SNA Group & Spectrum Training

NEWS!!! After a long hiatus SNA Group and Spectrum Training are planning three events in November. We are provisionally starting with Drumcondra, Waterford and Tallaght. We have not finalised the theme yet but our gut instinct is there is some work to be done to understand, remediate and compensate for losses our children have experienced over the past years. As always we are open to suggestions and perhaps the SNA Group hive mind, might give us a heads up regarding where you need more training or guidance to supports in your work with autistic children or adults. Please indicate if it’s preschool, primary, secondary or adult services you are working in.

This is the dream of many people with learning disabilities and autism

We are delighted to launch our report 'The Pathway to Inclusive Education' today.

In late 2022 we hosted a seminar 'The Pathway to Inclusive Education.' This in-person event brought together people with intellectual disabilities, disabled people, Disabled Persons Organisations, family members, people working within the education sector, policy makers and politicians.

You can read the full report from the seminar on our website here: https://inclusionireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Pathway-to-Inclusive-Education-2023.pdf

You will also find an accessible video version of the report here: https://youtu.be/zcGmq_AzWck

Inclusion Ireland will continue to campaign for a fully inclusive model of education in line with the UNCRPD and UNCRC.

If we are to realise the vision around all children going to school together, with whatever supports and accommodations they may need, then this will require a movement for change, one we are invested in fully at Inclusion Ireland.

If you are dyslexic, dyspraxic or have sensory processing disorder then the chance to hear this lady is a must. She is extraordinary and her book I have no doubt will be one of the most useful books you will read. when I heard her speak I learned so much

Many years ago this lady addressed our annual conference and it was one of the most influential talks we ever hosted. She told her story and took us on a journey communicated through words, images and even a song. Astonishing creativity and we all came away with a far greater insight into dyslexia, dyspraxia and the way in which so many of us make meaning from the information filtering through our brains from all our senses. this event is not to be missed

I have used this exercise with adults as well and it worked very well. Always good to have a few tools in the toolbox

This grounding activity is helpful for children and young people who may be overwhelmed as they adjust to the return to school.

Resource: https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Thurs_8_Sept_Grounding_activity.pdf

PLEASE SHARE - The Office of Public Works reminded us that there is FREE admission for people with disabilities and their carers to all of their fee-paying heritage sites across the country. Information about each site’s accessibility can be found on their individual web pages so if you would like to visit a specific place and have any concerns about accessibility or queries about the facilities on offer, contact the site directly. Further details available at

Site Accessibility | Heritage Ireland We offer free entry for those with disabilities and their accompanying carers at all of our sites where an admission charge applies.

I came across this post on the website of St Gabriel’s School in Limerick and was delighted to see that our friend Flo Longhorn continues to inspire teachers and so, enrich the lives of children. What you may not know is that Flo has written extensively on supporting adults. I would love to know if any other schools are employing the ideas of Flo Longhorn. Her work focuses on using sensory perceptual differences to effectively teach skills and enhance the lives of those with the most challenging impairments

Support Teacher Sinéad - St. Gabriel's School Limerick Sensory Room Tour! Brian the Smelly Bear Who Smells Something Smelly New story from Sinéad – Oi Frog! Nursery Rhymes with Sinead and Grace Life Cycle of the Frog Make your own lava lamp! Super simple Sensory Demonstration – Bubble Snakes April 16th, 2020 Food for thought compliments of the wond...

High Court finds HSE's Assessment of Need falls short The High Court has ruled that the HSE's Assessment of Need process for children falls short of what is required under the Disability Act.

Is anyone would like to contribute to the research of Aoife O’Connor she would be very appreciative

Survey Participation

All sessions will be open to autistic people, parents and education professionals and will last one hour. Participants can attend the live event or access recordings after the event. All participants will need to register via the website.

In addition, the Centre will again deliver its 5-week wraparound programme for primary, post primary and special school sectors. These programmes will be delivered online and are open to autistic people, parents and education professionals. More information can be accessed on the Centre’s website.

