The Neuroconvergence Podcast

A clear, lived-experience guide to the Autistic SPACE framework—how sensory needs, predictability, acceptance, communication, and empathy transform care in clinics, hospitals, and classrooms.

• Dr. Mary Doherty — Autistic physician and researcher; lead author of the Autistic SPACE framework for healthcare.

• Elaine McGoldrick — Autistic educator and former special-education teacher; co-author on applying SPACE in schools.

• Host: Michele Van Valey • Producer: Ian Lawton

• What "SPACE" means: Sensory needs • Predictability • Acceptance • Communication • Empathy Plus three supports: Physical space, Processing time, Emotional space.

• Healthcare realities: Barriers to access, why overhead lights, crowded bays, and unexpected touch derail care; simple fixes that work; adaptations for anaesthesia and other specialties.

• School realities: Masking, "fine at school, collapse at home," uniform policies as sensory traps; plan B/C for timetable changes; autonomy over compliance.

• Double empathy: Meeting in the middle by adjusting practitioner/teacher behavior rather than forcing autistic people to mask.

• Mental health and safeguarding: How normalization pressures damage self-concept and increase risk; why teaching autonomy matters.

• Implementation tactics: Small pilots, one issue at a time, consistent staff cues, pausing instead of filling silence, validating first.

• Flip first response: Lead with "You must have a good reason—tell me," then pause.

• Turn down the environment: Single rooms or curtained bays, lights off, quiet corners.

• Build predictability: Visual previews, clear next steps, agreed alternatives when plans change.

• Protect processing time: Ask once; wait; don't rephrase unless needed.

• Autonomy over coercion: Choices (red/blue shoes; partial attendance; blended learning).

• Whole-school/whole-team consistency: Shared one-page SPACE plan that any staff member can follow.

• 00:00 Intro & definitions

• 05:40 Sensory needs and environmental tweaks

• 07:30 Physical, processing, and emotional space

• 12:40 Pausing, silence, and communication differences

• 17:20 School refusal vs. system fit; reducing coercion

• 23:30 Practical school accommodations and plan B/C

• 27:20 Acceptance, identity, and mental health outcomes

• 39:00 Double empathy in action

• 44:40 Adoption paths: clinics, training, staff culture

• 49:20 Closing notes and where SPACE is spreading

• Autistic SPACE framework paper (clinical settings)

• Adaptations for anaesthesia; social care; snow sports

• Lancet essay by Dr. Doherty on sensory overload and meltdown

Recording: Neuroconvergence Podcast Guests: Dr. Mary Doherty, Elaine McGoldrick • Host: Michele Van Valey • Production: Ian Lawton

Brief references to coercion in schools, ABA, and abuse risk.

Episode: Meeting Children Where They Are: Neuro-distinct Needs, School Stress & Strengths-Based Parenting Guest: Dr. John Sharry — social worker & psychotherapist; Clinical Director, Parents Plus; Adjunct Professor (UCD School of Psychology); Irish Times parenting columnist; author of 25+ books including Positive Parenting series; developer of the Parents Plus ADHD Children's Programme.

John Sharry explains why "diagnosis" frames neurodivergence as disorder, and offers a discovery-led, strengths-based approach. He maps common school attendance difficulties to unmet sensory, autonomy, and safety needs; shows how coercion backfires; and outlines practical, bespoke accommodations that reduce distress and rebuild connection. The conversation closes with how parents can support at home without punishment, and where to find further training.

• Swap diagnosis for discovery: identify profiles, needs, contexts; use labels only when they help action.

• School refusal is often protective behavior. Start with curiosity, validation, and co-design a path back.

• Autonomy beats coercion: offer choices (time, route, uniform flexibility, blended days).

• Watch for hidden stress: kids who "cope" at school often decompress explosively at home. Plan buffers.

• Punitive removal of "pleasures" (tech, etc.) doesn't fix a nervous system problem. Create safety first.

• Expect bespoke solutions: late arrival, shorter days, quiet entry, preferred clothing, interest-based engagement.

• Parents need connection > control: "I'm on your side; we'll figure this out together."

• 00:00–02:10 — Intro; role clarification; John's background.

• 02:10–06:30 — Why the word "diagnosis" is problematic; discovery/identity framing.

• 06:30–09:20 — Labels as tools vs. constraints; PDA framed as high-autonomy profile.

• 09:20–13:30 — Systems vs. child needs; uniform/sensory examples; empathy for "small" big things.

• 13:30–16:30 — Autonomy in micro-choices; involving the child in decisions.

• 16:30–21:50 — Media panic about "exposure" and "always/never"; pause, validate, de-escalate; avoid coercion trauma.

• 21:50–27:30 — Practical accommodations: late arrival, shorter days, blended learning; validate co-occurring health issues (pain, fatigue, hypermobility/EDS).

• 27:30–34:50 — "Fine at school, meltdown at home": white-knuckling, after-school buffer, reduce demands on arrival, earlier check-ins.

• 34:50–36:30 — Many thrive in school; aim is fit, not force.

• 36:30–41:00 — Why punishment and device bans don't work; build safety and relationship first.

