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Failte! Welcome to Rainchild Network

This is a Autism Spectrum Disorder information magazine for families, individuals, teachers and  groups in NorthWest Ireland focussed on Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Mayo, Fermanagh. To use social networking, please register. We hope this website helps to connect people and assists in bridging the information gap between whats needed and whats available.

ElaineMcH's picture

ABA schools change to special school status. Research participants wanted.

Dear ABA tutors & parents,
My name is Elaine Mc Hugh, I studied psychology in NUI Galway and I’m currently taking part in a masters in educational research with the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
I’m now in the process of conducting research which investigates the change of pilot ABA schools in Ireland to special school status. What I am most interested in is your perceptions of the reforms and attitudes towards different types of treatment options. I was wondering if you would be interested in being interviewed as part of this research. I am looking for people who have been directly impacted by these changes. Your personal information (and information about the associated school) will be confidential. 
Please contact me if you are interested in taking part or if you have any questions. 
admin's picture

Parents now "less tolerant of disabled children in same class" (Independent, 20/1/2012)

Parents now "less tolerant of disabled children in same class" (Independent, 20/1/2012)

MORE than one in five people say they would object if a pupil with an intellectual disability or autism was in the same class as their child.

The disturbing statistic marks a growing level of intolerance of these children in the education system.

Just one in 12 said they would object when a similar study was carried out in 2006.

The findings of the survey of attitudes to people with a disability, released yesterday, also reveal almost one in four would not want a pupil with a mental health problem -- like psychiatric illnesses -- in the same class as their child, up from 21pc in 2006.

Just 48pc believe that children with sensory impairments such as deafness should attend the same schools as people with disabilities, down from 58pc in 2006.

Cutbacks
admin's picture

A mother's frustration (Sligo Champion, 23/11/2011)

FULL-TIME ASSISTANT FOR DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN AWAY

IT'S OFTEN said that a mother's love knows no bounds. But for a mother of two children with special needs, life's all the more challenging, so much so that, in the present time, it's a case of having "to beg" for help.

Mothers Fustration, Sligo
admin's picture

PWDI - Autism Awareness Event, Radisson, Athlone - 5/Dec/2011

5 Dec 2011 10:00
5 Dec 2011 13:00
Europe/Dublin

Autism Awareness,Free Information Event

The Radisson Hotel, Athlone

Monday 5th December, 2011, 10:00AM - 1:00PM


There will be a number of guest speakers from various centers in Co. Westmeath. Lunch will be provided, RSVP to pwdiwestmeath@gmail.com or Ring us on (090) 6470044

PWDI_Autism_Awareness_Athlone_5_Dec_2011.jpg
sarah_c_'s picture

SNA Cutbacks 2011

Hi! I'm a final year student doing a research project on the effects of the governmental cutbacks on Special Needs Children and SNAs in Irish primary schools.

Could anybody give me any tips/pointers/personal accounts or opinions? Anything would be very much appreciated!

Thank you

Bernie Dowling's picture

10k Walk in aid of Roscommon Carers - Ballymoe (31/10/2011)

31 Oct 2011 12:30
Europe/Dublin

Dodge city - Round ‘em up (10k walk)

In aid of Roscommon Carers Association

 

10k Walk takes place on Monday 31st Oct 2011 at 1pm

To Register:

Time:  12.30 – 1.00 pm

Where: The lone star hotel (eileen’s), Ballymoe, Co Roscommon.

Fee: €10 Entry

Carers Association Roscommon
admin's picture

Fun Activities for ASD Teens in Monaghan (1/15 Oct, 1/2 Nov 2011)

1 Oct 2011 10:30
2 Nov 2011 15:00
Europe/Dublin

Autism Initiatives would like to invite Teens and Pre-teens with Autism to join us for fun activities and adventures including sports events, day trips and arts and crafts. 

Participants will be supported on a 1:1 basis.

Events will take place from 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Monaghan Harps Complex on following days:

1st & 15th October 2011,
1st & 2nd of November 2011

Booking is essential – contact Nicola or Rebecca on 042 9330252.

