#Neurodivergence

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

A boy has a stomachache from food poisoning.
Dr Phil Kieran: What can I do to help my child have regular bowel movements?
With neurodiversity, some of the sensations that most of us take for granted can be difficult to interpret, and responding to these can manifest in strict dietary preferences and aversions to certain tastes or textures.

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Autism spectrum disorder ASD written on a paper.
Ciara Reilly: Autism is not caused by paracetamol, vaccines or mothers — it's a natural neurotype
Conspiracy theories about autism persist, but the real issue is not 'causes' — it’s the systemic failure to support autistic people

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Chef Orla McAndrew on her adult ADHD diagnosis and what needs to change in the system
Chef Orla McAndrew on her adult ADHD diagnosis and what needs to change in the system
"And then came the diagnosis: ADHD. Not a shock, not a hammer blow, but a kind of quiet revelation. A frame placed around the picture of my life. The noise, the sleepless nights, the tornado energy, the self-doubt."

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Tots to Teens: Healthy lunches, Harvest Festival, and a Belfast fairytale
Tots to Teens: Healthy lunches, Harvest Festival, and a Belfast fairytale
A Belfast Fairytale by Mel Carroll is a fun-filled picture book for young children. It retells the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff in a Belfast setting

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

'I can be around people and feel like I am alone': Autistic adults report feeling lonely and isolated
'I can be around people and feel like I am alone': Autistic adults report feeling lonely and isolated
Survey for charity AsIAm found just over half feel lonely all or most of the time, with 69% saying they feel 'left out of society'

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

depressed, sad, lonely boy sitting on floor
Joanna Fortune: My husband and I have different parenting styles - how do we work on this?
It should be possible to discuss your different approaches to parenting as a conversation, but if it becomes heated, decide who will speak first (by flipping a coin) and agree that each of you will have five uninterrupted minutes on the matter

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

'It would level the playing field to have more time': Dyslexic student calls for extra exam time
'It would level the playing field to have more time': Dyslexic student calls for extra exam time
Cork Leaving Cert student Alice R Perks says she often finds herself running out of time in exams 'because I work it out differently and I do it differently'

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

Tots to Teens: Spot the difference and join the dots with activity book featuring Michael D Higgins
Tots to Teens: Spot the difference and join the dots with activity book featuring Michael D Higgins
From the President's Sticker Activity Book to playing dress-up, here's a selection of products and activities for the children to enjoy

Tue, 06 May, 2025

Cute cherful dreaming ginger boy standing
Colman Noctor: Not everyone who struggles to focus has ADHD
Instead of only asking what is wrong with individuals, perhaps we should also ask what is wrong with the world they live in

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Tots to Teens: This ‘Cinderella’ retelling is set in Limerick
Tots to Teens: This ‘Cinderella’ retelling is set in Limerick
The book includes some of Limerick’s many landmarks, including King John’s Castle, Thomond Park, Adare Manor and the Shannon.

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

ADHD in women: 'If I was told I could take away my ADHD, I’m not sure I would'
ADHD in women: 'If I was told I could take away my ADHD, I’m not sure I would'
A condition associated with boisterous boys is often diagnosed later in women because they internalise the symptoms and mask the behaviours

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

Tots to Teens: Nurturing sustainable appetites with Let's Grow
Tots to Teens: Nurturing sustainable appetites with Let's Grow
Plus: books for young rugby fans, bakeoffs for sick kids, and sensory seminars

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

ADHD concept. Baby is playing with cubes with letters.
'Deeply concerning' that people with ADHD live shorter lives than those who do not have condition
Men may live up to nine years less and women 11 years less than someone without ADHD, study finds

Thu, 23 Jan, 2025

Tots To Teens: Ring in the new year with style
Tots To Teens: Ring in the new year with style
Plus: cards, diaries and fundraisers

Tue, 31 Dec, 2024

Neurodivergent children take control in calming sensory cubbies 
Neurodivergent children take control in calming sensory cubbies 
A multi-sensory booth developed by the father of an autistic child offers a special space away from the noise of public places

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Aileen Ferris: Cork yoga teacher's class is 'about what feels good' for neurodivergent bodies
Aileen Ferris: Cork yoga teacher's class is 'about what feels good' for neurodivergent bodies
A life-changing diagnosis helped yoga instructor and acrobat Aileen Ferris realise who she is - and create a yoga class to help other neurodivergent adults with the sometimes-tricky task of checking in with their bodies. Mike McGrath-Bryan finds out more.

