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FREE RESOURCE*

How does it work? - Students enter a word and 'Visuwords' links it to related words in a colourful mind-map style.

Good for; building vocab and comprehension

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Dyspraxia DCD Ireland uses cookies to give you the best experience on our websites.

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‘I could sit there working till 4am’: Can having ADHD at school be an asset?

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‘I could sit there working till 4am’: Can having ADHD at school be an asset?

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https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2022/11/29/i-could-sit-there-working-till-4am-can-having-adhd-at-school-be-an-asset/

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All across the world, the number of adults being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is surging. It's happening in Ireland too, at the same time as ADHD is now being spotted in children, where it may have been missed in the past.

Melanie May is one of them. She was diagnosed with ADHD when she was in her 20s.

"I had difficulty regulating my emotions, which is a sign of ADHD," she says. "A couple of years back, I had an article due the next day which I only started in the evening, as I could not get myself to sit down at the computer. I'm freelance and find it can be hard to organise my time when working to deadline, but I am so organised in every other way."

Focus can be a problem for people with ADHD but, on the flip side, they can also become hyper-focused, and May says that when she gets to work on a project, she can achieve great results.

"I could sit there working till 4am, like a honey badger or Tasmanian devil. I don't stop and never get tired, I am obsessed with learning for another master's [degree]. I constantly look for new things and I don't fear change, I embrace it. If I go on holiday, I see and do everything, I am a ball of energy."

May's embrace of change means that she has worked as a travel journalist and food writer, trained as a school teacher, is a sailing and windsurfing instructor, qualified open water diver and has an orange belt in kickboxing.

Many people with ADHD have so-called "co-morbidities", where the condition occurs alongside other neurodiversity. May, for instance, is also dyslexic but says that spelling and grammar tools have been valuable to her as a writer and that dyslexia has helped her with creative writing, as she connects different phrases and concepts and picks up details that may otherwise be missed.

Colm McNamee, community initiatives senior associate at Salesforce, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2013 and has been on medication for it since last year. He says it has helped him with concentration.

McNamee is autistic, dyslexic and may also have dyspraxia. Many adults whose neurodiversity was never correctly identified in school were often written off as "stupid" "troublesome" or "bold", and this was the case for McNamee, but he's now been confirmed as intellectually gifted; this trajectory is not uncommon among adults and children with ADHD.

McNamee says the education system failed him in his formative years, although he has since undertaken a number of degrees.

"In school, I was refused reasonable accommodations because I 'wasn't bad enough'. When I did get support, I didn't need extra time, I just needed a mechanism to get my thoughts and ideas out of my head and on to the paper. We are all different types of learners, and what we need is individualised learning set-ups for every child in the system, powered by artificial intelligence.

"I am doing well in Salesforce and have a lot to contribute, and so do other people with ADHD and other neurodiversities. The education system tries to bring everyone to the middle, including the most intelligent people."

McNamee points out that teachers receive minimal training in supporting children with ADHD, despite making up at least 5 per cent of every classroom.

Once ADHD is identified and diagnosed, it is a condition that can bring challenges and opportunities.

Simply getting a diagnosis, however, can be a challenge in itself. The Irish Times is aware of several cases where parents are paying more than €500 for two consultations, a cost that excludes the price of medication. Even where parents are able to pay for a private consultation, there are long waiting lists. One seven-year-old boy with complex needs, referred for a consultation last April, was waiting nearly eight months for an appointment.

Parents and advocacy groups report particular difficulties securing an appointment with a psychiatrist, which is important in order to secure the medication that helps manage some of the more challenging symptoms of ADHD.

"At the moment, referrals go through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs), and we have a list of clinicians who can do assessments for children," says Ken Kilbride, chief executive of ADHD Ireland.

"This list normally includes psychiatrists but, at the moment, it only includes psychologists. We don't know of psychiatrists who are taking on new children for assessment and treatment."

While this does not necessarily mean that there are no psychiatrists offering assessments and treatment in Ireland, it indicates that they are, at least, relatively thin on the ground. Because psychologists cannot prescribe medication, parents who decide medication should be part of their child's treatment, are often at a loss and have no choice but to join Camhs waiting lists, which can be up to two years long, depending on the part of the country.

"That's two years of schooling that has not been optimised for a child," says Kilbride.

Parents are often left scrambling for information, and most say that nothing comes easy. "It's a fight from day one," says one, and it's a sentiment widely echoed.