Link to Training section on website:
https://www.middletownautism.com/training/joint

Advent calendar Day 6-
It’s OK not to wear a Christmas jumper. Familiar clothing will cause less anxiety.

Everyone needs to learn how to self calm and people on the spectrum need to be specifically taught strategoes sometimes

Many children innately know what they need so offering choice is really important. Here’s a handy resource

I saw What I (don’t) know about Autism when it was performed in Dublin. It was the best piece of theatre and the best autism education course I ever saw/experienced. Absolutely fantastic

There is just one more day until the opening of the Centre’s 4th international conference, and so it seems the perfect time to share the final interview in our conference podcast series. In this episode, Dr Fiona McCaffrey chats to Jody O’Neill, who is an award-winning autistic writer and performer with over 20 years’ experience working in the theatre, film and TV sector in Ireland and internationally. To hear more from Jody, you can attend the conference where she will be delivering a keynote address on “What I (don’t) know about autism” and also talking about her play of the same name in a separate session.

✨You can still register for a place at the conference at this link: https://eventfulbelfast.eventsair.com/mca/register/Site/Register

🎙Podcast🎙
Buzzsprout- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1184276/

Spotify-https://open.spotify.com/show/5mSa0W6kW5P69L9rCSmQUa

Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-middletown-centre-for-autism-podcast/id1554057325

Stitcher- https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-middletown-centre-for-autism-podcast

Middletown are running their 4th conference and it’s free. Register at the link provided

Author of the highly acclaimed book "Nobody's Normal', Richard is Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs at the George Washington University in Washington.

✨To register for a place at our conference please visit the link:
https://eventfulbelfast.eventsair.com/mca/register/Site/Register

🔊Podcast Episode 1: Dr Barry Prizant🔊

The Centre is excited to officially launch its new podcast series, as part of the build up to the conference to be held online on 23-24 April 2021.

In this first episode, Dr Barry Prizant, author of ‘Uniquely Human’ and co-creator of the SCERTS framework, talks to Jill McCanney about his perspectives on Neurodiversity and how unique differences enrich society for all.

✨To listen to the podcast visit this link:
https://www.middletownautism.com/social-media/podcast-episode-1-barry-prizant-3-2021

If you enjoy this podcast, you can hear more from Dr Prizant when he presents the keynote speech on Friday 23 April at the Centre’s international conference.
✨You can register now at this link:
https://eventfulbelfast.eventsair.com/mca/register/Site/Register

✨To hear more podcasts from Dr Prizant’s, you can access his own series, ‘Uniquely Human’, at this link: https://uniquelyhuman.com/

INTO Press Release https://www.into.ie/news/plans-and-protocols-for-partial-and-phased-resumption-of-special-education-provision.html

Plans and protocols for partial and phased resumption of special schools and classes in mainstream schools - Irish National Teachers' Organisation Over the last two weeks, the INTO has participated in intensive engagement with the Department of Education and Fórsa. The Central Executive Committee of INTO has considered detailed proposals on a slow, phased and partial resumption of special education from mid-February.

Agreement has been reached on phased reopening. https://www.forsa.ie/forsa-supports-phased-return-to-in-school-special-education/

Fórsa supports phased return to in-school special education - Forsa Fórsa supports plan for phased return to in-school special needs education Fórsa, which represents special needs assistants (SNAs) this afternoon (1st February) agreed to support new education department proposals for the phased re-opening of special schools and special classes. The revised plan, ...

If anyone would like to participate in researching exploring families experiences of accessing multidisciplinary support teams the link is here. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAANAASzoI_1UMkdPMlIyOUIxRVVJRjNBWDlKOFA1SENYSi4u

Microsoft Forms

Most recent update from Forsa website

Schools sector: Update for members - Forsa Fórsa attended a meeting with Government ministers and representatives of the education department and school management bodies this morning (14th January). The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation also attended. The Government position is that they would like to move towards a partial reopening...

After engagement & agreement with all stakeholders, children with SEN who wish will be able to return to class from 21st January

SNAs can co-operate with return to school for children with special needs, says union Union to advise SNAs to co-operate with resumption of services provided there is progress on a range of further safety measures proposed