Seltec Training

"If we make accommodations for you, we'll have to make them for everybody."

Respectfully, when it comes to reasonable accommodations, isn't that the whole point?

Reasonable accommodations aren't designed to give anyone an 'unfair advantage', they are about making life/work/education/sport/activity more accessible, when they weren't built with everyone in mind!

A quite space, a flexible deadline, a ramp, movement breaks, a hearing loop, a spell checker - all of these accommodations don't impact or disadvantage anyone else. They just mean that more people actually get to participate fully, and on more equal footing.

The old argument of 'but then everyone would want that' misses some key points in that not everyone will need these accommodations, and if some of the accommodations do make things easier and more accessible for everyone, why not use them? If a quick movement break allows everyone to work better, why not fit it into the day?

We all make accommodations every day; so why are we making them so difficult to achieve in school or in the workplace for those who would benefit from them most?

Fire Safety Course Dates! 🔥

We have neglected sharing dates & updates recently of our Fire Safety & Manual Handling Course dates as we have had so many new courses to share.

So, our next course dates are listed in the image.

We are also offering 10% off any Fire Safety Course booked between now and September 15th.

Enter code 'FIRE10' at checkout to apply the discount.

We are Back!

Autism in the Classroom Course | For Teachers, SNAs/ANAs & Principals 🌈

Every autistic child deserves classrooms that understand them authentically, not classrooms that ask them to change. This three-part course supports school staff to build truly inclusive, regulation-first environments that are grounded in relationships, not compliance.

We ran this course over the summer and the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, so we're delighted to bring it back for three more sessions, with further courses dates on other topics to follow soon.

Across three online sessions, we'll explore:
🌈 Understanding Autism in the Classroom: moving beyond deficit-based thinking toward a strengths-based, rights-based understanding of autistic learners
🌈 Creating an Autism-Friendly Classroom: practical environmental and sensory strategies for a truly inclusive space
🌈 Supporting Behaviours: reframing behaviour as communication, with a regulation-first lens

This course is designed to align with current best practice in Irish education policy, including the principles underpinning NCSE Relate, and reflects the direction set out in NCSE Policy Advice and ongoing national commitments to inclusive education for autistic pupils.

Whether you're a teacher, SNA/ANA, or principal, this is a course that translates directly into your classroom.

📅 26 September | 17 October | 7 November 2026
🕥 10:00–13:00 | Online via Microsoft Teams
🔗 www.seltectraining.ie (link in bio!)

This is probably one of my busiest images accompanying a caption and there's a good reason for that. I was trying to represent how vast the range of special interests can be and, even at that I've left out many of the more common special interests we see, and included a few less common ones. I hope this shows how different every child's interests can be, and how important they can be for them.

Every child finds comfort in different things, for Autistic children, routine and special interests often play a really important role in this.

In our second Parent Information & Support Session (September 16th), we will focus on understanding why routine matters so much, and why special interests can be such a meaningful and grounding part of an Autistic child's life. Rather than viewing these as things to be limited or redirected, we look at what they are actually offering your child, including predictability, safety, and a sense of control in a world that can often feel unpredictable.

Strategies and support around routine and interests only work when they come from understanding first. Every child's relationship with routine and their interests will look different, so recognising what these things provide for your child individually is the starting point, not a general rule to apply.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach here either, so this session will help you recognise what routine and interests mean for your child specifically, and how to support them in a manner that feels safe and supportive for your child.

This session will be session 2 in our 10-part Autism Information and Support Sessions for Parents. All 10 sessions are still available for bookings - the first one starts on September 9th from 7pm - 9pm. ✨️

All sessions can be booked at www.seltectraining.ie

Every child has a unique way of interacting with the world, this rings true for Autistic children too!

In our first parent information & support session in September, we will focus on understanding some of the differences that Autistic children might experience in social interaction and communication. Building this understanding can help understand the 'why' behind different ways of needing to communicate, and how as parents you can support your child's communication in a way that is authentic to them, and accepts the forms of communication and methods of social interaction that they can currently access and are comfortable for your child. It is important to remember that every child interacts with the world in a different way, that does not mean a difference is a problem or a deficit!

Strategies are great, but every child will need different support depending on their current needs and methods of communication and social interaction. This is why we first focus on understanding the differences, why they are there, consider all of the strengths before we look at any strategies.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach here, so developing this understanding will help you to recognise what interactions might be comfortable or uncomfortable for your child, and how you can support their communication by recognising where they are now, and supporting the methods they can already access.

Session 1 focuses on building this understanding, and some key strategies that could support your child's communication and social interactions.

ALL Communication is Valid!

When a child's communication isn't accepted, it doesn't just go unheard, it can actually go away. If reaching out in a way that they can access doesn't work, why would a child keep trying?

That's why, as a first step, we don't need to teach 'polite' communication. We need to accept the forms of communication that are already there, and show a child that they can get their needs met by using the forms of communication they can currently access.

Communication can look like:
🗣 Words, phrases, scripting or echolalia. Vocalising without using words.
☝️ Gestures, pointing, leading someone by the hand
🧸 Using objects of reference
😁 Facial expressions
🌻 Behaviour - how someone acts
📱AAC devices, cards or visual supports
👀 Eye contact, or avoiding eye contact, body language or proximity
🖐 Physical touch

There are many more methods of communication, but these are just some examples.

These are ALL valid ways a child can tell us what they need. It might take some time for us to learn what each communication is telling us.

Politeness can come later. First, a child needs to know their communication works: that reaching out gets a response, not a correction.

This is one of the core ideas we explore in our Autism Information & Support Sessions for Parents, which are practical, judgment-free sessions for real family life!

The first session starts in September, but we are sharing some snippets of information all year round! 🌻

Follow along for more, or send us a message if you'd like more information!

A little snippet of some of the slides from Session 1 of our Autism in the Classroom course last week!

We are looking forward to seeing you back for Session 2 - Autism Friendly Classrooms. ✨️

Bookings are still open for Session 2 - Autism Friendly Classrooms - Wednesday 22nd 10am - 1pm & Session 3 - Supporting Behaviours - Friday 24th 10am - 1pm.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the conversation so far & are looking forward to getting stuck back in on Wednesday!! 🌻

Is your team compliant with manual handling regulations? 📦

Manual handling injuries are among the most common, and the most preventable workplace injuries. If your staff haven't been trained (or it's been a while), now's the time.

Why Seltec Training?
- QQI-certified trainers
- Online or in-person delivery
- We come to you for groups of 4+
- Based in the West of Ireland, with Nationwide travel available

"The manual handling course was practical, relevant, and immediately applicable on site." - David, Western Material Supplies Ltd

Book your team's training today. Get in touch:

☎️ 085-1609754
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.seltectraining.ie