Some are turning to telemedicine, and some admit to buying medication online. Some GPs will prescribe ADHD medication but, says Kilbride, many are reluctant to do so without instruction from the patient's psychiatrist. ADHD Ireland is in talks with the Irish Council of General Practitioners

McNamee, meanwhile, urges parents "not to mourn the child you were expecting, but to embrace the child you were given and not to build any shame into them. Neurodiversity is like biodiversity, and if we had just one crop over the whole ecosystem, we'd have famine."

May says that she has learned more about ADHD in recent years and it has helped her to understand herself and how she may have interacted with some people.

"ADHD and dyslexia are not necessarily disabilities or advantages: children need to know that their brain may just take a different, more scenic route to an answer. I 'm not even sure if I like the term 'neurodiverse', as it makes you feel a bit different."

What is ADHD, exactly?

For starters, it is a genetic and long-term condition that can affect learning and behaviour. It can take multiple forms but, in children, usually manifests in either problems paying attention, distractibility and short-term memory issues, or impulsivity and difficulties in self-monitoring behaviour.

But it often manifests in a combination of these behaviours, and it is sometimes easier to spot in boys than girls; this is because boys are somewhat more likely to act out, whereas girls are somewhat more likely to internalise, making them seem like a daydreamer.

It is estimated that it affects between 100,000-150,000 adults in Ireland. It can also pose challenges; worryingly, research carried out by UCD, the HSE and ADHD Ireland show that one in five adults with ADHD has attempted to take their own lives in the past.

ADHD fits under the umbrella of neurodiversity which also includes autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette's syndrome and more. Indeed, ADHD often occurs alongside other neurodiversity.

ADHD, like most ways of thinking, has costs and benefits, and people with the condition - particularly where it occurs alongside autism - can have hyperfocus and work more efficiently when they are interested in what they're working on.

They're also quite resilient due to the challenges of processing the world around them, are more likely to be great conversationalists, and are renowned as great problem-solvers and creative thinkers.

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'I could sit there working till 4am': Can having ADHD at school be an asset?

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All across the world, the number of adults being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is surging. It's happening in Ireland too, at the same time as ADHD is now being spotted in children, where it may have been missed in the past. Melanie May is one of them.

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https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/e3842-epsen-review-consultation/

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The purpose of this review is to provide assurance that the law that governs the provision of education for children with special educational needs is adequate. This is important, in order to protect the interests of the children concerned and their families, and to ensure that the State can make plans to provide for appropriate education for children with special educational needs.

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Sign up for a free account and spend 20 minutes a day learning English through playing games. The app will track your progress. Also visit the website.

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Duolingo is the world's most popular way to learn a language. It's 100% free, fun and science-based. Practice online on duolingo.com or on the apps!

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Dyslexia Association of Ireland Study Skills Webinars  

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Dyslexia Association of Ireland Study Skills Webinars  

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The DAI have uploaded webinars onto Youtube at this link. They include:

6 webinars on Study Skills with very practical advice for students with dyslexia.

Self Esteem and Well Being in our Young People with Dyslexia.

Transition to Secondary School.

Preparing and Writing assignments.

Webinars on aspects of Assistive Technology such as the C PEN Reader Pen, Text to Speech, Speech to text, My Study Bar, etc.

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Every Thursday morning 10am to 12pm

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Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12pm!

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Welcome to Virginia College

WELCOME TO VIRGINIA COLLEGE

Tús Feasa Fiafraí

Faithful to our motto, Virginia College is committed to providing quality teaching in a safe and positive learning environment. Whilst fostering academic and personal achievement, we aim to nurture an educational community of informed, responsible and caring for an ever-changing world.

DECLARATIONS FROM PAST STUDENTS

"Some of the happiest memories I am lucky to have come from my 6 years spent at Virginia College. It is here that my friendships flourished, my confidence grew and my education advanced."

- Niamh Sheridan

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Virginia College was founded in 1962. The school has grown rapidly over the years and has a present enrolment of 740 students.

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https://www.nala.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Better-handwriting-for-adults.pdf

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#TalkListenLearn: Supporting Teens Online (Online Webinar for Parents)

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#TalkListenLearn: Supporting Teens Online (Online Webinar for Parents)

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Please find attached details of a webinar for parents of teens which is being organised by PDST on 15th February at 7pm.

