Event summary
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City North Hotel, Meath, Meath
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This event brings together researchers and practitioners, from NI and ROI, to explore compassionate and contemporary understandings of autistic young people who experience significant anxiety about attending school. These perspectives will highlight what supports genuine safety, connection and capacity for engagement.
Throughout the day, you’ll hear research insights, practice examples from schools, contributions from support services across Ireland, and lived-experience perspectives that highlight what supports genuine safety, connection, and capacity for engagement.
The focus is on building knowledge, challenging unhelpful narratives, and equipping educators with a neuro-affirming toolkit to support autistic children and young people in ways that respect their needs, autonomy, and wellbeing.
Join us for an informative and empowering day designed to strengthen understanding and practice.
Speakers on the Day are;
- Brian Fitzsimons
- Ruth Moyes
- Gillian Whiteside
**Please note - Lunch is provided**
Location
City North Hotel
Gormanston
Meath
Meath
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Brian, Ruth & Gillian
Ruth is autistic and is Head of Training and Co-Production at AT-Autism, with over 20 years’ experience as a trainer, course developer, mentor, and teacher. Her work focuses on the education, mental health, and wellbeing of autistic children and young people, particularly autistic girls, with a strong commitment to participatory research and co-production. She is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Southampton, has co-directed the NHS-commissioned National Autism Trainer Programme, co-developed an autism-informed sports coaching course accredited by CIMSPA, and sits on several neurodiversity advisory and research boards across the UK and Europe.
Gillian has over 33 years’ experience supporting autistic children and young people across Northern Ireland, Kenya, England, and Spain. She has worked within the Education Authority for 22 years in roles including Specialist Teacher, Phase Leader, and member of the Autism Specialist Team. She holds an MSc in Autism, the Postgraduate Qualification in Headship (PQH), and is an accredited independent trainer. Gillian also tutors on university MSc Autism programmes and is committed to practice that centres autistic voices, relationships, and shared learning.
Event summary
Date
Start Time
End Time
City North Hotel , Meath , Meath