Event summary
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Marino Community School, Bray, Wicklow
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Autism and Reframing Behaviour: Autistic Children and Young People with High Care and Education Needs This session reflects a significant shift in how behaviour is understood within autism support. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and interpersonal neurobiology, behaviour is explored as communication, never as manipulation, defiance, or pathology. Many behaviours labelled as "challenging" are in fact adaptive responses to overwhelm, unmet needs, or a lack of felt safety. Other behaviours, such as stimming, repetition, or withdrawal, are often essential mechanisms for regulation, communication, or joy. Parents and family members are supported to move away from behaviour control models and toward a relational, regulatory framework. This session explores: The contemporary neuroaffirming shift in understanding behaviour. Environmental and internal contributors to distress and overwhelm. The role of neuroception and felt safety in supporting regulation. The essential role of adult regulation and self-compassion in co regulating with a child in distress. Parents and family members will: Deepen their understanding of what behaviour is communicating. Reflect on their own beliefs and emotional responses with compassion, not judgment. Learn how to identify stressors within environments rather than locating difficulty within the child. Understand co-regulation as a relationship based process rooted in safety, trust, and connection.
Location
Marino Community School
Church Road, Bray A98 TW99
Bray
Wicklow
A98 TW99
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Gemma O'Neill
Gemma has extensive experience working collaboratively with educators, families and multidisciplinary professionals to develop individualised approaches that recognise autistic strengths, differences and support needs across school and home environments.
In her current role, Gemma is involved in the development and delivery of autism-specific professional learning and training across Ireland, working with educators and professionals, including within higher education. She also contributes to the development of training programmes and the coordination of large-scale professional learning events, bringing professionals together to share and showcase effective practice.
Gemma holds a Master’s Degree in Special Educational from Queen’s University Belfast. Her professional interests include neuroaffirming autism practice, inclusive education, professional learning, and supporting autistic learners to participate meaningfully in education.
Event summary
Date
Start Time
End Time
Marino Community School , Bray , Wicklow