Event summary
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St Joseph's National School, Borris-in-Ossory, Laois
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Autism and Communication This session invites participants to re-examine communication through a neurodiversity affirming lens. Rather than positioning autistic communication as disordered, the training explores communication as a two way interaction shaped by neurological difference, context, power, and expectation. Participants are supported to move beyond comparison with neurotypical norms and instead develop an appreciation of autistic communication styles as logical, purposeful, and meaningful. Participants will: Explore contemporary theories and frameworks that explain differences in autistic and non-autistic communication, including monotropism and gestalt language processing. Reflect on their own communication preferences and implicit expectations, considering how these may either facilitate or constrain connection with autistic children. Learn practical, respectful strategies to support both understanding and expression, focusing on access to communication rather than "performance". Develop confidence in adapting their communication to be clear, predictable, and attuned, across home and school environments.
Location
St Joseph's National School
Townparks
Borris-in-Ossory
Laois
R32 FP79
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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
St Joseph's National School , Borris-in-Ossory , Laois