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Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: #TalkListenLearn: Supporting Teens Online (Online Safety Webinar for Parents). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

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Webwise; the Irish internet safety awareness centre is delighted to host the Talk, Listen, Learn Online Safety Webinar for parents of teens. Joining us will be Dr. Colman Noctor (Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist;) to discuss the opportunities and risks for teens online, offer pr…

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https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/difficult-conversations-talking-to-your-teens-tickets-251834302177

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Children with reading issues may have hearing loss | Chime

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Chime is a unique organisation in the Deaf sector. Chime provides a range of services to over 32,500 Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and their families annually. It also has a wider impact on the lives of all Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Ireland through advocacy and campaigning for improved he…

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NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss

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Working for People with Sight Loss

From birth through to 3 rd level students, NCBI Children and Young Person's services supports the development and independence of all children who are blind or vision impaired.

Cookie Consent

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.

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Working for People with Sight Loss From birth through to 3 rd level students, NCBI Children and Young Person's services supports the development and independence of all children who are blind or vision impaired. Cookie Consent We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.

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https://ncse.ie/visiting-teachers

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L1LP/L2LP Team produce newsletters each season. Some excellent information! https://www.jct.ie/l2lp/news_events

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Reading Progress in Microsoft Teams to improve student reading fluency 

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Reading Progress in Microsoft Teams to improve student reading fluency 

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Reading Progress is a free tool designed to support educators in creating personalized reading experiences that build confidence and reading fluency in their students. Built into Assignments in Teams, Reading Progress passages are easy to create and differentiate for impactful instruction.

Reading Progress is free and built-in to Microsoft Teams Assignments and works on all platforms, including Desktop, Mac, web, iOS and Android.  Educators upload a single reading fluency passage or differentiate for their class’ many levels. Students read their passages out loud, creating a recording teachers can access and review at their convenience.   Creating recordings allows educators to check students’ progress more regularly while also freeing up time for active instruction. By empowering students to complete their reading fluency assignments regularly and independently, Reading Progress keeps the focus on practice and growth, not performing under pressure.

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OAKA - Additional Science Revision packs  

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OAKA - Additional Science Revision packs  

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Bambi Gardiner and her husband set up Oaka Books because there were no text books that their dyslexic daughter could work with. Written by experienced science teachers and SEN experts, they are perfect for visual learners; designed for dyslexics (complete with phonetic spellings and packed with illustrations) but are effective for all pupils. Topic packs include a topic booklet, workbook and Q&A cards for effective active learning.

The revision packs cover Science, Geography and French.

They have just published more revision packs.  Topics in Science now are:

·         Cell Biology

·         Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

·         Rates of Reaction

·         Enzymes

·         Osmosis

·         Kidney functions

·         Chemical Analysis

·         Electrolytic Processes

·         Electroplating and Purifying with Electrolysis

·         Writing word Equations

·         The Periodic Table

·         Preparing insoluble Salts

·         Momentum and Collisions

·         Thermal Energy Processes

·         Chemical Titration

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How does the oaka system work?

The Oaka System helps visual learners retain focus and interest. There are three methods of learning in each topic pack that help to increase the long term memory recall needed for exams as well as presenting information in a clear and easy to understand format.

Our topic based revision packs have been produced following guidelines from the British Dyslexia Association.

In 2015, our entire CE/KS3 range was shortlisted for the Education Resource Award and we now supply over 520 schools in the UK and abroad as well as thousands of home educating families.

Our Geography, History and French Topic Packs are now all endorsed by ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).

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Revision Packs For Visual Learners - Oaka Books

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How does the oaka system work? The Oaka System helps visual learners retain focus and interest. There are three methods of learning in each topic pack that help to increase the long term memory recall needed for exams as well as presenting information in a clear and easy to understand format.

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Sign up for alerts from The Irish Times

Just click on "Allow Notifications" on the message appearing on your browser to activate them.

We will send you a quick reminder in the future, in case you change your mind.

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Brianna Parkins: What it's really like to have ADHD, by a woman with ADHD

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Sign up for alerts from The Irish Times Just click on "Allow Notifications" on the message appearing on your browser to activate them. We will send you a quick reminder in the future, in case you change your mind.

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https://downsyndrome.ie/theupside/

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The Life Skills Resource is Middletown Centre for Autism’s fifth online resource. It is designed to support children and young people with autism, their parents, family members and carers, as well as professionals. The resource aims to assist in developing and supporting the child and young person w…

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Cavan County Council Library Services - BorrowBox

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TTRS, (Touch type, Read, Spell), is now available free from libraries. Once students are registered with a library, they can use TTRS at home or in school.

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Transparent Language Online provides a fun, effective, and engaging experience for learners of all levels looking to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a foreign language. Combining extensive courses and supplemental resources for 100+ languages, including English, Transparent Language Online is the most complete language-learning system.