• 41:00–50:00 — Tech hiccups, wrap-up; parent courses; upcoming workshops.

• Parents Plus — evidence-based parenting programmes.

• SolutionTalk.ie — John Sharry's workshops (Parenting Exceptional Children; Motivating a Child with ADHD & Anxiety).

• ADHD Ireland — UMAP (Understanding & Managing Adult ADHD Programme).

• ASRS — Adult ADHD Self-Report Screener.

• Book: The Power of Small — Aisling & Trish Leonard-Curtin (values, toward/away moves, ACT skills).

• Validate first: "You must have a good reason school feels unsafe. Tell me what's happening for you."

• Autonomy offer: "Two options: arrive at 9:30 when it's quiet, or do first class from home and go in at break."

• After-school buffer: "No instructions for 30 minutes; snack + quiet time before any requests."

• "Start with discovery, not diagnosis."

• "If a child is 'fine' at school and explodes at home, they were coping beyond capacity."

• "Coercion creates trauma; autonomy creates engagement."

Host: Michele Van Valey Producer: Ian Lawton Guest: Dr. John Sharry Recorded remotely; segment completed via phone due to connectivity issues.

• Add links for Parents Plus, SolutionTalk.ie, ADHD Ireland/UMAP, ASRS, The Power of Small in the episode description.

• Tag: neurodivergent parenting, school attendance anxiety, PDA profiles, ACT-informed supports.

"UMAAP, ACT, and the Power of Small: ADHD Support that Works"

Host Michele Van Valey speaks with Aisling Leonard-Curtin, senior psychologist on ADHD Ireland's UMAAP programme, co-director of ACT Now: Purposeful Living, and co-author of The Power of Small. They unpack how UMAP (Understanding & Managing Adult ADHD) blends evidence-based psychoeducation with Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), why no formal diagnosis is needed to join, and how "toward vs. away" moves, values, and tiny, sustainable actions can transform day-to-day life.

• Aisling Leonard-Curtin — Senior Psychologist, UMAAP (ADHD Ireland/National Clinical Programme/UCD); Co-director ACT Now; Co-author The Power of Small.

• Michele Van Valey — Host; educator and advocate.

• What UMAAP is: a free, HSE-funded, 6-session online programme for adults in Ireland who self-identify as ADHD (diagnosis not required).

• Structure: weekly 90-minute Zoom sessions (+ optional 15-minute Q&A), breakout-room choices or alternatives, and one "if you do just one thing" takeaway each week.

• ADHD model used: Dr Thomas Brown's six areas (organising/activating, focus, energy, emotion regulation, hyperactivity/impulsivity, working memory).

• Self-care, the UMAAP way: the FREEZE acronym — Food, Rest, Exercise, Enjoyment, Socialisation — with >90% of participants who implement changes reporting benefits.

• ACT essentials: values-led action, present-moment skills, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility.

• Language that helps: swap "right/wrong" for "toward/away moves"; wanted/unwanted rather than good/bad emotions; "What's The Function?" (WTF) of an action.

• Common traps: DOTS — Distractions, Opting-out, Thinking traps, Self-defeating actions; striving vs. sustainable progress; perfectionism and masking.

• Community matters: neuro-affirming facilitation by neurodivergent practitioners; optional themed breakout rooms (AuDHD, parents, perimenopause, etc.).

• Eligibility: 18+, resident in Ireland, self-identify as ADHD (with or without diagnosis).

• Format: 6 × 90-min live sessions on Zoom + 15-min optional Q&A; recordings available but live attendance predicts best outcomes.

• Cost: Free (HSE funded).

• Research: quantitative findings (lead: Dr. Christina Ciri) show statistically significant gains in psychological wellbeing; strong qualitative feedback on self-compassion and reduced masking.

• "Two things that are opposite can both be true for ADHD—distractible and hyper-focused." — Aisling

• "Live sessions build camaraderie and follow-through in a way recordings rarely do." — Aisling

• "Toward vs. away moves reduces shame and keeps action values-led." — Aisling

• "Perfectionism can immobilise; small steps reduce overwhelm and build momentum." — Aisling

• 00:00 — Intro & Aisling's role

• 00:29 — What UMAAP is; partners (NCP, UCD Psychology, ADHD Ireland)

• 01:26 — Eligibility without formal diagnosis

• 02:11 — Brown's six areas of ADHD

• 04:20 — Programme format; FREEZE self-care

• 06:28 — Time commitment; why live attendance matters

• 07:53 — Community and breakout-room options

• 12:00 — Multi-neurodivergence and themed rooms

• 13:23 — Research outcomes & lived impacts

• 17:30 — ACT fundamentals; psychological flexibility

• 21:48 — Values and "toward/away" in practice

• 30:52 — Wanted vs. unwanted emotions; emotions as signals

• 32:57 — The power of small, sustainable change

• 36:37 — DOTS; distractions vs. intent

• 38:20 — Striving vs. workable progress

• 41:26 — "WTF: What's The Function?"

