The CDNT’s approach is pragmatic: if a child has complex needs, they qualify, regardless of which box the condition fits.

Is autism an intellectual disability?

Difference between autism and intellectual disability

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by differences in social communication and repetitive behaviours. Intellectual disability involves significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour (IQ below 70, typically). The two are distinct conditions – autism is not an intellectual disability (HSE – CDNT disability categories).

Co-occurrence and comorbidity

About 30–40% of individuals with autism also have an intellectual disability. But the majority of autistic people do not. CDNTs provide tailored support for each condition separately and together.

How CDNT addresses both conditions

An autistic child without intellectual disability may receive social communication support from speech therapy and occupational therapy. A child with both conditions may also get psychology and behavioural support.

Bottom line: Autism and intellectual disability are separate diagnoses. CDNTs treat the child’s functional needs, not the label. Parents should know the difference to advocate for the right supports.

The pattern: distinguishing the two helps parents target the correct therapies.

Is ADHD classed as a disability in Ireland?

Legal recognition under Irish law

Yes, ADHD is recognised as a disability under the Disability Act 2005 and the Employment Equality Acts (HSE – context on disability law). This means children with ADHD are entitled to reasonable accommodations in school.

Eligibility for CDNT services

Children with ADHD can access CDNT if they have complex needs beyond what primary care can manage – for example, co-occurring learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, or motor delays. ADHD alone may not qualify unless there are additional disabilities or severe functional impairment (HSE – referral criteria).

Practical implications for families

Assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in children are carried out by psychologists or psychiatrists, not CDNTs directly. However, once diagnosed, CDNTs can provide behavioural support and therapy if the child’s needs are complex.

How do I refer my child to a CDNT?

Referral routes and forms

  • By GP or public health nurse – the most common route
  • Self-referral – available in some areas (check with local CDNT)
  • Referral form available on HSE websites (HSE – referral page)

What to expect after referral

Referrals are reviewed by healthcare professionals who decide whether a CDNT or another service is best based on the information provided (HSE – triage process). Families receive an acknowledgment and a first appointment – wait times vary by region.

Contacting your local CDNT

Use the HSE CDNT finder to locate the team assigned to your child’s home address. The team is based on geographic area (Dublin & South East CDNT booklet – geographic assignment).

The pattern: refer early, prepare medical history and school reports, and be aware that urgent cases are prioritised.

Why this matters

The referral is the gateway. Without it, no child can access CDNT – even if they clearly have complex needs. Delays in referral mean delays in support, so families should push for a referral as soon as a concern arises.

The implication: early action is critical to accessing timely support.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • CDNTs are HSE-run teams for children with complex disabilities under 18 (HSE – definition)
  • They include multiple therapy disciplines (OT, SLT, PT, psych, SW) (HSE – team composition)
  • Referral is primarily through primary care but self-referral exists regionally (HSE – referral options)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of children currently served nationally – not published by HSE
  • Average wait times for first appointment – vary by area, no national data
  • Detailed eligibility thresholds for “complex needs” – decided case-by-case

The pattern: uncertainties reflect regional variation, not lack of service design.

Quotes from service providers

Children’s disability network teams (CDNTs) support children up to age 18 who have complex needs.

HSE – official CDNT description

The CDNT works from a defined geographic area based on the child’s home address.

Dublin & South East CDNT service information booklet

The implication: families are assigned a team by location, which can mean variation in wait times and service availability across the country.

Additional sources

www2.hse.ie, enableireland.ie, cho7cdnt.ie, nda.ie, cho7cdnt.ie

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Frequently asked questions

Can I self-refer my child to a CDNT?

In some areas, self-referral is accepted. Check with your local CDNT or the HSE website for regional policy.

What is the difference between CDNT and early intervention services?

Early intervention services (0–5 years) are part of the CDNT under the PDS model – they are one and the same. Some older early intervention teams have been merged into CDNTs.

Does CDNT cover children with learning disabilities only?

No – CDNT supports children with physical, sensory, intellectual, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Learning disability alone may be handled by school support services.

How often will my child receive therapy through CDNT?

Frequency depends on the IFSP goals and team capacity. Some children get weekly sessions, others monthly. HSE notes this varies by region.

Are CDNT services free of charge?

Yes – all CDNT services are provided free by the HSE.

What should I bring to the first CDNT appointment?

Previous medical reports, school reports, any assessments, and a list of your child’s strengths and challenges. The team will ask about daily routines and goals.

Can a child leave CDNT and return later?

Yes – if a child’s needs change, they can be re-referred. However, they may face a new waiting period.

How are CDNTs different from school-based resource teams?

School-based teams (e.g., NEPS, special education teachers) focus on educational needs. CDNTs address clinical therapeutic needs at home and in the community.

For Irish families navigating the complex disability system, the choice is clear: if your child has needs that cut across multiple areas of daily life – movement, communication, learning, behaviour – push for a CDNT referral early. Waiting for a diagnosis can delay support that is available now. The CDNT is designed to meet children where they are, not after they fit a category.