Tue, 08 Oct, 2024

Daughter is poorly feeling and mother attentive caring.
Joanna Fortune: My daughter doesn't understand why her autistic brother gets extra privileges 
"What matters in a family is that everyone’s needs are met as best as possible. Of course, every child differs, and some present with more pronounced needs, requiring a higher response level."

Tue, 24 Sep, 2024

Neurodiversity
Neurodivergent workers 'would rather quit jobs than speak up about barriers' 
New UCC course on neurodiversity in the workplace is aimed at directors, supervisors, managers and anyone with an interest in creating a culture of inclusion in their workplace

Wed, 11 Sep, 2024

We're dyslexic — but it hasn't stopped us from being successful
We're dyslexic — but it hasn't stopped us from being successful
We hear from three people who have managed their dyslexia and are thriving in their careers

Mon, 08 Jul, 2024

'Urgent' appeal for Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students with dyslexia to get extra exam time
'Urgent' appeal for Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students with dyslexia to get extra exam time
Dyslexia Association of Ireland points out dyslexic university students get extra time, but Leaving and Junior Cert students are at an unfair disadvantage

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

Joe Biden
S Terry Prone: Hold your tongue and give those with a stutter a chance to catch up
If you do not have a stammer, and are conversing with someone who does, stifle your interventive instincts: Shut up and let them speak

Mon, 03 Jun, 2024

EU Election Podcast: Luke Ming Flanagan diagnosed with autism after years of 'utter hell' trying to get help for daughter
EU Election Podcast: Luke Ming Flanagan diagnosed with autism after years of 'utter hell' trying to get help for daughter
The MEP and former TD said that he 'almost lost his mind' when his daughter was diagnosed

 Listen | Wed, 29 May, 2024

 Listen |
Extra time for dyslexic students in Leaving Certificate exams an 'unfair advantage'
Extra time for dyslexic students in Leaving Certificate exams an 'unfair advantage'
Representatives of both the Department of Education and the State Examinations Commission warn that giving a time advantage could have 'unintended consequences'

Sun, 19 May, 2024

Campaigner hits out at 'farcical' announcement on special education needs organisers
Campaigner hits out at 'farcical' announcement on special education needs organisers
Mark Darmody said: 'What we don’t need are more SENOs telling us about services we can’t access because there aren’t enough staff to provide them in the first place.'

Thu, 09 May, 2024

Sensory rooms: How lights, sensations and surfaces make an oasis of calm for Harry
Sensory rooms: How lights, sensations and surfaces make an oasis of calm for Harry
Noise and brightness are harsh for children with autism, like Harry McGregor, nephew of MMA fighter Conor. So Harry’s mum had a space built at home for him to relax

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Tots to Teens: Cork author helps ADHD kids explore difference in a fun and friendly way
Tots to Teens: Cork author helps ADHD kids explore difference in a fun and friendly way
Plus: kid-friendly bites at Waterford Festival of Food, the EcoMomics Podcast, and Barnardos' Big Active

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024

Workplace Wellbeing: Neurodivergence is a strength — not a deficit 
Workplace Wellbeing: Neurodivergence is a strength — not a deficit 
Similar to how sports coaches work with the strengths of their players, employers have much gain by encouraging neurodivergent people to excel in areas where they have high levels of ability

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

Education Feature
Thirty five per cent of disabled children endure seclusion, while 27% suffer restraint at school 
One parent claimed their son 'stripped naked multiple times due to distress' after being 'dragged across a school floor' into an autism class

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Neurodiversity
S Sarah Harte: How the State is making neurodivergent children feel worthless
We are failing to identify neurodivergent children, we are failing to support them in their childhood and teenage years and failing to see what their strengths are, ultimately failing to stop many of them from falling through the cracks

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Happy little girl studying
Colman Noctor: We need to level the educational playing field for dyslexic children
"There is no ‘cure’ for dyslexia. It is a lifelong condition that persists into adulthood. However, appropriate support and interventions can help children compensate for their reading and writing difficulties and achieve academic and professional success."

