Event summary
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Scoil Iósaf Primary School, Newcastle West, Limerick
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Autism and Sensory Processing This session centres sensory processing as a core aspect of autistic experience and identity, rather than a problem to be managed or reduced. Sensory differences are explored as access needs that shape how autistic children participate in learning, relationships, and daily life. The session examines how sensory environments can either enable presence or function as barriers that exclude, overwhelm, or silence autistic children. Participants will be supported to: Understand sensory processing differences across all sensory systems, including interoception. Recognise how sensory environments often privilege some nervous systems while marginalising others. Identify how sensory overload can lead to withdrawal, distress, or reduced participation, not simply as behaviour, but as communication. Make practical, respectful adjustments to environments and routines that support regulation, dignity, and sustained participation both in school and at home.
Location
Scoil Iósaf Primary School
Knockane Road
Newcastle West
Limerick
V42 T180
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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
Scoil Iósaf Primary School , Newcastle West , Limerick