Ascend Learning & Behaviour Support

01/08/2024

"The aim of Gig Buddies is to enable:

1. Adults with a Learning Disability

2. Autistic adults with a Learning Disability, and

3. Autistic adults with support needs in relation to going to events

to enjoy the great things they want to enjoy in their community.

Gig Buddies is a voluntary befriending service that pairs up people with high support needs in the area of going out with people with low to no support needs in this area to be friends and to go to events together (or just enjoy mutual interests, it doesn’t have to be events!). Our aim is for people to have fun, connect, make friends, and do cool things that they both want to do. "

Gig Buddies has come to dublin! What are we about? Gig Buddies Ireland CLG is a Registered Non-Profit in Ireland. We are starting in Ireland with our Gig Buddies Dublin project! Which means that we are only matching Gig Buddies who are based in Dublin. Gig Buddies itself is an already established ch...

09/01/2024

Thank you to the Hi Rasmus team for hosting a CEU on compassionate care by Jonathan & Courtney Tarbox. Extinction and holding expectations when needed does not mean a lack of kindness.

29/11/2023

Here you can find the dialogue between members of the Irish Society for Behaviour Analysis and members of the Oireachtas. Well done to everybody involved who continues to ensure misconceptions regarding ABA are addressed and our science continues to progress in an ethical and effective way. I was particularly glad to read the response to Holly Cairn's sharing of AsIAm's position.

Further information for the Disability Matters Committee On 4 May 2023 the Irish Society for Behaviour Analysis and Psychological Society of Ireland Division of Behaviour Analysis provided evidence…

14/06/2023

Searching for a support worker / home tutor for a family in Killarney for their 12 year Autistic son. They are looking for 6 hours (2/3 days per week) weekly support but are flexible as to times, though it would only be during the afternoons and weekends in term time.

The role is varied and will involve outings as well as supporting their son in developing functional life skills and academics. The right person will be enthusiastic, energetic, and empathetic. If you click with their son, there is also potential for July Provision if registered with the Teaching Council.

For those looking to accrue BCBA/RBT supervision hours - this is available. Experience with AAC systems such as Clicker is a huge bonus, but training can be provided. Excellent opportunity for a psychology or social care student to gain some valuable experience. Please send your CV to [email protected]

10/05/2023

06/04/2023

It takes a minute for us, and makes a world of difference for them.

As well as teaching a child to request a break and involving them in the goal setting process, we can incorporate simple measures of assent and social validity into our sessions.

Hanley (2010) provided some suggestions for how to get a meaure of learners' choices and preferences for different behaviour interventions even if they do not communicate vocally.

https://lnkd.in/d4DmBzDg

04/04/2023

Instead of teaching your kids not to stare at mine, teach them to say hello. Teach them to ask mine to play. and don't just teach them not to point, encourage them to wave.

Allow them to ask questions. We don't think it's rude. We're happy to answer them for you, if you don't know how to.

Teach your kids about kids like mine, or I'll teach mine about kids like yours.

"Why did they laugh at me mommy?"

"Why did they call me that name?"

It's because they don't know any better. It's because they haven't been taught. It's because they think that different is weird, and they haven't been told that it's not.

They haven't been taught yet that different is normal. Everyone is different.

You're different sweet child, just like everyone else...
but unfortunately, some people are ignorant.

04/04/2023

What a delivery 🤩 I am super excited to start personalising a client's regulation toolkit after we try all of these out together.

Many clients come to me having learned to label the 'zones' they are in.... but then without any skills in how to self or even co-regulate. This isn't something that can be explained or modelled just once, like any skill it needs to be systematically shaped and reinforced.

02/04/2023

28/03/2023

Here are a selection of books for that I am very excited to share with the Early Years Group I am currently with. Behaviour Analysis is all about the environment and this includes a child's peers. For too long change was placed solely on the shoulders of neurodivergent children, but thankfully this is shifting. If we start the conversation early then neurodivergent children will stand a better chance of being understood and accepted.

15/03/2023

This week is .

As somebody who works with neurodivergent adults and children, I cannot overstate the importance of workplaces making adjustments so as not to miss out on the brilliance that could easily be lost from imposing rigid neurotypical norms.

Uptimize Neurodiversity has put together a great guide on the topic.

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/relations/diversity/neurodiversity-work

Learn more about neurodiversity, the benefits for organisations, and how to support neurodivergent people to be comfortable and successful at work

11/03/2023

Specialisterne Ireland and AsIAm have launched an exciting joint initiative in Tralee called Autism Employment Tralee. This project aims to support the Autistic community with CV and interview preparation.

If you are an autistic individual who is seeking assistance with your CV and/ or a mock interview in preparation for future interviews, please email us to see how we can assist - [email protected]