The AsIAm Autism Experience Exhibition at NCI

An interactive exhibition and series of talks over 2 days at NCI.

When: Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th October 2019
Where: Atrium of NCI  10am – 4pm both days

How would you feel if you couldn’t read or see words clearly? What if you couldn’t understand what others are saying? How would you be able to concentrate on one thing but weren’t able to filter out the surrounding noise? What if you couldn’t cope with certain textures, the tastes or odours of certain foods?

The Autism Experience Exhibition lets you experience these challenges. It is presented in a Q&A format and includes an audio guide and activities to enable visitors to step into the shoes of someone living with the condition.

All are welcome, the event is free just come along to the NCI Atrium at any time and our guides will show you through the interactive exhibits. The event will give you a fascinating and useful insight into Autism.

The exhibition is free to attend and there is no need to register, just come along. To work through the exhibition, you should allow approximately one hour and places are subject to availability on the day as some times may be busier.

Free Talks

As part of the event we also have free talks over the two days. These talks are free to attend but you must register due to room capacity.

What it is to be autistic

Talk by Adam Harris, Founder AsIAm

NCI Kelly Theatre, Monday 14th October, 12 – 1pm (register to attend)

About Adam 

Adam is AsIAm’s Founder & Chief Executive Officer, having held the position since he founded the organisation in 2013.

Adam set up AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as a young autistic person in Ireland. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome from an early age, the condition was far less understood or even known as it is today.

Frustrated at the lack of any real understanding of autism and the many examples of social inclusion which the community are subjected to, Adam was inspired to establish AsIAm whilst studying for his Leaving Cert – with the aim of giving autistic people a voice and starting a national conversation.

Autism in the workplace: an opportunity

Talk with Peter Brabazon (General Manager Specialisterne Ireland) and Richard Hughes, Support Team Manager at SAP Ireland, and the NCI Careers Team

NCI Room 2.08, Monday 14th October, 2-3pm (register to attend) 

About the talk

Many companies are beginning to realise the advantages of neurodiversity in the workforce and also realising that there is a pool of untapped talent available. Peter Brabazon is the General Manager of Specialisterne Ireland. Specialisterne is an innovative social business concept originally founded in Denmark in 2004. Specialisterne is internationally recognized as the first and foremost example of how autistic people can be included and realise their potential in meaningful and productive jobs. For over a decade, Specialisterne has developed hiring and management practices that enable the employment of autistic people by removing the barriers to once inaccessible industries and careers.

Peter will be joined by Richard Hughes, Support Team Manager at SAP Ireland. Richard will speak from the employer perspective on the benefits of working with Specialisterne to employ autistic candidates within their organisation and teams. SAP has an internationally recognised Autism at Work program, operating in 13 countries employing more than 160 people with autism.

Peter and Richard will also be joined by some colleagues who have worked through Specialisterne to go on to successful employment to share their experience.

NCI Careers and Employability team are working with Specialisterne to provide career and employability skills to our students with Autism. NCI Students interested in this should contact the NCI Careers team.

See www.specialisterne.ie for more details on their work.

Making NCI an Autism Friendly Institution (closed to the public)

Talk with Fiona Ferris, Deputy CEO AsIAm, and Katie Quinn, Youth Engagement and Programmes Officer AsIAm.

Executive 1, Tuesday 15th October, 12-1.30pm, open to NCI staff only.

About Fiona

Fiona joined the AsIAm team in September 2017 as the Early Years Training Programme Co-ordinator. Fiona completed her degree in Early Years Education in 2015 and wished to use the experiences of being autistic herself and being the parent of a young child also with an autism diagnosis, to bring knowledge to the early years sector in a positive way.

Originally from Co. Down, Fiona’s background is in early education management, having managed a number of early years services. Fiona designed and delivers the early years autism training programme Teach Me As I Am nationwide, to help educate early years professionals on a best practice approach for supporting children and families in the autism community.

About Katie

Based in Co. Wicklow, Katie joined AsIAm in 2015 as our Youth Engagement and Programmes Officer. Katie has over a decade’s experience of working with children and young people on the autism spectrum both in Ireland and in the UK. Through working with children and their families in schools and in the home environment, Katie has come to place an importance on hands-on learning, with a special focus on teaching valuable life skills to all young people.

As part of Katie’s role, she works closely with Dublin City University to deliver AsIAm’s Autism-Friendly University Initiative. This also includes working with other national and international universities who wish to undertake this initiative.

Katie is also involved in the Youth Leadership Team, working with 15-17 year olds from all over Ireland. Her aim with the YLT is to deepen the young people’s advocacy skills, and to ensure they have their voices heard in their communities.