Continuing our podcast series in the build up to World Autism Accepatance Month, the Centre is delighted to share another insightful podcast recorded at the AsIAm conference last month.  This time Gemma O’Neill interviews Dr Wenn Lawson.  He discusses his passion for research and the importance of co-production, but also the challenges experienced by autistic researchers and the right to access a supportive workplace.  He finishes with some previews into his many and varied current and future projects. 

Pet owners gain a gain a huge amount of joy from their pets. In this  podcast Dr Cat Hughes (Researcher, Middletown Centre for Autism) talks to Dr Ana Maria Barcelos, a researcher at @universityoflincoln. Her research looks at how dog ownership can positively impact wellbeing & even suicidal thoughts in autistic adults. You can find out more about Ana’s study in our upcoming Research Bulletin. 

Please note that this podcast contains discussion on suicide which some listeners may find upsetting.

In this podcast you will hear an open and honest account of the teaching experiences of a newly qualified teacher in Fleming Fulton School.  She discusses the impact on her autistic students of getting the correct visual supports in place and acknowledges the support received by the school from Middletown Centre for Autism.

Acknowledgements: Helen Forde, Tracey McGovern and  Hannah Jordan.

Many young people will be preparing to make a significant life transition over the coming weeks.  Starting third level education is a major milestone, and for autistic people, it requires careful planning and additional support.  In this podcast interview, Claire Smyton talks about her son’s experience of making the transition from special school to college last September.  She explains his specific anxieties and the supports which ensured a positive experience for him.

In this podcast teachers Elaine, Aisling, Máire and Éabha discuss teaching autistic pupils in an Irish-medium environment with Dáithí Murray. 

In recent years, the number of autism classes in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools has greatly increased. So too has the number of children benefiting from Irish-medium education and the immersion model from naíonra onwards. 

The panel will share some of the benefits of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht education for autistic children and young people, as well as some tips and advice for colleagues working in the sector. They will also share some insights into unique issues facing those working in Irish-medium education to support autistic pupils and students reach their full potential. 

Sa phodchraoladh seo, pléann na múinteoirí Elaine, Aisling, Máire agus Éabha a dtaithí ar pháistí uathacha a mhúineadh sa chóras lán-Ghaeilge le Dáithí Murray.  

Le blianta beaga anuas, tá méadú mór tagtha ar líon na ranganna uathachais i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta. Ciallaíonn sé sin freisin go bhfuil méadú mór tagtha ar líon na bpáistí atá ag fáil buntáistí an oideachais lán-Ghaeilge agus mhúnla an tumoideachais ó leibhéal an naíonra ar aghaidh.  

Roinnfidh an painéal roinnt de na buntáistí a bhaineann leis an oideachas lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta do pháistí agus daoine óga uathacha, mar aon le cúpla leid agus comhairle bhreise do chomhghleacaithe eile atá ag obair sa chóras. Tabharfaidh siad léargas freisin ar roinnt de na saincheisteanna faoi leith a bhaineann leo siúd atá ag obair san earnáil chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do dhaltaí agus scoláirí uathacha barr a gcumais amach. 

In this podcast, Cat Hughes (Researcher, Middletown Centre for Autism) interviews Ellie Buckley (Research Fellow in East London NHS Foundation Trust).  She discusses research carried out when she was Honorary Research Associate, University College London.  The research examined employment experiences of autistic people in the performing arts, and Ellie offers advice to young people interested in a career in this area.  She highlights the importance of flexibility and support in the workplace, with a particular focus on mentorship.

Links to useful organisations:

https://flowobsad.wixsite.com/flow-observatorium

https://accessallareastheatre.org/

https://cordialfox.com/

In this week of international autism acceptance, the Centre is delighted to share a podcast interview in which Cat Hughes (Middletown Centre for Autism) converses with Mel Romuladez (Centre for Research in Autism and Education).  They discuss the challenges of disclosing a diagnosis in the workplace and the importance of employers creating an ethos of acceptance and understanding. 

 To mark the start of Autism Acceptance week learning , the Centre is sharing this podcast recorded by Helen Forde (Specialist teacher, Middletown Centre for Autism) with Kevin Warde and Shauna Lyness from Lismore Comprehensive School.  This is an example of a school which has placed a focus on how the school can accept and meet the diverse learning styles of all students.  They discuss changes adopted by the school to ensure they meet the emotional and needs of autistic students.  This has included environmental environmental modifications throughout the whole school and increasing the knowledge about autism amongst staff and students.  

Whole School Interview with James from Harberton School with James and Middletown Centre for Autism Helen Forde 

interview Coordinated by Catherine Latimer (Research Team Middletown Centre of Autism) and with Helen Lynch  (University College Cork senior Lecturer)