Event summary

Date

Start Time

End Time

Cedar Lodge School, Belfast, Antrim

Closed

Autism and Reframing Behaviour: Autistic Children and Young People with High Care and Education Needs

This training will introduce participants to the ongoing paradigm shift in understanding behaviour from a physiological perspective, drawing on research from neuroscience, psychology, and interpersonal neurobiology.

It will encourage parents and professionals to pause and reflect on their current beliefs and reactions to the behavioural differences presenting within their autistic students.

Parents and professionals will be supported to consider behavioural differences that are authentic to the autistic child and young person and their invaluable role in maintaining joy in their lives.

Furthermore, participants will be supported to understand the underlying factors contributing to distressed behaviours, and how supporting professionals can help.

Participants will:

  • Gain an understanding of the ongoing paradigm shift in how we think about "behaviour" presenting in our autistic children and young people.
  • To support participants to recognise their inner biases, judgements and beliefs that may be impacting upon how they support an autistic child or young person in distress.
  • To understand the underlying and environmental factors contributing to distress and overwhelm within the autistic child or young person.
  • Understand their role in managing their own regulation as an essential process to the co-regulatory support they provide their autistic children, young people and students.

Location

Cedar Lodge School
24 Lansdowne Park North
Belfast
Antrim
BT15 4AE
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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 Needs 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.

Event summary

Date

Start Time

End Time

Cedar Lodge School , Belfast , Antrim

Closed