Tue, 13 Feb, 2024

Richard Hogan: Having dyslexia doesn't mean you're stupid - I should know
Richard Hogan: Having dyslexia doesn't mean you're stupid - I should know
When a teacher is working with a dyslexic student, they shouldn't see limitations but all the limitless potential that is there.

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

frustrated teenager doing homework
Colman Noctor: Children with ADHD struggle in traditional schools 
'The three main areas where children with ADHD struggle are academic environments, social interactions, and mastering daily tasks'

Tue, 16 Jan, 2024

Little boy in headphones listening to music
Tots To Teens: Bop to the beat with music classes
Being organised, nailing screen time, and meals for sleep-deprived parents

Tue, 02 Jan, 2024

Portrait of worried girl looking through the window at home
Joanna Fortune: My autistic daughter is being excluded by friends 
"We all need friends in our lives, even though it might be challenging to find people who understand you, enjoy being with you and with whom you feel a genuine connection."

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Author Robin Stevens on her autism diagnosis: 'Stories are what help me make sense of the world'
Author Robin Stevens on her autism diagnosis: 'Stories are what help me make sense of the world'
Fiction writer Robin Stevens has been diagnosed as autistic in adulthood — coming by the realisation after neurodivergent fans got in touch to ask about their favourite characters

Sun, 12 Nov, 2023

The problem of getting used to school for a child who has just started primary school.
Colman Noctor: Critical need for autistic children to build friendships 
"Many children and young people I see report strong feelings of loneliness and disconnection. They tell me about feeling ‘different’, ‘misunderstood’ and ‘alone’."

Tue, 31 Oct, 2023

'She got nothing' — Mother describes six-year journey to help daughter with dyslexia
S 'She got nothing' — Mother describes six-year journey to help daughter with dyslexia
Leonie Geraghty was repeatedly told by her daughter's school that Paige was not dyslexic or to “wait and see”. Six years after concerns were first raised, a private assessment confirmed that Paige did indeed have dyslexia.

Mon, 23 Oct, 2023

Dyslexia word concept
Many left waiting more than two years for dyslexia assessment, group warns
According to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland, the public assessment system is increasingly failing to meet the demand for dyslexia assessments, leaving many with no other option but to seek private assessments

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

'Why am I so proud my own children are autistic, but can’t say I am?'
'Why am I so proud my own children are autistic, but can’t say I am?'
Amanda McGuinness has three sons all of whom are autistic. Her fascination with data as a child began to make sense when she was also identified as being neurodivergent aged 39

Tue, 05 Sep, 2023

Tots To Teens: Free resources for parents and guardians
Tots To Teens: Free resources for parents and guardians
Plus: on yer bike for a Barretstown fundraiser, and Glenilen Farm's new yoghurt pouches

Tue, 06 Jun, 2023

Diagnosing ADHD in females: 'The relief was unreal - there was euphoria, but also grief'
Diagnosing ADHD in females: 'The relief was unreal - there was euphoria, but also grief'
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder presents differently in girls than in boys. This means many females with the condition are undiagnosed or not diagnosed until adulthood

Fri, 02 Jun, 2023

Exam cheating rises
Students with dyslexia seek changes to help them during exams
'I didn’t have extra time in my exams, I had a reader, but I still had to write my answers, which was just ridiculous when I was advised to use assistive technology,' says one student

Thu, 18 May, 2023

Tots to teens: Empowering new mums, dyslexic aid, and a music and creativity box
Tots to teens: Empowering new mums, dyslexic aid, and a music and creativity box
Plus more than 500 events for CruinniĂș na nÓg

Tue, 16 May, 2023

Call to allow dyslexic students extra time in State exams to 'help level the playing field'
Call to allow dyslexic students extra time in State exams to 'help level the playing field'
Dyslexic students may receive a waiver from the assessment of spelling, grammar, and punctuation in language subjects but extra time is not allowed

Thu, 11 May, 2023

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Mick Clifford
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