Middletown Centre for Autism

We are hiring!
Through our appointed provider, Allen Recruitment Consulting Ltd we are recruiting for the position of Head of Finance and Corporate Services.
𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: Do you have the skills and experience for this role?
A degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business (or equivalent).
Membership in a recognized professional accounting body (e.g., CAI, ACCA, CIMA).
At least three years' senior management experience* with a proven track record in financial and HR management, strategy development, and delivering complex programs.
Proficiency in corporate governance, risk management, and business planning frameworks.
Excellent communication skills (oral and written), with experience presenting to boards or similar audiences.
Access to transport for travel across Ireland and the UK.
*The following additional clarification is provided: Senior management is defined as a manager who reports to the Chief Executive, Board or a Director.
》Click the link to find out more about this exciting opportunity:

https://www.middletownautism.com/news/middletown-centre-for-autism-is-seeking-to-recruit-a-head-of-finance-and-corporate-services-4-2025

Gardening introduces the opportunity for tactile experiences and time spent exploring nature. This visual resource provides clear instructions for planting seeds.

Resource:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Fri_27th_April_Plant_a_seed.pdf

Easter holidays may be the perfect time for some students to begin their exam preparation. These planners will help to structure revision time, essential for those who have a need for organisation and routine.

Resource 1:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Thurs_7_April_Coursework_and_Revision_Fortnightly_Planner_A3_size.pdf

Resource 2:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Thurs_7_April_Coursework_and_Revision_-_Weekly_Planner.pdf

If you have Easter themed cookie cutters, this is the perfect step by step visual guide for using them to create delicious biscuits. Alternatively, use plain cutters and have fun decorating them. If you try these out don't forget to tag us!

Resource:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Sat_16_April_How_to_make_bunny_cookies.pdf

We are hiring!

Through our appointed provider, Allen Recruitment Consulting Ltd we are recruiting for the position of Head of Finance and Corporate Services.

𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: Do you have the skills and experience for this role?

A degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business (or equivalent).
Membership in a recognized professional accounting body (e.g., CAI, ACCA, CIMA).
At least three years' senior management experience* with a proven track record in financial and HR management, strategy development, and delivering complex programs.
Proficiency in corporate governance, risk management, and business planning frameworks.
Excellent communication skills (oral and written), with experience presenting to boards or similar audiences.
Access to transport for travel across Ireland and the UK.
*The following additional clarification is provided: Senior management is defined as a manager who reports to the Chief Executive, Board or a Director.

》Click the link to find out more about this exciting opportunity: https://www.middletownautism.com/news/middletown-centre-for-autism-is-seeking-to-recruit-a-head-of-finance-and-corporate-services-4-2025

Tara Vernon, Trainer/Advisor in Middletown, was delighted to attend the ILSA Spring Conference earlier this month. The event included the launch of ILSA's journal, LEARN 2025. Tara is one of the published researchers in this journal, so get a copy and read her excellent paper on "There's a bit to go: Perspectives of young autistic students on their post-primary experiences in Ireland".

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.

To listen to the podcast:
Buzzsprout- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1184276
Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5mSa0W6kW5P69L9rCSmQUa
Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-middletown-centre-for-autism-podcast/id1554057325

If you have a surplus of eggs this Easter, here are a couple of ideas for games you can play. The resource provides visual step-by-step instructions to clarify the rules of each game.

Resource:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Mon_18_April_Easter_Egg_Games.pdf

Some young people will be focused on revising at the moment. Using templates for categorising and organising information within curriculum topics and subjects can greatly help with revision. Some examples are provided in this resource.

Resource:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Tues_12_April_Categorising_Organiser.pdf

For some students PE can be the highlight of their week, while for others it can feel like torture. Aoife is a researcher looking to learn more about the barriers and benefits to taking part in exercise for autistic young people. If you know a young person who would like to share their experiences, please get in touch: [email protected]

You may have seen different versions of the infinity symbol appearing on social media this month. This is because many autistic people use it to represent autism acceptance. The infinity symbol was chosen as it represents inclusion and diversity with infinite variations and possibilities.

We often see the symbol depicted in rainbow colours, or in plain gold. The rainbow colours reflect the neurodiversity movement which encompasses all the different ways in which people experience and interact with the world, while the gold symbol is used specifically to represent autism as the chemical symbol for gold is Au.

How would you represent autism acceptance? Use the template below to create your own symbol for autism acceptance month.

Template:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Monday_3rd_April_My_Autism_Acceptance_Logo.pdf

Specialist therapists from the Centre, Tracey McGovern and Jill McCanney, delivered training to Educational Psychology students in Queen's University Belfast, on the roles of the Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist in supporting autistic children and young people.

It’s that time of year when some students are spending more time revising, which can feel overwhelming. Recording information on visual templates is a useful revision strategy as it supports working memory and organises materials to be studied and learnt. This resource explains how to use such templates and provides examples for a range of subjects. Blank templates are also included.

Resource:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Mon_11_April_Revision_and_Graphic_Organisers.pdf

It’s time to get creative for Mother’s Day! A homemade card and gift always add a personal touch and something which can be kept forever.

The card provided here can be coloured in and folded.

The background templates offer a frame for a drawing, which can then be given as a gift to Mum or Granny.

Resource 1-https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Wed_10_March_Colour_in_ready_made_mother's_day_card.pdf

Resource 2-https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Wed_10_March_Mother's_Day_-_drawing_background_templates.pdf

Fun Fridays for these Year 8 students . They have been attending a Brick Club over the past 8 weeks where they were able to develop connections with peers through a joint interest in Lego. They have built small sets together, taking on different roles as suppliers, engineers and builders and had found great enjoyment when they had a finished creations to show off with pride!

Make a butterfly for Mother’s Day by making hand prints or tracing around hands. A creative surprise on Mother’s Day to give along with a cup of tea or breakfast in bed!

Resource:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Thurs_16_March_Mother's_Day_picture.pdf

On Thursday 20th March Eleanor McStay, Deborah McNabney and Ruth McCausland delivered training and a practical workshop to Greenwood House Assessment Centre on using Visual Supports to promote independence for autistic pupils by adding structure to tasks and developing the use of activity systems. This was the final session in a series of 6 trainings over the past year on topics including Autism and Anxiety, Sensory Processing, Visual Methodologies & Learning Style. Staff teams then got creative to develop structured tasks for pupils to complete independently at their task tables. We’re sure the children will enjoy these!