'I am special' introducing a young person to their autism, workshop

Approaching Adolescence - the development of essential pivotal skills

Training Workshop

“Approaching adolescence – 

the development of essential pivotal skills"

Presented by Dr. Peter Gerhardt

Saturday 14^th January 2012, 2:00 – 5:00pm

Monkstown Parish Centre, Co. Dublin

Cost: €25.00 per person

This workshop offers a special opportunity to parents and staff who deal with older children and young adults with autism. Places are limited and are available on a first-come basis. Reserve your place by emailing your booking to support@thereddoorschool.com or telephone (01) 633 7532.

Dr. Peter Gerhardt has over 30 years experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis in support of adolescents and adults with ASD in educational, employment, residential, and community-based settings.  Currently, Dr. Gerhardt is the Director of Education – Upper School for the McCarton School in New York City.  He is the author or co-author of articles and book chapters on the needs of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder and he has presented nationally and internationally on this topic.  In addition, Dr. Gerhardt serves as Chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research, on the Editorial Board of Behaviour Analysis in Practice, and on numerous professional advisory boards.   

Monkstown Parish Centre is beside St. Patrick’s Church, Monkstown, Co. Dublin on Carrickbrennan Road. For directions, click here.  

The Red Door is a charity providing services to the autism community. It set up The Red Door School in 2001, and this is now a Special School for children with autism and complex needs. The Red Door also provides training and support to parents through its Parent Support Group. It has hosted International Autism conferences in Dublin in recent years.

For further details, see www.thereddoorschool.com.

Learning Centre for Autistic Children Ltd. t/a The Red Door

 Monkstown Grove, Monkstown Avenue, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Phone: (01) 663 7532 ~ Fax: (01) 663 7498 ~ Email: info@thereddoorschool.com

Company registered in Dublin, No. 350121, Charity Reference CHY 14457

Directors: Martina Boylan, Karen Golden, Adėle McInerney, Dan McInerney, Barry O’Neill, David Quinn

Member of Irish Autism Action, The Wheel, Inclusion Ireland 

Why autism awareness is so important.....

A. is a parent in our Facebook group. She shared this story and kindly agreed that I could post it here. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. We have a lot of work to do!

"My husband was telling me about going out last night.  He went to a pub to listen to some trad music and this young guy came in (about 18-20) and was dancing quite oddly to the music. The band got annoyed at him and was saying that he was on drugs. My husband could clearly see that the boy had autism and was just enjoying the music in the same manner as our son would, almost like he was stimming. Husband told them that it was okay that he wasn't on drugs but to leave him be as he was harming no one. He also mentioned that it may do more harm to the boy than if they leave him be. NO. They had him thrown out. My husband argued that it was wrong, left and will not return. 


People know autism is out there but wouldn't recognize it if it bit them! My heart went out to that poor boy. It just made us think of what discrimination or ignorance our son will run into in his life."

Workshops on ASD and Bullying.

ASD and bullying - workshops

Download application form here.

One day workshop on Anxiety and Self-esteem in Autism Spectrum conditions.

Learning Difficulties on RTE news2day, June 20th

Earlier, this month RTE news2day looked at the difficulties some people face every day when it comes to learning. We spoke to people with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Asperger Syndrome and Down Syndrome.

The news report is here, dated 20th June, called 'Learning Difficulties'.

People with Dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell, despite having good abilities in other areas. It can also affect memory and how people make sense of information. On average, each classroom has three children with dyslexia.

Dyspraxia is a condition that affects body movements and co-ordination. It affects the way the brain makes sense of information and often leads to problems with language and memory. People who have Dyspraxia can also have Dyslexia, ADHD or Aspergers syndrome. On average each classroom might have two children with dyspraxia.

Aspergers Syndrome, like Autism, means people can find it hard to chat and relate to others. People with Aspergers often like routines and may develop a great interest in a particular hobby. About 16,000 people have Aspergers syndrome in Ireland.

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition - something you are born with - caused by an extra chromosome in your body. People with Down syndrome may be smaller than average and have a distinctive look. They are also more likely to have heart conditions or problems with hearing and sight. About 5,000 people in Ireland have Down syndrome.

Click on each title above to see our reports.

For more information you can contact:

Dyslexia Association of Ireland - www.dyslexia.ie

Dyspraxia Association of Ireland - www.dyspraxiaireland.com

Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland - www.aspireireland.ie

Irish Society for Autism - www.autism.ie or

Irish Autism Action - www.autismireland.ie

Down Syndrome Ireland - www.downsyndrome.ie

What is Autism?

What is Autism?

Autistic Spectrum Disorder, or autism, is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects the development of the brain in areas of social interaction and communication and is marked by severe difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with people, in developing language and in using abstract concepts. Characteristics include repetitive and limited patterns of behaviour and obsessive resistance to tiny changes in familiar surroundings or routines.  Autism is often referred to as the ‘hidden’ disability because people who are on the autistic spectrum show no significant physical difference to their peers, rather it is their behaviours that mark them out as different.  The 3 main areas of difficulty for people with autism are referred to as the ‘triad of impairments’

·    Social communication
·    Social interaction
·    Social imagination

Although not included in the triad of impairments, there is a fourth area which has been identified as presenting people with autism with significant difficulties and that is the area of sensory processing.  Sensory processing difficulties are indicated by either a hyper or hypo-sensitivity across any or all of the 5 senses.

