For Professionals

Supporting Autistic Learners and Autism and Communication

About this course

Supporting Autistic Learners
This session provides a neurodiversity-affirming exploration of how autistic learners experience, understand, and engage with the world. 
Drawing on evidence-informed practice, it highlights the role of visual supports in enhancing understanding, reducing cognitive load, and promoting inclusion, wellbeing, and participation across educational settings.
 

Together we  will:

  • Explore autistic strengths and cognitive differences through a strengths-based lens.
  • Understand how visual supports can enhance communication, learning, independence, and emotional regulation.
  • Examine how visual approaches can be integrated with relational and environmental supports to create predictability and psychological safety.
  • Develop a practical toolkit of visual strategies that can be adapted to individual learner needs, strengths, and sensory profiles.

Autism and Communication
This session explores communication through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, recognising communication as a two-way process shaped by neurological differences, context, and relationships. Participants will deepen their understanding of autistic communication styles and consider how classroom practices can either support or hinder participation.

Participants will:

  • Explore contemporary perspectives on autistic communication, including monotropism and gestalt language processing.
  • Reflect on how adult communication styles, questioning, and expectations influence engagement.
  • Learn practical strategies to support understanding, expression, and meaningful participation.
  • Develop confidence in adapting language and communication approaches to make learning environments more accessible, predictable, and inclusive.

Location

St Paul's Primary and Nursery School, Slievemore, 1 Moss Road , Galliagh , Londonderry/Derry , BT48 8QZ

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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.