Why GDPR Matters to Autistic Families
When families seek mental health support or medical advice for their autistic children, they expect privacy, safety, and trust. But for many families in Ireland, that trust has been shaken. Caroline Goldsmith, Consulting Clinical Psychologist and founder of the Irish Resilience Clinic, is speaking out about serious GDPR violations that affect some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
These concerns aren’t theoretical—they’re real, recent, and deeply unsettling. Families who turned to the health system for help are now learning that their private information may have been gathered without consent and used in legal cases against them, by the very institutions meant to protect their rights.
What Is GDPR and Why Should Young People Care?
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It’s a law that protects your personal data—things like your medical records, school reports, and anything else that could identify you.
In Ireland, GDPR laws apply to everyone, but they’re especially important when it comes to sensitive information like mental health and autism diagnoses. These records should only be shared with your knowledge and permission.
If this trust is broken, the consequences can be serious—not just legally, but emotionally.
A Real Issue: Autism, Confidentiality, and Government Dossiers
In a recent case that caught national attention, the Department of Health was accused of compiling private information on autistic children who were part of legal actions against the state.
Without informing families, officials were reportedly collecting data from private doctors and psychologists, including confidential reports from long-dormant legal cases. This deeply violates the GDPR principles of consent, fairness, and transparency.
Caroline Goldsmith Reacts
“As a psychologist working with Autistic families all the time, I was shocked by what the RTÉ Investigates programme uncovered. Parents had no idea that their children’s medical and educational information was being used in this way.”
Caroline emphasizes that GDPR is not just paperwork—it’s a safeguard, especially in clinical psychology and mental health. Families come forward trusting professionals with deeply personal stories. Breaching that trust not only harms the family—it undermines the entire health and legal system.
How Can Families Trust the System?
Caroline raises a powerful question:
How can autistic families trust the legal process if their data is being used against them, without their knowledge, by the same agencies they’re challenging in court?
In many cases, families have to sue the Health Service Executive (HSE) just to access assessments or basic educational supports for their autistic children. Learning that their private records may be used in court—without permission—adds another layer of stress, fear, and confusion.
A Bigger Problem: The Ongoing Struggle for Autism Support
These GDPR violations are not the only issue. They reflect a broader, long-standing problem in how autism is supported in Ireland.
Key Facts
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Over 4,000 children in Ireland are still waiting for appropriate school placements
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Average waiting time for public autism assessments is 18 months or more
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Many families turn to private psychologists like Caroline Goldsmith because public services are too slow or unavailable
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Early intervention—crucial for development—is often delayed or missed entirely
“This is just one issue in a wider list of problems facing autistic families in Ireland,” says Caroline. “Families are forced to go private, paying out of pocket for what should be a basic right.”
The Cost of Going Private
Private psychology clinics like Caroline’s offer accurate, timely, and ethical autism assessments. These clinics are respected across Ireland and Europe. But they’re not meant to replace the public health system.
Families who go private do so out of necessity, not preference. They often spend thousands just to get a proper diagnosis and access school placements or supports.
“I’m proud of the work we do privately,” Caroline adds, “but families deserve better access through the state. No one should have to pay to be seen or heard.”
What Should Happen Next?
Irish officials, including national TDs, have called for a full public inquiry, similar to the Scally inquiry into cervical cancer screening failures. This proposed inquiry would examine the roles of:
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The Department of Health
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The Department of Education
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The HSE
Such an inquiry is essential to rebuild trust and ensure no child or family is ever treated this way again.
Final Thoughts: Privacy Is a Right, Not a Privilege
For autistic families in Ireland, the fight for assessments, services, and basic rights has gone on for too long. The recent GDPR breaches are not just administrative mistakes—they represent a fundamental failure of care.
Caroline Goldsmith and other trusted professionals are working hard to fill the gap, but a stronger, fairer, and more transparent public system is urgently needed.
If you or someone you know is navigating autism assessments or mental health care in Ireland, remember:
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You have the right to privacy and respect
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Your data cannot be shared without consent
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You deserve clear answers and honest support
About the Author – Caroline Goldsmith
Caroline Goldsmith is a Consulting Clinical Psychologist based in Waterford, Ireland, with over 20 years of experience in:
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Autism assessment
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Bereavement counselling
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Family and couples therapy
She holds professional qualifications from respected institutions including:
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The University of East London
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Trinity College Dublin
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CMIT Dublin
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The Open University
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Newman University
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The National Academy of Neuropsychology
Caroline has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and is known for her contributions to clinical assessments, resilience research, and autism diagnosis protocols.
She runs a private psychology practice offering compassionate, confidential support to families, children, and individuals.
Visit: carolinewardgoldsmith.com