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St Clare's National School, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan
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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
St Clare's National School
Virginia Road
Ballyjamesduff
Cavan
A82 XN67
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Susan Keery
Susan brings with her over 20 years' experience supporting autistic children, adolescents and adults across both health and education sectors. Specifically supporting autistic individuals with individualised, person-centred, home programmes, and school support; as well as providing training and ongoing support to parents and professionals.
Susan holds degrees at undergraduate and master's level; and is currently working on her PhD within the school of Social Sciences, Education and Social work (QUB). Susan's research is focused on social anxiety in the autistic community with special interest in subsequent impact on school absences. Her research aims to reduce barriers to accessing support by using immersive technology. Susan is passionate about her research and practice being directed by the lived experience of the autistic community.
Event summary
Date
Start Time
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St Clare's National School , Ballyjamesduff , Cavan