We are delighted to announce that the Aspire Conference 2016 will take place on
Saturday the 22^nd of October 2016 in The Maudlins Hotel Naas from
9.30am-4.30pm.
 

The focus of this event is to bring people with ASD
and their families together with local services in an effort to help
them to create an action plan and link with local support networks.

Speakers on the day will include: 

Frances O’Neill- Autism Trainer/Advisor in Middletown Centre for Autism.

Hi,

I am trying to find a group that meets up in the Leitrim/Longford/Roscommon area for older teenagers and young adults. Just an informal social group where they can be themselves, talk about what helps them, or talk about similar experiences, go out and do activities together.

If there is a group I would love to get in touch. Or if anyone would be interested in getting together.

RTE are currently researching a documentary which concerns young people
with Asperger's who are preparing to do their Leaving Cert this year.

The idea is to to make a documentary which shines a light on the challenges
faced by young people with AS and their families, which this experience
brings. If there are any families who are in this situation and who
would be interested in talking to the production team, please contact
David O'Sullivan on 01 208 2723 or by email at david.osullivan <AT> rte <DOT> ie

Hi my 9 year old boy has become a different boy since last feburary. It escalated in April and he refused to go to school, although I took him everyday. He refused to talk to his peers, play with them or interact in any way. With the changes I took him to see an autistic specialist who assessed and said he might be mild aspergers. 

We were forwarded to a clinical physcologist who now has told me that yes my son is showing full signs of aspergers. He has a very high IQ and has had no problems with learning. My son has melt downs and has stopped associating with his classmates. He has also stopped playing football which was his obsession and still is. 

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

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

 Hi all,  My name is Aoife and I am a postgraduate psychology student in Trinity College. At the moment I am conducting research on the adaptation of families with a child (or children) with autism spectrum disorders, their coping resources and resilience. The project is under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Nixon.

Aspergers Action Galway (AAG) was set up in 2006 as a voluntary parents support group with following aims and objectives:

Advocates for Personal Potential Training Services (APP) was initially established in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal in 2004 to develop a person centred approach to the social and vocational rehabilitation of people who suffered from or have experienced a breakdown in their mental health status.

An expansion of our services in 2006 to Letterkenny, Co Donegal resulted in the successful development/commencement of a programme to assist the needs of adults with aspergers using our person centred approach.

By Simon Baron-Cohen. A version of this article appeared in print on November 10, 2009 of the New York Times.

THE Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the bible of diagnosis in psychiatry, and is used not just by doctors around the world but also by health insurers.

Story source: www.dailymail.co.uk

A few years ago, I opened a new unit at a weekly residential centre for adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Because of my visit, some of their parents had been invited.

Normally, the residents would be collected on a Friday and taken home for the weekend, but because this was midweek, their parents and carers were to leave without them.

Donegal Asperger's Support Group

Asperger's is a condition related to Autism. There is a number of young people with Aspergers in County Donegal and the position is that once they reach 18 there is no statutory support for them.

This group is made up of parents and carers of people with Aspergers and as well as a group where people can share experiences. At present the group are lobbying for improved services for adults in the community.

For further information contact: Mary or Rosaleen, 074 93 85548.

Examining the Experiences and Information Needs of Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Before and After the Diagnosis

On Tue, Feb 12, 2008 at 5:48 PM, Tara wrote:

Dear Parent,

Unstoppable Brilliance

A presentation given by Professor Michael Fitzgerald regarding Asperger Savant, Autistic Intelligence with case studies of Eamon DeValera and William Butler Yeats.

First Annual Hans Asperger Memorial Lecture.
In Association with Committee of International Asperger’s Year.

Trinity College Dublin.
10th April 2006.

See attached presentation.

Roscommon County Youth Theatre takes to the stage with "Understanding Marcus"

AFTER THE success of 'Car Show' last January in Roscommon and again at Boyle Arts Festival in the summer, Roscommon County Youth Theatre returns to Roscommon Arts Centre with a new production, 'Understanding Marcus' by Veronica Coburn.

The performance will take place on 5th and 6th December, 2008, with a special schools show at 12 noon on the Friday and two 8 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday for the general public.