Building Blocks

Building Blocks School Support Service provides advice and support for children with a diagnosis of Autism attending mainstream Primary and Secondary Schools in Cork City and surrounds. The service has been in operation since 2008.

How it Works:

The Building Blocks service targets a range of issues including communication, academic, social skills and anxiety in the school environment. The service is operated by Laura Crowley, BA ECS(hons) MA Ed(Open) who has been working within the area of Autism for the past 18 years. Laura approaches each case individually, and will work to increase skills, and targets specific issues in order to assist the child in moving forward and reaching their full potential. Laura works closely with schools to provide individualised support and guidelines, but can also provide parents with assistance and support.

How to get in Touch:

Building Blocks is a consultative service only and referrals to the service are accepted from both parents and school personnel. Please note that explicit permission must be sought from the other party before the initial contact is made. You can contact Laura at laura.crowley@shineireland.com or alternatively by calling 021-4377052.

This is a waitlisted service and availability is dependent on workload at the time of referral.

Anxiety & Autism with Laura Crowley.

Purpose:

These video presentations take a closer look at how and why children with a diagnosis of autism are more prone to experiencing anxiety. It also examines how anxiety presents in children with autism using the flight, fight, freeze model. While anxiety is not necessarily a feature of everyone with autism, children with autismare more prone to experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Support during change helps to reduce anxiety and preparation can make all the difference! Visual schedules and social stories can help to remove uncertainty from daily life as well as in new or unfamiliar situations. It ͛ s important to explain to the child why something is happening to reduce anxiety levels. This explanation will depend on the child ͛ s language ability. Anxiety can also be reduced through physical activity or by simply reducing the sensory load that the child is experiencing. The following videos will take you through an explanation of what anxiety is and how to better manage it with your child.