The Middletown Centre for Autism Podcast

To understand student needs, it’s essential that we give space for autistic students to share their experiences. On the latest podcast, Dr Finbar Horgan talks about his research, which gave space to the student voice.  

It can be difficult for parents to know how to best support their child as they explore their autistic identity. In this podcast, we chat to autistic author Niamh Garvey about her new book focused on children as they learn what being autistic means for them.   For more information on Niamh’s book, “Being Autistic (And What That Actually Means)” visit: https://niamhgarvey.com/books-for-autistic-kid...

For a long time, our understanding of autistic communication was based on assumptions made by non-autistic researchers. In this podcast, we chat to autistic researcher, Gemma Williams about her neurodiversity-affirming approach to communication.   To find out more about Gemma’s book, visit: https://pavpub.com/health-and-social-care/health-autism/understanding-others-in-a-neurodiverse-world-a-radic...

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to supportive learning that is growing in prominence. In our latest podcast we chat to Zarah Doyle, Training and Accreditation Manager with AsIAm. Zarah is an expert in the theory and practice of UDL. She shares her insight and we chat about her own experience as a multiply neurodivergent parent and professional.   You can also find an interview w...

Double Empathy is a theory that many believe is central to understanding autistic experience. In this episode we chat to Dr Damian Milton, the autistic researcher and theorist who developed the theory. We discuss what Double Empathy means for other theories of autism and how it can shape practical supports.  

Ahead of our Differentiation masterclass on the 15th, we chatted to Dr Jo Fitzsimons about adaptive teaching and the small changes that can have a huge impact in the classroom.   To find out more about Jo’s Masterclass visit: https://www.middletownautism.com/package/professionals/middletown-masterclasses  

We know that autistic people are more likely to have Tourettes Syndrome or tic conditions. In our latest podcast, we chat to comedian, playwright and author, Jess Thom aka TourettesHero. She talks about her experience living with Tourettes Syndrome and how she’s reclaiming and reframing this misunderstood condition.   You can find out more about Jess here: https://www.touretteshero.com/ 

Research suggests that between 50 and 70% of autistic people may also have ADHD. On our latest podcast we chat to Ken Kilbride, CEO of ADHD Ireland to learn more about life with ADHD.  For more information on ADHD Ireland, please visit:   https://adhdireland.ie/  

Non-speaking Awareness Day falls next week. On the podcast, we’re celebrating a young woman who is using Makaton to support young people who speak few or no words. Eve McIvor has Down Syndrome and is autistic. She’s also a Makaton Master bringing her passion for communication to young people in Northern Ireland.   You can follow Eve’s work through her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profil...

Trauma is a serious but important topic. In this episode, we’re joined by Specialist Teacher, Deirdre O’Shea who explains what trauma is, how it may impact autistic people and how we can support someone through trauma.   For more information on the topics discussed, please visit:  https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/ptsd-autism  https://mental-health-wellbeing.middl...

It looks like there was a glitch in our podcast with Dr Mary Doherty. For anyone who couldn't access it, here is the full version- In this episode, we chat to autistic health professional and researcher, Dr Mary Doherty. Mary has driven research to support autistic patients and healthcare workers.  We find out about her work and her experience as an autistic autism researcher.   You can find...

Animals & Nature with Becca Lory Hector Many autistic people feel particularly comfortable around animals and nature. In this podcast we speak to autistic author, researcher and advocate, Becca Lory Hector about her relationship with animals and how they have improved her life.   Trigger warning: this episode includes mention of mental health challenges and grief.   To learn more about Becca v...

The theory of Monotropism focuses on how autistic people allocate their attention. Autistic theorist, Fergus Murray joins us on the latest podcast episode to discuss how the theory, which was developed by autistic people, may explain much of autistic experience.  To read some of Fergus’ writing visit: https://oolong.co.uk/ 

In this episode, we’re learning more about the link between autism and physical health conditions. Dr Jessica Eccles, joins the podcast to discuss hypermobility: when someone has very flexible joints that can often cause pain.  You can find out more about Jessica’s work here: https://www.bsms.ac.uk/about/contact-us/staff/dr-jessica-eccles.aspx 

In this episode, we’re joined by Bethany Donaghy, an autistic researcher focused on understanding the experience of pain in autistic young people. She talks about the importance of challenging assumptions so we can better understand autistic children’s experience and expression of pain. She also chats about how being autistic has shaped how she conducts her research.  

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Alison Doyle - an educational psychologist, researcher and practitioner who has spent years supporting neurodivergent people. We discuss Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), why people may relate to it, how they can find support and why the topic may be controversial for some.  

As the Leaving cert approaches, lots of young people might also be thinking about university life. In this podcast we chat to Fiona Earley about Dublin City University’s autism-friendly initiative to find out about the steps that they’ve taken to support autistic students and staff.   

We’ve been delighted to partner with the IRFU to develop training for coaches who are supporting autistic players. To create our training, we talked to players, family members and coaches from across the country. In this podcast, Cat chats to James and Wendy Vahey, who are both players in Leinster. They chat about the benefits of ruby and the strengths that autistic people can bring to the game.  

 In our latest podcast episode, we chat to two NHS sleep experts, Debbie Spain and Tasos Galanopoulos.  They have a conversation with our host, Cat, to help us better understand the science of sleep and how it might impact autistic people.  

In our latest podcast episode, we chat toNoelle Foley Coughlan, a student who recently graduated from the MA in Autism Studies co-designed by Middletown Centre for Autism and Mary Immaculate College. Noelle focused her research on exploring the many strengths of autistic people of marginalised genders.     To find out more about our graduate courses visit: https://www.mic.ul.ie/faculty-of-educatio...

Ever been fascinated by the realm of autism, particularly in women diagnosed late in life? Strap in for an insightful journey, as we joined by Karen Hayes - a researcher with a freshly minted Master's in Autism Studies who has devoted her time to understanding these unique narratives. Karen unravels captivating stories of 14 participants, sharing their struggles, their reasons for seeking dia...

In our latest podcast episode, we chat to Carmel Rainsford, a student on the MA in Autism Studies co-designed by Middletown Centre for Autism and Mary Immaculate College. Carmel had  studied on the graduate certificate and graduate diploma before she undertook the MA. The MA is focused on creating autism-affirming research. This is the first of our podcasts that will be celebrating the work of som...

On our latest podcast we chat to Amanda McGuinness, the creative mind behind Little Puddins. We talk about advocacy, parenting a child with a different neurotype and the importance of positive autistic representation.      You can find more of Amanda’s work here: https://littlepuddins.ie/    

Returning to school can be an exciting time for many, but for some students it can produce real upset and anxiety. In our latest podcast, we speak to Autism Trainer Advisor, Tara Vernon, about her work supporting young people who find themselves unable to attend school. 

In the latest episode of the podcast, we talk to Sharon and Caolán McCarthy about the many ways that the environment can impact on autistic people. As students return to school, this podcast might help teachers focus on how the classroom environment can support all of their students.     You can find out more about Sharon and Caolán’s new book, “Making Space for Autism” here https://pavpub.com/lea...