Event summary
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Scoil Iósaf Primary School, Newcastle West, Limerick
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Autism and Reframing Behaviour In this session, behaviour is reframed as meaningful communication arising from nervous system states, environmental demands, developmental stage, and relational context. The focus shifts away from behaviour management and toward creating classroom and school conditions that support regulation, connection, and participation. Drawing on neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, primary school educators are supported to critically reflect on traditional behaviour approaches and adopt practices that are developmentally appropriate, relationally attuned, and rights affirming. Primary School Professionals will: Examine the paradigm shift from managing behaviour to understanding stress responses and adaptive behaviour in young children. Explore how adult expectations, power dynamics, pace, and lack of access can unintentionally escalate distress. Develop an understanding of neuroception and the central role of felt safety in learning, regulation, and behaviour. Reflect on how adult emotional regulation, predictable environments, and relational trust support co-regulation. Consider how honouring autistic behaviour as adaptive preserves dignity, protects joy, and affirms each child's rightful place in the Primary School community.
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