Neurodiversity Ireland Summit 2025
Friday & Saturday
16-17
May 2025
Venue
Dargan Theatre
Business School
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
About the Summit
Ireland’s first Neurodiversity Summit brings together global thought leaders to share insights on neuroaffirmative values and practices. This two-day event deepens our understanding of neurodiversity and highlights the supports neurodivergent children need to thrive.
Who should attend?
Everyone!
Did you know that about â…“ of society is neurodivergent? If you live with, support, teach, work for or with other people, this summit is for you.
Over 2 days, with in-person and online sessions, topics will include:
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Neuroaffirmative Values
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Understanding PDA
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Neurodivergent Girls
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Gestalt Language Processing / Assistive Technology & AAC
Book tickets
Choose the ticket option that suits you best. Attend in person at Trinity College Dublin or join us online from anywhere. All tickets include access to session recordings, so you won’t miss a thing. Select your preferred day(s) below and secure your place at Ireland’s first Neurodiversity Summit.
In Person
Join us at Trinity College Dublin for a fully immersive experience with live talks, networking, and expert Q&As. Ticket prices are €160 both days, or €90 single days.
Online Only
Access all sessions remotely with live streaming and recording. Ideal for international attendees or those preferring to join from home. Ticket prices are €120 both days, or €75 single days.
Please contact info@neurodiversityireland.com for information on discounts available for group bookings.
Speakers
Meg Ferrell
Global leader in neuroaffirmative practice and a strengths-based approach, Occupational Therapist and founder of Learn Play Thrive Education Hub and the 2 Sides Podcast, from Asheville, North Carolina.
Davida Hartman
@the_adult_autism_adhd_practice
Adjunct Professor in the UCD School of Psychology, Chartered Educational and Child Psychologist, founder of the Adult Autism Practice and Children’s Clinic, Dublin and co-author of the neuroaffirmative guide to assessments, the Adult Autism Assessment Handbook.
Marge Blanc
Clinical Speech-Language Pathologist, author of Natural Language Acquisition: The Journey from Echolalia to Self-Generated Language and founder of the Communication Development Center, Wisconsin.
Julie Holmes
Speech & Language Therapist specialising in GLP, founder of BeMe Therapy and Let’s Communicate Together.
Andi Putt
Paediatric speech-language pathologist, specialist in neurodiversity and girls, and the creator of Mrs. Speechie P in Texas.
Kelsie Olds
Occupational Therapist who works both on- and offline to share knowledge widely about the ways that children grow, develop, and learn.
Casey Erlich
Social scientist, parent coach and educator, the CEO and founder of At Peace Parents, and a leader of the first peer-reviewed studies of PDA in the United States.
Holly Sprake-Hill
Holly is an autistic and multiply neurodivergent occupational therapist with a refreshing approach to supporting autistic sensory needs.
Joan McDonald
Founder of Posautive and Autistic Paddies, Joan delivers autism training shaped by lived experience and educational leadership.
John Sharry
Co-founder of SolutionTalk.ie and Parents Plus. Psychotherapist, author, and UCD professor, John pioneers solution-focused parenting, mental health innovation, and digital therapy programmes globally.
“Left Behind” Irish Premiere
On Friday night the Dargan Theatre, TCD, hosts the Irish premiere of the Larry Mullen Jr. produced documentary Left Behind, the inspiring story of a group of determined mums who band together to create the first public dyslexic school in the largest school district in America, New York City.
Before the screening a panel will discuss the impact both of supports and the lack of supports for dyslexic children in Ireland; comprised of Dairine Kennedy, Director Neurodiversity Ireland, Pauline Cogan, Educational Psychologist, Sashca Roos, Author and Dyslexia Specialist, Dee O’Toole, Irish Primary School Teacher, Keith Murphy, Lecturer and Adult Dyslexia Specialist, Emma Maye, CORE Builders Providers, Lauren Raftery, Student, Michelle Kinsella and Rosie Bissett of the Dyslexia Association Ireland.
Agenda
Fri, 16 May
10:00–12:30
Neuroaffirmative Practices
Meg Ferrell, Kelsie Olds (11am), Dr. Katie Cremin, Jack Cairns, Meghan O’Rourke
14:00–16:00
Neurodiversity and Girls
Andi Putt, Dr. Suzanne Meenan, Davida Hartman, Meghan O’Rourke, Holly Sprake-hill, John Sharry
Sat, 17 May
10:00–12:30
Gestalt Language Processing & AAC
Marge Blanc, Julie Holmes, Clay Smith, Andi Putt
14:00–16:00
PDA – Pervasive Drive for Autonomy
Casey Erlich, Kendahl Damashek, Sorcha Rice
vENUE
This event takes place in the Dargan Theatre in the Business School in Trinity College Dublin. The Dargan Theatre is a large lecture theatre with ample natural light and seating for 500 people. View more information and photos of the venue here.
Explore the Trinity Sense Map – an innovative tool designed to enhance campus accessibility and sensory inclusivity where you can find quiet spaces, catering options, seating areas and outdoor spaces and much more.
Developed collaboratively by neurodivergent student interns in the disAbility Service, this interactive campus guide provides detailed sensory and accessibility information for buildings and rooms, ensuring everyone can navigate spaces with ease and comfort, representing Trinity’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
ResourcesÂ
Book a Trinity Walking Trail
Food options near Trinity
- O’Neill’s Victorian Pub (Pearse Street):Â A traditional Irish pub, offering hot lunches and a warm atmosphere.
- KC Peaches (Nassau Street):Â Popular for its salad bar and hot food buffet with vegetarian and vegan options.
- Carluccio’s (Dawson Street):Â Offers takeaway pasta options.
- Il Caffe di Napoli (Westland Row): An Italian restaurant and caffè offering a range of Italian dishes and coffee.
- Kennedy’s Bar & Restaurant (Westland Row):Â A traditional Irish pub serving food and drinks.
- Zambrero (Pearse Street):Â A Mexican restaurant chain offering burritos, bowls, and tacos
- Camile Thai (Pearse Street):Â A Thai food chain offering gluten free options
- Maldron Hotel Pearse Street (Pearse Street):Â Their Grain & Grill restaurant and bar is open for lunch and dinner. They also have a coffee dock.
- Honey Truffle (Pearse Street):Â Offers gluten-free salad boxes and sweet treats.
- Chopped (Westland Row): healthy and customisable option, offers salads and wraps where you can choose your ingredients. It’s a quick and convenient choice.
- Subway (Westland Row):Â A classic choice for customizable sandwiches and salads, offering a quick and affordable lunch option.
- Starbucks (Westmoreland Street):Â While primarily a coffee shop, Starbucks usually offers some light lunch options like sandwiches, paninis, and wraps
- Pepperpot Cafe (Powerscourt Townhouse):Â Quirky tea room offering gluten-free cakes, all-day breakfast, salads and sandwiches
- Beanhive Cafe (Dawson Street):Â Offers gluten-free breakfasts, sandwiches and pastries
- Taste Food Company (South William Street):Â Offers all-day menu!