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is part of the autistic spectrum and shares some of the same characteristics as autism. Generally people with AS have an IQ within the normal range but may have poor social and communication skills. Common characteristics can be a lack of empathy, little ability to form relationships, one-sided conversations and an intense absorption with a special interest. Sometimes movements can be clumsy and people with AS are oftendescribed as accident prone.

What are the signs that someone may have autistic spectrum disorder?

The first signs of autism usually appear as developmental delays before the age of 3.  Autism is described as a ‘spectrum’ disorder. This means that the symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations and can range from mild to severe. Two children with the same diagnosis can act very differently from one another and have varying skills.

Generally if a child has delayed speech and communication skills, rigid and repetitive routines, difficulty with feeding and toileting and appears to have no concept of danger and/or a very high pain threshold they should be seen by a diagnostic team.  More details can be found on the information sheet Characteristics of autism.

How many people in Ireland have autistic spectrum disorder?

Unfortunately to date there are no statistics for the number of people with autistic spectrum disorder in Ireland.  What we do know is that the numbers of those diagnosed with autism is rising. In a recent briefing the National Autistic Society in the UK confirmed that the condition now affects over half a million people in the UK – that’s 1 in 100¹ and there is no reason to believe that incidence in Ireland is any different. Although it is widely maintained that the increase in incidence can, in part, be attributed to better diagnostic procedures, it is apparent that the condition itself is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide.

What causes autistic spectrum disorder?

Research into autism and genetics has shown autism is genetically pre- determined however research is on-going to determine to what degree environmental ‘triggers’ may be involved in the increase in incidence.  What we do know, in Ireland, is that the number of young children coming into the system each year is significantly greater than in the past and that the demand for services to meet the needs of this special population will continue to grow.

Is there are cure for autistic spectrum disorder?

Autism is a life-long condition and there are no ‘cures’.  However, there are many interventions which can help people with autism develop skills.  Typically speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and educational interventions have helped many people with autism develop their potential.

Can people with autistic spectrum disorder go on to live full and independent lives?

Some people with autistic spectrum disorder, typically those at the milder end of the spectrum or with asperger syndrome will be able to go to 3rd level education or have jobs and live independent lives.  Others need help to do this and options such as supported living or employment are needed.  Others on the spectrum will always need to have full time support but with trained helpers and quality interventions can live a full life.


Characteristics of autism


It is important to understand that no single behaviour is indicative of autism, nor will a child show all the behaviours listed. The significant factor is a pattern of behaviours. Some of the behaviours may be intense whilst others are relatively mild. Some of the behaviours that indicate autism are seen at specific times in a typically developing child. The significant difference in autism is the intensity of the behaviour and the persistence of the behaviour beyond the normal developmental time - frame.


Language/Communication
·    Has flat or limited facial expressions
·    Does not use gestures
·    Rarely initiates conversation
·    Fails to imitate actions or sounds
·    May have little or no speech or may be quite verbal
·    Repeats or echoes words and/or phrases
·    Uses unusual intonation or rhythm
·    Seems not to understand word meanings or understand implied meaning but uses words literally

Social Interaction
·    Spends time alone rather than with others
·    Less responsive to social cues such as eye contact or smiles
·    Seeks social contact in unusual ways
·    Uses an adults hand as a tool

Play
·    Lack of spontaneous or imaginative play
·    Does not imitate others actions
·    Is very attached to certain toys or objects and plays with them in an unusual way
·    Does not play turn-taking games
·    Play is repetitive

Behaviour
·    Is upset by and resists change to routines or environment
·    Drifts aimlessly
·    Exhibits strong and inflexible interests
·    Throws tantrums for no apparent reason
·    May he over/hyperactive or passive

Sensory Impairment
·    Sometimes appears deaf
·    Exhibits panic or pain related to specific sounds
·    Plays with light and reflection
·    Flicks fingers before eyes
·    Pulls away when touched
·    Strongly avoids certain smells, foods, clothes etc
·    Is attracted to certain patterns/textures/odours.
·    May spin, whirl, bang head or torso, bite wrist or hand, bounces or jumps, climbs
·    Exhibits unusual or non response to pain, heat or cold
·    Toileting problems


What can I do if I am concerned about a child?

Many of the above behaviours can be displayed by typically developing children at certain points in their development and the fact that a child may display some of these behaviours does not mean that they have autism.   However, if you have concerns you can arrange for an assessment for your child.  Autism can only be diagnosed by a trained diagnostic team usually comprising a Psychologist or Psychiatrist, a Speech and Language Therapist and an Occupational Therapist, using internationally recognised diagnostic tools.

For more information visit our website www.autismireland.ie

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/irishautism

Irish Autism Action, 41 Newlands, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Phone: 044 93 31609     Fax: 044 93 31609     E-mail: kevin@autismireland.ie     Web: www.autismireland.ie
Patron: Keith Duffy, People of the Year Awards, 2008 Winner