• 42:10 — How to take the ASRS, join UMAP, and get the book

• 44:30 — Close

• UMAAP: https://adhdireland.ie/umaap/

• UMAAP Wait List: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=zsnC6EE400mftBbZbzdh5_EncnxqjABHiRnZA-2WuI5UQlk4VFFCVDVaQTZFRTkzSUVDUDFOSzBRNC4u&route=shorturl

• ADHD Screener (ASRS): https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf

• The Power of Small (Leonard-Curtin & Leonard-Curtin): audiobook on Spotify/Audible; print/ebook via major booksellers; request via libraries. Free resources: https://www.mypowerofsmall.com/

• Host: Michele Van Valey

• Guest: Aisling Leonard-Curtin

• Production: Ian Lawton

• If you're 18+ in Ireland and self-identify as ADHD, register for UMAAP via adhdireland.ie.

• Explore ASRS and the upcoming executive-function animation (to be released by UMAP).

• Read or listen to The Power of Small and try one toward move today.

"Neuroconvergence: Building a Neuro-affirming Movement"

Host Michele Van Valey speaks with Peter O'Brien, Jody O'Neill, and producer Ian Lawton about Neuroconvergence—a neurodivergent-led movement creating spaces for unity, creativity, and collaboration across Ireland. The conversation covers origins, language (neuro-affirming vs. neurodivergent), what inclusive events look like, and details for the UCD event on Saturday, 18 October.

• Peter O'Brien — Events/festivals producer (Happenings); late-identified ADHD; parent to an autistic, minimally speaking son. Co-initiator of Neuroconvergence.

• Jody O'Neill — Autistic writer/producer; creator of What I Don't Know About Autism; co-curator and program lead.

• Michele Van Valey — Host; educator and advocate (Neurodiversity Ireland webinars); dyslexic/dyspraxic.

• Ian Lawton — Producer (NeuroHive); autistic/ADHD; behind-the-scenes production.

• Why "Neuroconvergence": A more neuro-affirming frame than "divergence," centring community and collaboration.

• From pilot to momentum: A 2024 pilot at Richmond Barracks led to Rethink Ireland support and a scalable model.

• Designing inclusive events: Partners' roundtables, panels, creative spaces, quiet zones, movement-friendly rooms, embedded access, and "no-shame" participation.

• Community metaphor: Penguins—clumsy on land, graceful in water—illustrate how the right environment lets autistic people thrive.

• Network approach: Charities, artists, academics, families, and late-identified adults co-create next actions beyond talk.

• 12:00–14:00 Partners' Meeting (private). Facilitator: Michael Donnelly.

• 14:00–18:00 Public Festival: panels (late diagnosis & careers; "Embracing Complexity" university panel), lightning talks, music, spoken word, film, teen games area, DJ space, yoga, breathwork, artist sessions.

• Access: Access coordination by Naomi; visual guides in advance; multiple sensory environments; clear "come and go" policy.

• Get tickets / Propose a lightning talk: neuroconvergence.ie (programme, booking, simple Google Form).

• Can't make it? Further dates in December and March.

AsIAm, ADHD Ireland, Dyspraxia Ireland, Neurodiversity Ireland; team members include Gillian Kearns (NeuroPride), Adrienne Murphy (advocacy for nonspeakers/spelling to communicate), Al Bellamy (creatively embedded access; curation/production), Naomi (access), Sorca Woods (production/project management).

• On the name: "Neuroconvergence is more neuro-affirmative; it points us toward unity and collaboration." — Peter

• On community: "A place where nobody questions your presence or how you participate." — Jody

• On design: "We hold space—partners first, then the community—with multiple rooms and formats so people can self-pace." — Peter

• On environment: "Penguins on land vs. in water—when the environment fits, we flourish." — Group

• 00:00 — Intro & what is Neuroconvergence

• 02:30 — Origins: lived experience, late diagnosis, sector frustration

• 08:15 — Why the term "Neuroconvergence"

• 13:15 — Multiplicity of neurotypes; moving beyond boxes

• 16:30 — Richmond Barracks pilot & outcomes

• 23:10 — What "neuro-affirming/neuro-inclusive" looks like

• 26:20 — The penguin metaphor

• 27:50 — UCD event overview (Oct 18)

• 30:00 — Rethink Ireland funding; growth and jobs for neurodivergent artists

• 32:45 — Partnership with UCD; research and scale

• 34:45 — Access notes; visual guides; managing unknowns

• 37:40 — Team dynamics and roles

• 46:45 — Beyond diagnosis categories; common agenda and action

• 49:40 — How to get involved & upcoming dates

• 52:30 — Closing

• Website & Tickets: neuroconvergence.ie

• Instagram: @neuroconvergenceireland

• Podcast hub: On the website under "Podcasts"

• Host: Michele Van Valey

• Guests: Peter O'Brien, Jody O'Neill

• Producer: Ian Lawton (NeuroHive)

• Partners' Facilitator: Michael Donnelly

• Book UCD 18 Oct tickets, submit a Lightning Talk, or register your organisation as a Partner at neuroconvergence.ie.

• Subscribe to the newsletter for the December and March events.

www.neuroconvergence.ie/podcasts