About Caroline Goldsmith, Ireland-based psychologist
Caroline Goldsmith has more than two decades experience working in private practice as a psychologist in Ireland.
For a full list of Caroline’s credentials and qualifications, please click here
Caroline Goldsmith is a specialist in Autism diagnosis and intervention, and has worked with parents to develop the Autism Assessment criteria.
Developing autism assessment and intervention protocols
From the beginning of her research into autism, Caroline Goldsmith has been focused on supporting parents.
When she started work in the field, things were very different.
She says: “As there were no set protocols, parents and families were left to try to make sense of how best to raise their children.
“I attended assessments at the time, many of which were rudimentary at best with a psychiatrist for around five minutes.
Following services like this, the parents would receive a letter with the diagnosis and nothing else. There was simply no real support or health service for children who badly needed it.”
Using expert evidence from peers around the world
Caroline explains: “This was pre-Internet, so we relied on newsletters and updates from similar movements of parents around the world.
“At this time, there were many great ideas coming out of the US in particular.
“In my practice, I realised very quickly that this was not a one size fits all situation. Every autistic child is different and needs a different approach.”
This research and understanding led to Caroline and parents like her pioneering the assessment protocols that are now standard practice for Autism Assessment.
Observation and experience helped develop services
In addition to her array of qualifications and experience in private assessments, Caroline was able to help many parents and private clients by assessing the behaviour of children in all kinds of different scenarios.
“We looked at how the children behaved at home, what they were like at play, in parks, in drop-in centres and other environments,” says Caroline.
“This observation became invaluable as a source of information and this is essentially what the ensuing Autism Diagnostics Observation Schedule (ADOS) is all about.”
Ms Goldsmith offers a comprehensive autism assessment
Caroline offers a comprehensive assessment tailored for children or adults.
She says: “The clinical assessment ensures that all of the components necessary for a comprehensive assessment are put together. This forms the basis of the diagnosis and of the intervention that is considered the most beneficial.”
Having developed these clinical assessments for over a decade as a consultant psychologist and in addition to her qualifications, Ms Goldsmith is well placed to help assess children and adults in this area.
What does the assessment cover?
The assessment offered by Ms Goldsmith includes:
- Cognitive and academic function using the Bayley Developmental Scales or Stanford Binet 5 (SB5)) for younger children. Adults and older children can also use SB5.
- Observation of function and presentation, giving an accurate picture of current symptoms using ADOS 2, which is the gold standard for observation assessment.
- Developmental history and differential diagnosis using the ADI-R Autism Diagnostic Interview (Revised Edition).
- Adaptive functioning assessment using VABS II (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales 2nd edition) to provide information for intervention techniques as well as an assessment of functionality in communication, daily living skills, motor skills, socialisation and maladaptive behaviours.
Professional memberships
Ms Goldsmith holds the following memberships:
- American Psychology Association (APA) – Div. 40 Neuropsychology.
- International Neuropsychological Society (INS) – no. 1513200
- International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP)
- International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy (IACP)
- European Association Psychology & Law (EAPL).
Advisory roles held by Caroline Goldsmith
In addition to her qualifications and professional memberships as a Consultant Psychologist based in Ireland, Ms Goldsmith also currently holds the following advisory and/or consultation roles:
- National Stalking and Harassment Offences Working Group Member, in conjunction with Derby University and the UK police force (appointed 2022).
- Techniques in Neurosurgery & Neurology Peer Reviewed Journal Editorial Board member (appointed 2017).
- Field Study ICD-11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders Revision of ICD Mental and Behavioural Disorders.
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MER/MSD) for the World Health Organisation (WHO) (appointed 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
- WHO Global Clinical Practice Advisory Panel member (appointed 2013).
- Founder of the first multidisciplinary Forensic Society in Ireland (FSSI 2012).