Who We Are

Members

Our members are the heart and soul of Dóchas and they are comprised of the parents and families of those with autism, the professionals from wide variety of backgrounds and our volunteers.

If you would like to become a member of Dóchas, please fill in our membership form, below.

Or you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Dóchas office at info@dochasautism.ie

For the past year Dóchas has provided the children of St. Michael's Infant School with an invaluable service. Located at our doorstep, Dóchas has allowed the children to play in a relaxed but structured environment.

Deirdre and her colleagues are always welcoming and are extremely accommodating should circumstances or timetabling change within the week or indeed should we need help with a piece of equipment.

Friday has now officially become 'Dóchas Day' among the children of the Early Intervention Class in St. Michael's. Thanks wholeheartedly for the wonderfully friendly welcome we receive every Friday.

— Mary O’Regan, St Michael’s Infant School

I asked Sean what Dóchas means to him. He said it is the only place he can go where he can be his real self. He has to pretend to be someone else wherever he goes. 

For us as a family Dóchas has been a lifeline. We were in a low place & from the first time I contacted the office we were welcomed & reassured in ways that nowhere else had. Dóchas has brought joy back into my ASD teenager's life & by default all our lives. We revolve our lives around his club time. We are forever grateful for everything you do. 

— Richard, Martha, Rachael & Sean, Family

Attending Dóchas and using their facilities was a beneficial and enriching experience for our students. Using the sensory rooms really aided our students in terms of their sensory regulation and they were always so happy and content on our weekly trips to Dóchas. We saw over several weeks, the confidence of some of our students increase and I believe their experiences in Dóchas were formative in cultivating this new-found confidence.

— Rory Kiff, Mid West School for the Deaf

Dóchas has been a safe haven for us for years, it’s a place where Cillian can be himself with no judgement from anyone, the Saturday morning club is the only place we can bring Cillian and not worry about him because the staff are amazing with him. Dóchas is a lifeline for families like ourselves.

— Karen Ryan, Parent

Get in Touch. Get Involved.

Dóchas Midwest Autism Support was established by parents in 1997 in response to the need for an organisation to represent the needs of people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Mid-West region. The charity supports children, young adults and their families.

14 Parnell Street, Limerick