Event summary
Date
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Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar, Galway
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Autism and Sensory Processing This session situates sensory processing as a central aspect of autistic experience, identity, and participation, particularly within Post Primary schools that are often noisy, crowded, visually complex, and movement intensive. Using a Rightful Presence framework, sensory differences are-examined as access needs, not behavioural problems. The session invites educators to consider how Post Primary schools frequently privilege certain nervous systems while marginalising others. Participants will be supported to: Understand sensory processing differences across all sensory systems, including interoception. Recognise how sensory overload can affect concentration, emotional regulation, attendance, and engagement. Understand that withdrawal, shutdown, reduced participation, or apparent avoidance may represent adaptive responses to sensory overwhelm. Identify subject specific sensory demands and pressure points across the school day. Implement practical, low cost environmental adaptations that enhance regulation, dignity, and sustained participation without singling out students.
Location
Coláiste Mhuire
Lower Main Street
Ballygar
Galway
F42 D265
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Joan McDonald
Following many years teaching in mainstream classrooms, Joan worked on individual planning in centres for adults with learning disabilities and those with mental health struggles.
She, then, became one of the first SENOs in Ireland, observing and providing school supports for students with atypical needs across eighty rural schools.
While studying for an M.Ed. in Autism, Joan was taught by and met a variety of autistic adults, which ultimately led to her own autism assessment. Prior to meeting such a diverse range of autistic people, Joan would only have recognised autism in people with profound and complex support needs.
Joan is passionate about using students’ interests to support autistic learners of all levels of cognitive ability to access education and contented lives.
She currently works on a variety of projects with agencies such as Middletown Centre for Autism, Dublin City University, Nua Healthcare, Fingal Libraries. In recent years, creating and delivering the Posauteen and Posaudult courses to help autistic people understand and advocate for themselves has been a major focus of Joan’s time.
Event summary
Date
Start Time
End Time
Coláiste Mhuire , Ballygar , Galway