Event summary

Date

Start Time

End Time

The TF Royal Hotel and Theatre, Castlebar, Mayo

Closed

This training session will share practical, supportive ways to understand and appreciate the unique needs of autistic teenagers. The focus of this course is on exploring key concepts such as neurodiversity, communication differences, and patterns of thinking in adolescence. It will cover areas such as masking, burnout, and the teenage brain, highlighting how these may impact the young person’s wellbeing and offering practical ways to provide support at home. 

Location

The TF Royal Hotel and Theatre
Old Westport Road
Castlebar
Mayo
F23 R288
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Tara Vernon

Tara Vernon

Tara Vernon is an Autism Trainer Advisor with Middletown Centre for Autism where a key element of her role is to holistically, support autistic children and young people in their education.

Tara’s work is neurodiversity-informed and autism affirming. Prior to joining the Middletown team, Tara worked across home, school, and external agency settings to provide autism specific specialist teaching, training, and emotional regulation support in these environments.

She is a member of both the Psychological Society of Ireland and the Teaching Council of Ireland and is a certified Sleep Counsellor. Tara recently completed a Master of Arts in Autism Studies.
Gemma O'Neill

Gemma O'Neill

Gemma O'Neill is an Autism Trainer/Advisor at Middletown Centre for Autism, bringing over 20 years of experience in education, including her role as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). In her career, Gemma has worked as a Specialist Teacher at Middletown Centre, supporting autistic children and young people across various educational settings, including Preschools, mainstream Primary and Post Primary schools, autism classes in mainstream environments, and Special Schools. Gemma also brings considerable experience in developing and delivering home programmes for autistic children, working closely with families to foster learning and development.
Gemma holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Queen’s University, Belfast. Her areas of expertise include curriculum development, classroom supports, differentiation techniques and transitions.

Event summary

Date

Start Time

End Time

The TF Royal Hotel and Theatre , Castlebar , Mayo

Closed