ASDI Logo
carol_c_82's picture

Childcare Presentation

Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Carol Chamberlain. I'm a 3rd year Bachelor of Arts (BA) student in Childcare Management  in Athlone Institute of Technology, Westmeath.

I'm currently conducting a research study for my presentation on children with disabilities (3 years) and social inclusion in a Childcare setting paying particular attention to  how the facility has been modified to cater for their needs . I was wondering if you would be willing to help me by filling out a questionnaire?

TAba's picture

ASD research

Dear Parents,

I am still looking for parents of children recently turned 3 years of
age or younger with ASD to participate in a study for an MSc in NUI
Galway. The study involves a short questionnaire on the other issues
apart from ASD that your children may suffer from, eg sleeping and
eating problems. It is the first study of its kind in Ireland.

I would be very grateful for your input - it'll only take around 20 minutes to complete, its
anonymous and I plan to publish the research findings  and present them at
conferences. I need to gather all my research by the end of September 2011.

cbeirne's picture

NEW Sensory Room for Special Needs Children in Mohill Library. 28th/Sept/2011

28 Sep 2011
Europe/Dublin

Leitrim County Council has installed a sensory room for children with special needs in its library in Mohill.  This will provide educational and therapeutic supports for these children in a fun environment.

It is envisaged that when it is open the room will be booked in advance by parents and carers of children with special needs who will accompany them and assist them when using the equipment. There will be no charge for the use of the facilities.

Autism Boy and Bubbles
admin's picture

Good news for Abbey Community College in Boyle - 1/09/2011 (Shannonside FM)

The Abbey Community College in Boyle is being approved to deliver classes in Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
 
It's one of 39 schools nationwide to get the go ahead for the programme, which starts this September.
 
Roscommon based Senator John Kelly who’s welcoming the announcement, says it's important that these classes, which facilitate the education of children with severe autism, are part of the mainstream system, thereby aiding their integration into the wider school community.
 
It is expected that these classes will assist six children with ASD, which will be delivered by a dedicated teacher and two special needs assistants.

Local TD Frank Feighan is also welcoming the announcement.

Source: shannonside.ie, 1st Sept, 2011

Autism Boy and Bubbles
admin's picture

Four Autism Units announced for Galway schools - 1/09/2011 ( GalwayNews.ie)

Specialised facilities for children with autism have been announced for four Galway schools this term.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Units aim to integrate children with severe autism into the wider school community.

These facilities will be provided in Merlin Woods National School in Doughiska, Gort Community School, Archbishop McHale College in Tuam and Gairmscoil Mhuire in Athenry.

The 6 pupil classes are delivered by a dedicated teacher with the support of two special needs assistants.


Source: Galway News, 1st Sept 2011

ASD_hands.jpg
Arlene's picture

Still looking for parents of children and adolescents with ASD

Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Arlene Mannion. I'm a 2nd year Masters of Science (MSc) student in applied behaviour analysis in National University of Ireland, Galway.

I'm currently conducting a research study for my thesis on comorbidity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in Ireland aged 3 to 16 years. I was wondering if you would be willing to help me by filling out a questionnaire?

Please contact if you are interested in helping me with this study, or have any questions about the research. Please include your email address or postal address if you are interested in participating, and I will send you on a questionnaire.
My email address is a.mannion3@nuigalway.ie.

Thanking you,
Arlene Mannion

TAba's picture

Research - children under 3 years

Dear Parents,

I am an MSc student in NUIG and I am looking for parents of children with ASD who are recently turned 3 years of age or younger to take part in research on comorbidity. The study involves a questionnaire on issues your child may have aside from those associated with ASD, like eating or sleeping difficulties.  

cbeirne's picture

RainChild Water Activity Camp Summer 2011

21 Aug 2011 11:00
28 Aug 2011 16:00
Europe/Dublin

Sponsored
by Connacht Gold, Leitrim Development Company and Keadue’s annual pony drive (
Sunday
14/8/11
)

Free for autistic children and a sibling.
Age 6 to 16.

