Putting the pupil first: First steps towards truly neurodiverse classrooms 

Education columnist Jennifer Horgan consults experts in the field of neurodiversity for simple approaches that work for all children across schools.

Molly Kinane works as a support network manager at the Rainbow Club. She puts emphasis on sibling support, having grown up with an autistic brother. Picture: David Creedon

Joan McDonald is an autistic teacher who has recently contributed to a book written by autistic educators.

She works part-time in Middletown Centre for Autism, which offers vital training for Irish schools and is pleased to see a general shift in various organisations from a behaviourist/deficit model to something more person-centred.