NOTICE: Changes to Access

From 1.30 pm on Tuesday, May 18th access to Transparent Language Online will be moving to direct Transparent Language Online access and will no longer be available through RBdigital but will be available directly through the link below.

If you have an existing Transparent Language Online account you should use the same email address that you used to access RBdigital, but you will need to do a "password reset" in Transparent Language Online to access your account.

To use this resource you will need to create an account. Follow the steps below to get started.

Click on Sign Up to create an account.

You will need your library card number to complete your registration.

Once you have created an account you can then download the mobile app from the App Store, from Google Play and from the Amazon store and learn on the go. You will need an internet connection to use the app.

You can log in to the app using the username and password that you used when creating your account.

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Online Library Services - Cavan County Libraries

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Transparent Language Online provides a fun, effective, and engaging experience for learners of all levels looking to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a foreign language. Combining extensive courses and supplemental resources for 100+ languages, including English, Transparent Language Online is the most complete language-learning system.

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The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. This site will give you all the information you need to make an application.

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A higher education scheme for Leaving Certificate students whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

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Enable Ireland - Vocabulary Home Programme - Video Tutorial 22 May 2020 SM

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Growing Up with a Disability - Conor McAuley

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Growing Up with a Disability - Conor McAuley

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https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22049613/

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20-year-old Conor McAuley was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was three years old. Now he's a big supporter of the IWA's Creative Youth for Disability Programme, who were benefiters of the Toy Show Fund. He spoke to Ryan about the scheme and the important work it does for so many young people. For more information, visit iwa.ie

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Growing Up with a Disability - Conor McAuley

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20-year-old Conor McAuley was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was three years old. Now he's a big supporter of the IWA's Creative Youth for Disability Programme, who were benefiters of the Toy Show Fund. He spoke to Ryan about the scheme and the important work it does for so many young people.

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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc8MfsVZSUujr823Rbz0XImNOsBWyUZVD

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Supporting Your Child's Non-Verbal Communication Skills

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If your child is developing their early communication skills such as pointing, using gestures, using body language or are using Alternative and Augmentative ...

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Brilliant podcast at the bottom of this page!

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Dyslexia Association Ireland | Supporting Children & Adults with Dyslexia

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Our vision is a dyslexia friendly society. Where everyone with dyslexia is enabled to fulfil their potential.

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Loads of resources here!

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Contact Email 1+ (313) 300-1901 Is it a Learning Disability? Dyscalculia Checklist Learning Disabilities Checklist Expert Diagnosis Learning Disabilities Hub

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Highly capable and twice exceptional students require access to materials that meet their learning goals, and sometimes these goals differ from the general education class. Sometimes these students also qualify for services because they have evidence of one or more disabilities in addition to being highly capable.

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Understanding and utilizing tools and apps to help manage the day and increase access will not only help students every day, but parents as well.

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National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Guidelines, Tips and Handouts for Parents and Teachers

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NEPS have produced some very useful guidelines, hand-outs and tips for teachers and parents on a series of topics. Read more about the work of NEPS

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National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Guidelines, Tips and Handouts for Parents and Teachers

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NEPS have produced some very useful guidelines, hand-outs and tips for teachers and parents on a series of topics. Read more about the work of NEPS

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National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Guidelines, Tips and Handouts for Parents and Teachers

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NEPS have produced some very useful guidelines, hand-outs and tips for teachers and parents on a series of topics. Read more about the work of NEPS

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Resources for teachers and students; worksheets, quizzes, notes and other online resources. Most suitable for older students at levels from intermediate to advanced, although some resources are suitable for younger learners and lower levels. Try one of the quizzes!

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ELTbase is a database of resources for teachers and students of English as a second or foreign language. English language worksheets, quizzes, notes and other online resources are indexed by language point and linked to leading course books. The emphasis is on adult / young adult learners at levels from intermediate to advanced, although some resources are suitable for younger learners and lower levels.

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Resources for English teachers and students of English | ELTbase

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ELTbase is a database of resources for teachers and students of English as a second or foreign language. English language worksheets , quizzes , notes and other online resources are indexed by language point and linked to leading course books.

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Virginia College is part of the Autism Friendly School Campaign

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2023 will no doubt provide us with a variety of challenges on all different levels. Irrespective of the year challenges remain for all members of the Autism Community our advocates and supporters as we strive to ensure that all autistic people get the SAME CHANCE in life!

So, for 2023 Take on the 20 for 23 Challenge this year for AsIAm.

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Welcome to AsIAm. We are Ireland's National Autism Charity. How can we help you? Lets get you to the right place