RainChild AIB Better Ireland 2010 Summer Camp, Lough Allen Adventure Center
admin's picture

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Ireland


ABA Ireland was established as a non-profit charitable organisation with following aims:

To provide free ABA information and educational services (such as workshops, parent training/education, information newsletter) to members of the community who would derive benefit, such as parents of typically-developing children with problem behaviour, parents of children with autism, individuals with acquired brain injury. The aim is to help especially those who may not be able to afford fees for a behaviour analyst.

ABA Ireland Logo
admin's picture

Kids Day Out, Kids Kingdom, Carrick-on-Shannon (July 10th, 2011)

10 Jul 2011 15:00
10 Jul 2011 17:00
Europe/Dublin

The next family event is on Sunday July 10th from 3pm to 5pm in Kids Kingdom, Carrick-on-Shannon.

There will be lots to do.

The Centre consists of multiple lanes of ten pin bowling, a unique castle-themed multi-level play centre, a well-equipped arcade, sumo wrestling and a separate pool table area.

Food and drinks will also be served on the day.

Organised by Parents Support Network, Sligo; Please see FLYER below.

PARENTS SUPPORT NETWORK, KIDS DAY OUT, JULY 2011
admin's picture

Carers Association urges carers to join campaign (OceanFM, 7/6/2011)

The Carers Association in Sligo is urging carers across the North West
to join them in the fight for a better life for those in the profession. There are currently over 2400 carers in Sligo.

The organisation has unveiled its "One Voice" Campaign in the wake of
last week's Prime Time Investigates programme, which conducted extensive research into the effects of cuts on family carers.  The programme found that 82 percent of carers have been affected by cutbacks in State services.

Carers Association Ireland Logo
admin's picture

Sports Ability Summer Camp - July 2011 (Cavan/Monaghan)

11 Jul 2011 11:00
20 Jul 2011 13:00
Europe/Dublin

Monaghan Sports Partnership and Cavan Sports Partnership

"Sports Ability" Summer Camp 2011

For Young people with a disability aged 5-14yrs and their siblings

Camp 1: Cavan Leisure Centre, Cavan, Date: 11th, 12th, 13th July 2011

Cavan/Monaghan Sports Ability Camp
carol_c_82's picture

SNA Cutbacks

200 SNAs to be removed from schools. Will know today if my child's school is one! Mr Ruairí Quinn will regret his decision.  What a U-turn!!

LornaF's picture

Early Intervention Research - Searching for parents and tutors to complete a questionnaire!

Hi, my name is Lorna Flynn and I'm looking for parents/tutors involved in early intervention home programs for my research study which is part of my masters. If you wish to take part please click the relevant link below - there are two separate questionnaires (one for parents and one for tutors). I would really appreciate if any one who thinks they fall into my criteria could complete a questionnaire. Thanks!

Tutor Questionnaire

Questions and Answers
admin's picture

Volunteers Needed - Sligo Surf Camp - July 2011

26 Jul 2011 10:30
Europe/Dublin

Volunteers Needed For



SLIGO SURF CAMP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AUTISM, 2011


Where:Streedagh, Co. Sligo

When: Tuesday 26th –  Friday 29th July 2011         

Sligo Surf-2-Heal 2011
Arlene's picture

Student looking for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders for research study

Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Arlene Mannion. I'm a 2nd year Masters of Science (MSc)  student in applied behaviour analysis in National University of Ireland,  Galway.
I'm currently conducting a research study  for my thesis on comorbidity in children  with autism spectrum disorders in Ireland. I was wondering  if you would be  able to help me by filling out a questionnaire?
I've attached an participant information sheet to find out more. Please contact me if you are interested in helping me with this study, or have any questions about the research.
Thanking you,
Arlene Mannion

Questions and Answers
admin's picture

Sligo Parents Support Network, Family Fun Day, Sat 18th June 2011

18 Jun 2011 14:30
Europe/Dublin

Sligo Parents Support Network

 

Family Fun Day

 

Date: Saturday 18th June 2011

 

Autism Boy and Bubbles
Bernie Dowling's picture

Carers Association Roscommon, Barbecque June 12th 2011/ DayTrip June 19th 2011

12 Jun 2011 14:00
12 Jun 2011 17:00
Europe/Dublin

The Carers Association Roscommon has organized two Social Events for Carers Week, 12th-19th June 2011

 

Carers Association Roscommon