The State Diagnostic and Counselling Centre
The State Diagnostic and Counselling Centre serves children and adolescents with a disability wherever they live in the country. The Diagnostic Centre operates according to Act 83/2003 which is intended to ensure for children and adolescents diagnosis and counselling for serious developmental disorders which may lead to disability. Its mission is thus to diagnose children´s developmental disorders and provide counselling and education about their treatment, so the effect of the disorder can be mitigated. The Diagnostic Centre also has a duty to educate parents and professional bodies about children´s disabilities and principal treatment methods. It has an important role in supporting disabled children and their families.
The Diagnostic Centre looks after children aged 0 to 18 years who are referred for closer examination after suspicion of a serious developmental disorder arises. The main children´s disorders which lead to referrals are autism, motor disorders and mental retardation. Referrals are mostly made by paediatricians, psychologists and other pre-school and primary school specialists. A referral includes the child´s medical and developmental history and original diagnosis, i.e. findings of the first examination of the child´s developmental state.
The Diagnostic Centre also deals with other projects, such as research, registration and education, and has a duty to safeguard knowledge in the field. It is involved with teaching and research institutions within Iceland and abroad.
Children diagnosed with a disability have the right to special assistance throughout their youth pursuant to laws about the affairs of handicapped. They enjoy the services of the Regional Offices for the Affairs of Handicapped or support for the disabled under the auspices of the municipality. Regional Offices also provide counselling and assistance for parents e.g. in applying to the State Social Security Institute for caregivers support due to increased expenditure related to the child´s disability.