ADHD DAY in partnership with ADHD Ireland

'ADHD is the Energy for Life'

ADHD IRELAND

Our mission is to make life better for people affected by ADHD. We are dedicated to providing up-to-date information, resources and networking opportunities to individuals with ADHD, parents of children with ADHD and the professionals who serve them. We provide support and advice through our support line and emails, send out information, produce publications, organise information sessions and psychoeducation, run group CBT & Coaching courses for young people & adults, run parenting courses, work to raise awareness of the condition and contribute to research. We collaborate with many organisations focusing on research and the promotion of ADHD.

Find out more about ADHD IRELAND HERE

DYSLEXIA DAY 

Dyspraxia Matters Ireland

 'Dyslexia and Hands-on Learning'

Two primary school teachers with over 15 years of experience teaching both in mainstream and SET. Qualified as specialist teachers with a post-grad in Dyslexia from the University of Birmingham. Dyslexia Matters Ireland aims to help and educate teachers and parents in the area of dyslexia and primary school. 

More information about Dyslexia Matters Ireland click HERE

Aisling is a neurodiverse advocate with a background in disability advocacy and specialising in autism. Aisling was the head of training and business advisory services for autism charity AsIAm for 3 years and was the project lead for the Clonakilty Autism Friendly towns project. Seeing a need to include all hidden disabilities in her advocacy work Aisling founded the neuroDIVERSITY people in 2020 to support people from neurodiverse backgrounds enhance their lives by supporting employers and society to understand and celebrate different brains. Aisling speaks to schools, businesses and organisations about how they can improve their Inclusion and Diversity practices. 

Aisling is Chairperson of the autism charity Wickolw Triple A Alliance since 2017, and has been involved in supporting families across Wicklow who are affected by autism through advocacy, activities, events, family fun days and summer camps. During the last two years Wicklow Triple A Alliance and Greystones Tidy Towns collaborated on a Sensory Garden project in Greystones which was completed in October 2021 with the support of Wicklow County Council and Greystones Municipal District. 

To get in touch with Aisling you can email her on theneurodiversitypeople@gmail.com

DYSPRAXIA DAY 

Fay Dunn

'Fay's top toys and tools to help your child with fine and gross motor skills, memory and Organisation skills'

Fay has worked for Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland since 2015 as the Helpline and Programme Support Officer. Fay proudly shares her lived experience of Dyspraxia/DCD, presenting talks to parents, educators and health care professionals. She is a regular contributor on national and local radio sharing her own experiences of growing up, school life, working life, and adulthood. Fay is passionate about increasing awareness and understanding of Dyspraxia/DCD in the wider community through strong advocacy and a genuine commitment to supporting the people that she works with to achieve their goals.  

In 2016, Fay set up a social group for children with dyspraxia/DCD and additional diagnoses in Dublin 7, ‘Cairde Club’. Cairde Club was a safe and fun environment where children aged 4-12 with a primary diagnosis of Dyspraxia/DCD and their siblings could interact and engage in different types of play, with activities focusing on improving fine and gross motor skills, organisational and social skills. Cairde Club was particularly beneficial for children who had perhaps dropped out of other types of clubs/groups, due to the challenges of having dyspraxia, and Cairde Club gave them the confidence to make new friends and try new things. The Club grew into two groups, for younger and older children, and went online during Covid-19.    

Fay has also been a Guide Leader with the Catholic Guides of Ireland in Dublin for 8 years, working with children aged 5 – 17 at weekly meetings, days out and weekend camping trips. 

Fay has just completed a Level 6 qualification to become a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) – from her personal experiences of having dyspraxia/DCD and dyslexia, Fay knows what it is like to be in school and want to fit in with your peers and do your best, and hopes she can now help students to reach their own goals through her work as an SNA.  

NEURODIVERSITY FOR ADULTS 

Aengus Burke

Mental Health is the Key

I am involved in Social Care / Youth Work for the past twelve years between full-time work, part-time work and volunteering. This covered various issues including the following. 

SUPPORT WORKER: This involved working with people with disabilities, challenging behaviours, ADHD etc. and supporting them as necessary in their lives and some as they faced the challenges as they returned to independent living. 

YOUTH MENTOR: Working with young people referred by the Probation Services. Helping young people with various issues including addiction, mental health issues, making changes to their lifestyles away from crime, education, sourcing accommodation, independent living, assistance seeking work, family relationships.

YOUTH ADVOCATE: As above but working with young people referred by Social Workers. Other roles included attending case meetings with CAMHS and other mental health and addiction services, schools, social services etc.

REHABILITATION ASSISTANT TO PEOPLE WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY: Supporting people on their recovery following their acquired brain injury. This involved a lot of cognitive exercises and coping strategies to adapt to their new circumstances. Setting goals and working towards them, providing support in the return to the community and providing support in everyday activities was also a part of this role. As part of this i facilitated a weekly group meeting where people with brain injuries got together and discussed any issues they had. The “Hero’s Journey” was used to guide these sessions.

PRISON OUTREACH PROGRAMME: This involved visiting prison and supporting prisoners with various issues from practical to emotional. Here I also co-presented pre-release programmes. 

VICTIM SUPPORT AT COURT: This involved supporting the victims of crime in the Central Criminal Court. Again a lot of emotional stuff involved as victims and their families faced the wrongdoer and listened to the details of serious crime and murders. 

HOMELESS SERVICE: Working here again involved a mixture of practical and emotional support as people coped with living homeless. Mental Health, Addiction and behavioural issues also in this role. 

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PANEL MEMBER: This involves a panel meeting with the wrongdoer in a crime along with the facilitator, a member of the Gardai and any other relevant party. These cases are referred from the court system and the aim is to reflect on the crime and repair the damage in a restorative manner.

Along with the above, I have over 20 years involving coaching football (soccer) and athletics with young people. 

Find out more about HERE

Tash Milne: late-diagnosed mum of late-diagnosed teen, on our altered path towards understanding, restoration, and rejuvenating ourselves. Natasha will share her life experience and outline what has helped her and her family to be happy with ADHD.