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
78 episodes
Steven Murray – Storytelling and Representation
In the latest Middletown Podcast, we speak to Steven Murray - creative, storyteller and Engagement Officer with Aspire Ireland. We discuss his journey through education, his creative life and how he feels about autism representation. &nbs...
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33:46
Aimee Barrett-Theron – Rugby Referee and Professional Athlete
In this episode, we’re delighted to chat to professional athlete and Rugby Referee, Aimee Barrett-Theron. Aimee represented South Africa in the Rugby World Cup before becoming an International referee. We discuss the positives that being autist...
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31:17
Listening to the voices of autistic students with Dr Finbar Horgan
To understand student needs, it’s essential that we give space for autistic students to share their experiences. On the latest podcast, Dr Finbar Horgan talks about his research, which gave space to the student voice.
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55:45
Being Autistic with Niamh Garvey
It can be difficult for parents to know how to best support their child as they explore their autistic identity. In this podcast, we chat to autistic author Niamh Garvey about her new book focused on children as they learn what being autistic m...
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31:58
Understanding Autistic Communication with Gemma Williams
For a long time, our understanding of autistic communication was based on assumptions made by non-autistic researchers. In this podcast, we chat to autistic researcher, Gemma Williams about her neurodiversity-affirming approach to communication...
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36:24
Universal Design for Learning with Zarah Doyle
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to supportive learning that is growing in prominence. In our latest podcast we chat to Zarah Doyle, Training and Accreditation Manager with AsIAm. Zarah is an expert in the theory and practice ...
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43:21
Double Empathy with Dr Damian Milton
Double Empathy is a theory that many believe is central to understanding autistic experience. In this episode we chat to Dr Damian Milton, the autistic researcher and theorist who developed the theory. We discuss what Double Empathy means for o...
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48:32
Adaptive Teaching with Dr Jo Fitzsimons
Ahead of our Differentiation masterclass on the 15th, we chatted to Dr Jo Fitzsimons about adaptive teaching and the small changes that can have a huge impact in the classroom. To find out more about Jo’s Masterclass visit:
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35:16
Understanding Tourettes Syndrome with Jess Thom
We know that autistic people are more likely to have Tourettes Syndrome or tic conditions. In our latest podcast, we chat to comedian, playwright and author, Jess Thom aka TourettesHero. She talks about her experience living with Tourettes Synd...
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33:35
Understanding ADHD with Ken Kilbride from ADHD Ireland
Research suggests that between 50 and 70% of autistic people may also have ADHD. On our latest podcast we chat to Ken Kilbride, CEO of ADHD Ireland to learn more about life with ADHD. For more information on ADHD Ireland, please vis...
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33:16
Eve McIvor-Makaton Master
Non-speaking Awareness Day falls next week. On the podcast, we’re celebrating a young woman who is using Makaton to support young people who speak few or no words. Eve McIvor has Down Syndrome and is autistic. She’s also a Makaton Master bringi...
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11:22
Understanding Trauma with Deirdre O’Shea
Trauma is a serious but important topic. In this episode, we’re joined by Specialist Teacher, Deirdre O’Shea who explains what trauma is, how it may impact autistic people and how we can support someone through trauma. For more inf...
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53:50
Dr Mary Doherty- Healthcare
It looks like there was a glitch in our podcast with Dr Mary Doherty. For anyone who couldn't access it, here is the full version-In this episode, we chat to autistic health professional and researcher, Dr Mary Doherty. Mary has driven ...
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51:52
Animals & Nature with Becca Lory Hector
Animals & Nature with Becca Lory HectorMany autistic people feel particularly comfortable around animals and nature. In this podcast we speak to autistic author, researcher and advocate, Becca Lory Hector about her relationship with ani...
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39:05
Podcast: Monotropism with Fergus Murray
The theory of Monotropism focuses on how autistic people allocate their attention. Autistic theorist, Fergus Murray joins us on the latest podcast episode to discuss how the theory, which was developed by autistic people, may explain much of au...
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47:01
Autism and Hypermobility with Dr Jessica Eccles
In this episode, we’re learning more about the link between autism and physical health conditions. Dr Jessica Eccles, joins the podcast to discuss hypermobility: when someone has very flexible joints that can often cause pain. You c...
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26:44
Pain in Autistic Children and Young People with Bethany Donaghy
In this episode, we’re joined by Bethany Donaghy, an autistic researcher focused on understanding the experience of pain in autistic young people. She talks about the importance of challenging assumptions so we can better understand autistic ch...
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30:57
Understanding PDA with Dr Alison Doyle
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Alison Doyle - an educational psychologist, researcher and practitioner who has spent years supporting neurodivergent people. We discuss Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), why people may relate to it, how t...
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49:17
DCU’s autism-friendly initiative with Fiona Earley
As the Leaving cert approaches, lots of young people might also be thinking about university life. In this podcast we chat to Fiona Earley about Dublin City University’s autism-friendly initiative to find out about the steps that they’ve taken ...
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25:05
Rugby with James and Wendy Vahey
We’ve been delighted to partner with the IRFU to develop training for coaches who are supporting autistic players. To create our training, we talked to players, family members and coaches from across the country. In this podcast, Cat chats to J...
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20:29
Unlocking Better Sleep for Autistic Individuals: Personalized Strategies and Understanding Challenges
In our latest podcast episode, we chat to two NHS sleep experts, Debbie Spain and Tasos Galanopoulos. They have a conversation with our host, Cat, to help us better understand the science of sleep and how it might impact autistic pe...
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48:52
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Autistic Strengths: A New Perspective on Inclusion with Noelle Foley- Coughlan
In our latest podcast episode, we chat toNoelle Foley Coughlan, a student who recently graduated from the MA in Autism Studies co-designed by Middletown Centre for Autism and Mary Immaculate College. Noelle focused her research on exploring the...
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41:13
The Power and Struggles of Late Autism Diagnosis in Women: Insights from Karen Hayes
Ever been fascinated by the realm of autism, particularly in women diagnosed late in life? Strap in for an insightful journey, as we joined by Karen Hayes - a researcher with a freshly minted Master's in Autism Studies who has devoted her time ...
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42:55
