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The Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast
Neurodiversity Part 1
March is Neurodiversity Celebration Month, a time to recognise that every brain works differently, and to celebrate the unique strengths and talents of every mind. This global initiative encourages schools and communities to challenge long-standing stereotypes about Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and other neurotypes (brain types).
In this episode we’re talking about neurodiversity in general, with a focus on neurodiversity-affirmative approaches, and then particularly looking at Autism and autistic experiences. This is just part 1 of a series on neurodiversity, and part 2 coming next October will discuss ADHD and Dyslexia.
In this podcast you’ll hear from Tara Mulhern, Neart Programme Lead, Caitlin Cruise, Training and Accreditation Manager with As I Am, and Edel, a Jigsaw Youth Advocate. We’ll be discussing different aspects of neurodiversity, mental health and neurodiversity and what parents can do to support neurodivergent young people in their lives.
If you would like to avail of further Neart resources, like our webinar recordings for parents, you can sign up at www.jigsaw.ie/Neart
Rate, review and subscribe! Any questions you can email us on schools@jigsaw.ie
Please make sure to like, review, subscribe and share the podcast with anyone you think might be interested – and leave us a comment to tell us what you think!
Useful links and supports below:
Regulating after school article
Talking to your teen webinar recording
Middletown after school restraint collapse resource
Sensory preferences leaflet for parents
Self-care for parents webinar recording
Post-diagnostic supports – AsIAm
Bi Cinealtas - bullying policies and procedures
For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart
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3. Promoting Positive Body Image
47:22||Season 2, Ep. 3In this episode we talk about body image, what feeds into the development of our body image, the impact that negative body image can have on a young person’s mental health, and some things that parents and guardians can do to support young people with their body image.We talk to Jigsaw Clinical Manager and Occupational Therapist Clare O’ Reilly, and Fiona Flynn, Youth Development Manager with BodyWhys. The links mentioned in the episode:BodyWhys support and resources : https://www.bodywhys.ie/Information and support from Jigsaw: www.jigsaw.ie2. Supporting young people who are struggling to attend school
01:00:37||Season 2, Ep. 2This episode looks to provide insight, support and guidance to parents & guardians when the young person in their lives is struggling to attend school. When a young person is struggling to attend school, it can cause huge stress for the whole family. In this episode, we explore this issue, how common it is, and some supports and strategies for parents & guardians. Thanks to our contributors:Amy Goodison, Coordinator, Gorey School Completion Programme. Dr. Kim Lombard, Neart Clinical Lead, JigsawEdel Connolly, Jigsaw Youth AdvocateLink to RALLY video: RALLY on YouTube Click here for NEPS Guide for Parents on Reluctant School AttendanceParents webinars - including ones on Understanding Anxiety and Managing AnxietyFurther information on motivational interviewing as mentioned by Amy: Motivational Interviewing Ireland Further information on The Wheel of Change, as mentioned by Amy: The Wheel of Change1. Helping your child start post-primary school
01:02:09||Season 2, Ep. 1In our first episode of the Academic year 2025/26, the Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast discusses the importance of the move from primary to post-primary school, the challenges this can cause, and how parents & guardians can offer and find support around what can be an exciting but turbulent time in a young person's life.With thanks to our contributors, Tara Mulhern and Adam Burke from Jigsaw, Dr Maryanne Lowney from the Tusla Educational Support Service, and Orla Condren, former school principal and current CEO of Le Cheile Educational Trust.Here are some of the links and resources mentioned in the podcast:National Council for Special Education: www.ncse.ieNCSE advice document: Moving from Primary to Post-Primary School; Guidelines for parents and guardians of students with special educational needs: https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Moving-from-Primary-to-PostPrimary-School.pdfNCSE Education Passports: https://ncca.ie/en/primary/reporting-and-transfer/education-passport/ National Parents Council webinars and support document: Supporting Your Child’s Move from Primary to Post Primary School: https://www.npc.ie/images/uploads/downloads/ChildMove.PDFTusla Educational Support Service: https://www.tusla.ie/tess/4X4 breathing technique: https://youtu.be/CoGTlBkP3IU?si=5XAKMFkdyebxYLAVThe 54321 grounding technique: https://neart.learnupon.com/r/yesowjq5jxi54uqysn1hr1tzi1s1le5BONUS EPISODE: What can schools do?
15:13|This is a special bonus episode for school staff exploring what schools can do for students in the lead up to, and during exam time. Our contributors had so much to say, we didn't want to waste it!Thanks again to our contributors from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, National Parents Council, Comhairle na nÓg and Principal Joe Leonard from Cross & Passion College, Kildare. Jigsaw's own Dr Kim Lombard also contributes.2. Self-care at exam time
25:07||Season 1, Ep. 2This episode looks at self-care around exam time. How can parents look after themselves, the young person doing exams and the other members of the household during exam season? Thanks again to our contributors from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, The National Parents Council, Comhairle na nÓg, Principal Joe Leonard from Cross & Passion College in Kildare and Tara Mulhern, Neart Programme Lead and Mental Health Occupational Therapist with Jigsaw. A general list of supports for parents & guardians can be found here: Parent & Guardian Support ListTo sign up for the Neart Parent newsletter and access further supports, register here: Neart Parent Registration1. Managing Exam Stress
47:23||Season 1, Ep. 1In this episode, the Neart schools team talks to Dr. Kim Lombard from Jigsaw, Catríona Rodgers and Eoin Houlihan from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, Áine Lynch from the National Parents Council, Joe Leonard, principal of Cross and Passion College in Kildare, and Cian and Katie from the National Comhairle na nÓg.We discuss the impact exam stress has on young people and families, how parents can recognise when a young person is experiencing a worrying level of stress, some practical ways parents can support young people, and possible avenues of further support for both young people and their parents.Information on the organisations and supports mentioned can be found here: Exam Stress Episode resourceA general list of supports for parents & guardians can be found here: Parent & Guardian Support ListTo sign up for the Neart Parent newsletter and access further supports, register here: Neart Parent RegistrationThe Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast
00:45||Season 1Welcome to the Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast. Full episodes starting on April 28th.The Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast is brought to you by Jigsaw, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and the Department of Education and the National Educational Psychological Service.