Gheel Autism Services was founded in Dublin city in 1971 by a small group of parents of autistic people. The name Gheel originates from the region of Geel in Belgium where since the 7th century people with disabilities were supported to live in the community and not in institutions. The Irish Saint Dympna in the 7th century fled to Geel from Ireland and is credited with initiating this type of community living support model. The first service managed by Gheel was on the grounds of a building named St Dympna’s.

Gheel champions and supports autistic people in the greater Dublin and North Kildare region. We provide day, residential, supported living and outreach services, with the goal of maximising independence and enhancing quality of life. All of our programmes are tailored to recognise the neurodiversity model, and co-operation with autistic people is a must! Staff receive regular autism-specific person centered training and they are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to enable each individual they support to have positive and meaningful life experiences.

Our Committment to Quality

Our commitment as an autism support provider has always been to ensure best practice, best quality and best outcomes in everything we do. 

We aim to promote the empowerment, understanding and inclusion of people and enhance quality of life - not just through direct intervention but also through increasing capacity for advocacy and self-direction at the individual and community level.

Changes to our organisation systems, backed by national policy are enabling people, not professionals to have power and control over what support they receive and how it is delivered. 

Our quality is measured in consultation with people who use the service - always improving and engaging to ensure that continuous knowledge growth and improvement is happening.