The Middletown Centre for Autism Podcast
The Middletown Podcast features interviews with leading thinkers and practitioners across the autistic and autism community. Conversations are autism-affirming and neurodiversity-informed with a focus on the lived experience and knowledge of our community. Episodes highlight issues impacting autistic people and we share ideas for family members and school staff who are providing support.
Episodes
104 episodes
Susan Madigan, OT: Starting University As An Autistic Student
In the first of two back-to-university episodes, we chat to Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Susan Madigan. Susan has years of experience working with autistic students in universities. In this episode we discuss the challenges and m...
.png)
Oisin - Advocating for Non-Speaking Autistic People
In this episode we share time with Oisin, a young autistic advocate who is working to improve the education system for all autistic people. Oisin is non-speaking, so Noel, Oisin’s carer, read the answers that Oisin wrote to our questions.
Educator Burnout with Deirdre O'Shea
We talk with Deirdre O’Shea about educator burnout and why so many teachers are running on empty while being asked to deliver major change. We explore how space, compassion, and neuroaffirming practice can protect both staff wellbeing and autis...
Understanding Autistic Play And Break Times with Jenny Gibson
Break time can look like freedom from the outside, but for many autistic students it can feel like the most demanding part of the day: unstructured social rules, sensory overload, and nowhere obvious to recharge or recover. In this episode, we'...
The SPACE Framework For Education with Aoife Munroe and Elaine McGoldrick
In the latest episode of the Middletown Podcast, we chat to Elaine McGoldrick and Aoife Munroe about how they have adapted the SPACE Framework for an education setting. The framework is a neuroaffirming guide for professionals that are supporti...
Understanding Consent and Sex Education with Niamh Mellerick
In the latest episode of the Middletown Podcast we chat to Niamh Mellerick from AsIAm about their recent report focusing on consent and sex education in Ireland. They collaborated with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the Royal College of Surg...
A Guide to Healthy Relationships for Autistic People with Dr Amy Pearson
In the latest episode of the Middletown Podcast, we chat to Dr Amy Pearson about her research on autistic people’s experiences of relationships. She and her team at Durham University created a guide to help autistic people recognise healthy and...
Sexual Wellbeing for Autistic People – Dr Jeroen Dewinter
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat about sexual wellbeing for autistic people. Dr Jeroen Dewinter shares his research on community perspectives to better understand and support sexual wellbeing. In this episode we mention th...
Understanding Autistic Flow with Dr Brett Heasman
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to Dr Brett Heasman about his research into Autistic Flow. He explains how it can be a helpful model for understanding autistic experience and how beneficial flow states can be for wellbeing. ...
Autism Advocate-Niamh Biddulph
In latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to autistic advocate Niamh Biddulph. Niamh has been an advocate for many issues faced by the community, including inclusive employment. We talk about how she’s navigated anxiety to achieve so much. &n...
Christmas with Amanda McGuinness
On the latest Middletown Podcast chat to autistic parent and advocate, Amanda McGuinness. We talk about Christmas and how Amanda and her family navigate pressure, excitement and expectations around the holiday season. We try very hard not to sp...
Neuroconvergence with Jody O’Neill
On the Middletown Podcast we chat to playwright, accessibility consultant and community activist, Jody O’Neill. She discusses Neuroconvergence, a new initiative that is building community and celebrating autistic creativity. ...
Creating a Neuro-affirming Classroom with Dr Kara Dymond
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to autistic teacher, lecturer and author Dr Kara Dymond. Kara is passionate about creating truly inclusive classrooms and she shares her experience and her philosophy around teaching. We also discuss Ka...
Students’ Experiences of Bullying – Sinead McNally
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to researcher, Dr Sinead McNally about recent DCU research focused on the experiences that young, Irish autistic people have of bullying. We talk about how the team supported young people to feel comfor...
Understanding PDA with Sorcha Rice
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to Occupational Therapist, Sorcha Rice. Sorcha brings her expertise and lived experience to discuss PDA (Persistent Drive for Autonomy). We discuss what PDA feels like and what supports might be useful ...
Alternatives to Social Skills Training with Gráinne Warren
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to play therapist Gráinne Warren about building authentic connections rather than “training” social skills. Gráinne brings years of practice, research and lived experience to her work, and she has creat...
Someone Like Me with Clem Bastow and Jo Case
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to Australian authors Clem Bastow and Jo Case about “Someone Like Me”, a new anthology of autistic writing that they have edited. We talk about how the book came about and the importance of real represe...
Autism-friendly Festivals & Events with Adam O’Brien
Festival season may be coming to an end for this year, but in the latest episode of the podcast we’re thinking about how festivals and events can be made more comfortable for autistic people. We’re joined by event inclusion expert, Adam O’Brien...
Understanding Assistive Technology & AAC with CJay Smith
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to CJay Smith, Assistive Technology and Communication Specialist with Neurodiversity Ireland. CJay brings their expertise and lived experience to share their knowledge on the benefits of technology and ...
Autism Europe Congress with Adam Harris
In the latest Middletown Podcast, Adam Harris joins us to chat about the upcoming Autism Europe Congress. Adam and Cat are both involved in organising the Congress, and they discuss why hosting the Congress in Ireland is important, what they’re...
Allie Mason – Fun and Adventure!
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we speak to Allie Mason – author, advocate and adventurer! Allie has written a book, “The Autistic Guide to Adventure”. Her book is designed to support autistic folk of all ages to take part in new activities a...
Nessa Hill - Neurodiversity Ireland
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat with Nessa Hill from Neurodiversity Ireland. We talk about the importance of practical autism-affirming supports and the positive impact that a neurodiversity-informed approach can have for everyone. Ne...
Monotropism with Joan McDonald
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we speak to Joan McDonald, autism advocate, consultant, specialist teacher and trainer. Joan has a wealth of knowledge on many topics, but for this episode we’re chatting about Monotropism. Joan shares a practi...
