For Parents

Autism and Understanding Anxiety for those with additional learning difficulties

About this course

Autism and Understanding Anxiety for those with additional learning difficulties.
For many autistic students, school can be a major source of stress. Everyone shows their anxiety in individual ways, so the most reliable observations that a student is anxious are going to be made by the people who know the student best. This shows the importance of working closely not only within the family structure, but also with the school staff.

This session is an introduction to supports that can be used to alleviate the experience of anxiety in autistic students. This will include an introduction to cognitively based supports and how to develop student centred supports to deal with anxiety.

Participants will:

  • Recognise signs of escalating anxiety and potential emotional responses
  • Develop a range of simple supportive approaches to prevent the escalation of anxiety.
  • Understand the fundamentals of cognitively based management approaches.

Location

Longstone Special School, 42 Millars Lane, , Dundonald , Antrim , BT16 2DA

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About the trainer

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 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.