Mayo specialist training provider leading the way in creating opportunities for autistic people

Specialist education body National Learning Network has supported almost 800 people with autism and Asperger’s into employment or further education in the last five years.

National Learning Network (NLN) is the education and training division of the Rehab Group. NLN provides inclusive education and training opportunities with specialist student supports to promote student success in personal, vocational, and occupational goals.

To coincide with World Autism Awareness month, NLN training centres across the country including NLN, Castlebar, will host a National Open Day on Wednesday, April 5, at 11 a.m. focussing on autism supports. People can visit NLN Castlebar to see the various learning options with pathways to further education, higher education, and jobs.

In recent years, major progress has been made in increasing awareness and acceptance of autism. However, Autistic people still face discrimination and barriers to access and participation in all aspects of society including education and work in Ireland. NLN has a large autistic community with almost 40% of the student population identifying as autistic. “It is our responsibility, to play a role in Irish society as Autism allies and show leadership, to move beyond autism awareness to autism acceptance” says Lucianne Bird, director of learning at NLN.

NLN training centres adopt a neurodiversity affirmative approach in working with all students.

“Put simply this means, in NLN, we respect that students vary in the way that their brains take in, process, and respond to information. It’s just what make each of us unique – staff and students.  And the difference between people in how we learn is natural. There is no one better way to learn or no correct way to be, all neuro-types are equally valued,” explained Ms. Bird.

“Autistic individuals have a wide range of abilities and needs, and NLN staff are skilled at providing the specific support required; of course, the type and level of support varies from person to person. In NLN, we often meet autistic people who have been “masking” personal traits to fit in with people around them. This can be exhausting and negatively impact on mental health and wellbeing. In all our training centres, we welcome and support people to be their true and authentic selves without pressure to conform to traditional social norms,” added Ms. Bird.

"Autistic students are not just following their own paths, they are headed to different destinations and NLN staff work in a student-centred way to help autistic students reach their chosen destination. We also work with important stakeholders in the community such as employers to promote understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace."

Edel McSorley, operations director of Mr. Price Branded Bargains said: “Our corporate partnership with NLN has supported our supervisors and hiring managers to have a greater understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace. In recognising that potential employees may take in, respond, and process information differently, we adopted a much flexible recruitment process. This year, we accepted a job application that included a work experience placement with a poem rather than a traditional CV. This student is now an employee. We will continue to work with autistic students in NLN who want to get a job and follow careers in the retail industry using job accommodations where needed to ensure equity of access to jobs and careers with Mr. Price Branded Bargains.”

Matt Rowley, aged 24, is a person with autism from Swinford. He joined National Learning Network after his Leaving Cert Applied in 2017 at Scoil Muire agus Pádraig.

“I struggled with some subjects in school but I loved learning languages and making friends. I did some work experience in school with the Gateway Hotel and then Mayo Roscommon Hospice but I went straight from doing my Leaving Cert Applied to National Learning Network in Castlebar,” he said.

“I found it easy as some of my old friends from school were here. I also liked the pace you can go at our own pace, and I like the course work. The instructors are so nice, and they understand where you are coming from and work with you to bring out your best,” he added.

Matt is currently doing the Autism Support course known as The Hub and has been supported to do a work placement with bargain retailer Mr. Price.

“I love working in retail you can make friends and you get to work directly with customers. I hope that I can find a job in retail when I finish my course,” he said.

“I feel my time on the course has given me all of the skills I need to get a job and I would say to anyone who was thinking of starting to come here you are understood and the instructors will talk through what you need and what you want to do and support you all the way,” he added.

“One of my greatest achievements has been passing my driver theory test first time. I achieved this by practising road signs with NLN staff and practising the driver theory test on my own at NLN. I want to own my own car someday maybe a Tesla,” he said.

If you or a member of your family is autistic and looking for an autism friendly route to pursue your career goals, call into the National Learning Network Centre, Castlebar, on April 5, meet the staff and find out how they support autistic students to gain qualifications, progress to further education, get jobs and pursue careers.