Part 1 - Wednesday 22^nd April 2026

Part 2 - Wednesday 29^th April 2026

6.30pm to 8pm

Facilitator - Roisin Doherty-Brady

Audience - Primary / SNAs

Online via Zoom

Blurb

This two-part webinar on Neurodiversity and Intensive Interaction is designed for teachers and ANA/SNAs supporting neurodivergent children, with a focus on autism. The concept of neurodiversity has gained recognition and ways to support autistic children have changed and developed significantly in recent times. To support autistic mental health and wellbeing we are replacing many of our school based traditional practices with child-led responsive caregiving practices. Roisin will present a strength[1]based approach which prioritises connection, regulation, active engagement, meaningful skill building and accountability. This presentation will explore updated concepts that are grounded in research inclusive of autistic perspectives. Roisin will use videos to highlight Intensive Interaction as a practical approach in creating environments which enable access to education. Roisin will discuss priority learning needs for those children at early stages of social and emotional development. She will show how to instil intrinsic motivation, student autonomy, purpose and meaningful skill building into lesson plans.

Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes - Neurodiversity and Intensive Interaction -Part 1 

• Gain knowledge of the ‘neurodiversity’ umbrella.
• Learn about autism from research inclusive of autistic lived experiences.
• Learn about autistic friendly inclusive environments.
• Tune into autistic differences - strengths and challenges.
• Consider factors affecting regulation including nervous system development.
• Consider conditions necessary for successful participation.

Learning Outcomes - Neurodiversity and Intensive Interaction - Part 2

• Gain knowledge of the ‘neurodiversity’ umbrella.
• Learn about autism from research inclusive of autistic lived experiences.
• Learn about autistic friendly inclusive environments.
• Tune into autistic differences - strengths and challenges.
• Consider factors affecting emotional and psychological regulation
• Consider conditions necessary for successful participation.
• Apply knowledge through video case studies.
• Learn and reflect on our role as responding rather than initiating

Bio – Roisin Doherty-Brady has a BE’d Hons Degree in Education (1998) and a Postgraduate degree in SEN (2014). She has worked in mainstream primary, special school and autism specific school settings for over 20 years. Roisin facilitates webinars through Education Centres and is passionate about supporting a community of teachers and SNAs in neurodiversity informed practices throughout Ireland. She continues to update herself in neuro-affirming practices and this is reflected in her practice, and she currently works for the Intensive Interaction Training Team and is an Advanced Practitioner in Attention Autism. Roisin’s autistic children have deepened her understanding of autistic lived experiences. She works to upskill families, teachers, SNAs and peers in both home and school environments, to be able to support autistic children’s wellbeing and quality of life through meaningful interactions and participation. Her value driven practices are inclusive of neurodevelopmental research, embedded in autistic perspectives. Roisin's love of learning about neurodiversity informed practices has led her to begin her advanced training in The Curiosity Programme. She enjoys talking to and reflecting with other informed practitioners.

Zoom Link - Register in advance for each webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KFZX6NeTQH62wHRQ1G5HgQ

This webinar is hosted by Carrick-on-Shannon Education Support Centre. The information you provide when registering will be shared with the host centre and the centre through which you booked and can be used and shared by them in accordance with their Terms and Privacy Policy, which is available on their website.