Training Packages - Middletown Centre For Autism

Event summary

Date

Tuesday 25 May 2027

Start Time

11:00

End Time

13:00

Ashbourne Educate Together National School, Ashbourne, Meath

Booking closes

Saturday 22 May 2027 11am

Autism and Understanding Anxiety

This training approaches anxiety as a contextual and relational experience, often emerging when environments place sustained demands on autistic children to adapt, mask, or function without adequate support. Rather than viewing anxiety as an internal flaw, the session highlights the role of environmental unpredictability, sensory overwhelm, communication barriers, and relational misattunement, particularly in primary school settings.

Participants will explore:

How anxiety is experienced physiologically and emotionally by autistic children.
The cumulative impact of masking, fatigue, and unmet needs from an autistic perspective.
How anxiety often reflects threats to safety, predictability, and belonging.
Practical supports that reduce anxiety by changing expectations, environments, and adult responses, thereby restoring a child's sense of agency, belonging and security.

Location

Ashbourne Educate Together National School
Killegland
Ashbourne
Meath
A84 A4X6
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Gemma O'Neill

Gemma O’Neill is an Autism Trainer/Advisor at Middletown Centre for Autism, bringing over 20 years of experience across education, autism practice and professional learning. Her career has included roles as a SENCO and Specialist Teacher, supporting autistic children and young people across educational settings, including preschool, mainstream primary and post-primary schools, autism classes and special schools.

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.