Target Audience: Primary principals or one special education teacher per school or one post holder responsible for special needs in each school.

This Principal CPD course explores updated concepts grounded in autistic perspectives, research and neurodevelopmental practices. The concept of neurodiversity has gained recognition and ways to support autistic children have changed and developed significantly in recent times. Autistic adults are asking us to replace many of our school-based traditional practices, so that they are supportive of autistic culture and wellbeing. Roisin will present a strength-based approach which prioritises connection, regulation, active engagement, meaningful skill building and accountability. Intensive Interaction is used in schools to directly promote social inclusion and communication. It is child-centred and responsive, and it values difference. Staff learn to consciously adjust their communicative style to facilitate mutual connection, therefore providing access to education for our children who learn in unique ways. Roisin will use video as a basis for discussions on how to support student motivation, autonomy, meaningful interactions and skill building.

Learning Outcomes: Principals will:

• be enabled to have greater knowledge and sight and understanding of what Intensive Interaction is and who it is for.
• be able to describe why Intensive Interaction is used to support neurodivergent children.
• be able to start applying these principles in interactions with complex students.
• develop a comprehensive understanding of priority learning needs for neurodivergent children based on updated research inclusive of neurodivergent perspectives.
• foster an understanding of where to access intensive interaction training for whole school bespoke training.

Roisin Doherty-Brady is a qualified primary school teacher. She has a BE’d Hons Degree in Education (1998) and a Postgraduate degree in SEN (2014). Roisin is a trainer for the Intensive interaction Institute. She is an Advanced Practitioner in The Curiosity Programme and Attention Autism. Roisin has experience in a variety of educational settings including mainstream, SEN and autism and has assisted school leaders in the opening of autism classes. She offers professional development through webinars and face to face presentations for teachers and SNAs to raise awareness of neurodiversity affirming practices. She continues to remain updated through research, attending courses and through discussions with SLT’s, OTs, psychologists, Intensive Interaction and Attention Autism mentors and practitioners. Roisin’s autistic children have deepened her understanding and passion for supporting children in meaningful ways for them. She advocates for autistic individuals through educating teachers, SNAs and neurotypical children about neurodiversity affirming practices, supports and accommodations, inclusive
of neurodevelopmental research which is embedded in autistic perspectives.

Substitution cover is not provided, local arrangements apply.

Lunch will be provided.

Book your place at www.carrickedcentre.ie