Cavan & Monaghan Parent Support
Welcome
If you haven’t heard of us already then you can read more about us below but we are an Irish training provider. All of our team are Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent. We provide training to professionals, educators, organisations and to families.
Our mission is to create a neuro-affirmative world by changing society and not Autistic people because we are perfect as we are!
An AUsome Story: Putting Autistic People at the Heart of Autism Training
Our story began in 2014 with a mission to create Autistic-led neurodiversity training designed and delivered by Autistic people. We recognized the need for Autistic-led training that would educate people on the realities of being Autistic and dispel the harmful myths and stigmas that surround our existence. Autistic people have long been shrouded in misunderstanding, and we are here to bridge that gap in understanding and remove the stigma.
Autistic-led Autism Training: Shaping a Better Narrative
At AUsome Training, we are proud to be an Autistic-led organization. Our dedicated team of Autistic professionals is passionate about creating a better world and rewriting the story for Autistic people of all ages. In addition to our comprehensive training programs, we have organized numerous events over the past number of years to raise positivity and genuine awareness. These events have featured and elevated Autistic voices, reaching thousands of parents, teachers, employers, therapists, and other professionals.
Making History: Ireland’s First All-Autistic Conference
One of the significant milestones in our journey occurred in 2019 when we hosted Ireland’s first-ever All-Autistic Conference in Cork. It was a groundbreaking event as it was the first time an autism conference featured exclusively Autistic presenters. We welcomed speakers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland, attracting an audience of 350 people and engaging another 5,000 online viewers. This conference marked an essential turning point in promoting progressive thinking and understanding of Neurodiversity.
And we did it all again in 2024 with Minding Autistic Minds Conference in Naas, Co. Kildare
Your 2 options for support
We are really delighted to work with HSE to offer you much needed support.
We have 2 different online options for you.
You can watch the video below which will explain the 2 options to you in more detail or you can click to read more.
Option 1 is Cothú – which is a 5 week program that you’ll need to attend online for about 2 hours each week, at the same time for 5 weeks. If you opt for this option we’ll give you some options for course days and times. For example we will offer it at weekends, on weekday mornings and also at evenings so that you can attend at a time that suits your schedule. Cothú is an affirming course which offers you an insight into Autistic experiences from the Autistic viewpoint.
It is full of practical tools, exercises and opportunities for growth.
As parents, we know family life is busy, so we make it easy for you, with simple but powerful ideas to make everyday changes with great results.
This 5-week program will help you understand your child from an Autistic perspective, deepen your connection, and improve your WHOLE family’s wellbeing.
During our program, you will get the chance to connect with other parents who are in the same boat. Cothú provides a welcoming space where you can share your own experience and learn from each other in a respectful, non-judgmental way.
Option 2 is Annual Membership – this isn’t a live option. This will give you immediate access to 9 courses which you can do in your own time. You have a whole year’s access so you can fit them in around your schedule. You can pause, replay and rewind. Learn at your own pace.
The courses are on different topics such as sensory processing, meltdowns, social skills, anxiety, parenting, play and choosing therapies. You will also get access to 12 monthly live events which will be interesting webinars with guest speakers on more topics and Q&A sessions. This membership has been carefully crafted to meet the needs of parents.
Sharon Powell got in touch with us after attending Cothú through her local HSE team
You can watch her video here
Once you respond to your local HSE team’s letter they will give us your details and we will be in touch with information on how you can book in for Cothú or access the Membership package.
What can I do in the meantime?
We know you’ve been waiting and that wait is nearly over. You may be wondering what you can do while you wait.
We have some helpful recommendations here for you
Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children by Dr. Luke Beardon
Autism in Childhood by Dr. Luke Beardon
Creating Safe Spaces by Scott Neilson & Laura Hellfeld (mainly for clubs etc.)
Speechless by Fiachra Ryan
It’s an Autism Thing I’ll Help You Understand It by Emma Dalmayne
Sincerely, Your Autistic Child by Emily Paige Ballou
I Will Die On This Hill by Meghan Ashburn & Jules Edwards
Missing the Mark by Elisa Fricker
Supporting Children and Young People Through Autistic Burnout by Viv Dawes
Brain-Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke
Hashtags to follow
#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics #Neuroaffirming
#Autisticrights #AutisticSpeaking #BanABA
Accounts worth following on Twitter
@AnnMemmott @ausomeireland @kieranarose
@elainemcgreevy @NeuroPrideIRL @therapist_ndc
Facebook Pages to follow
AUsome Training
Autistic Not Weird
Neuropride Ireland
Life Through My Lens
Autistic and Living the Dream
Supporting the Rise of Travellers who are Autistic (Autistic Travellers)
Autistic on Wheels (Autistic wheelchair user)
https://ausometraining.com (Irish-based)
https://theautisticadvocate.com (UK-based, superb resources)
https://infinitediversity.home.blog (Irish-based)
https://www.neuropride.ie (Irish-based, Neuro Pride Ireland resources & events)
https://prodeste.pl (Polish-based, resources in Polish and Ukrainian)
https://www.adultautism.ie (Irish-based, all ages diagnosis & support)
https://autisminformedtherapy.com (Irish-based, 18+)
https://www.horizonstherapy.ie (Irish-based)
https://franklludwig.com (Irish-based)
https://www.kristyforbes.com.au (v. good on PDA and parenting)
https://communicationfirst.org (USA-based, resources for non-speaking kids)
https://neuroclastic.com (excellent neurodiversity resources)
