Middletown Centre for Autism
Middletown Centre for Autism is a North–South educational initiative and was established in 2007 with funding provided by the Department of Education (DE), Northern Ireland and the Department of Education and Skills (DES), Ireland.
Based in Middletown, Co. Armagh the purpose of the centre is to support the promotion of excellence in the development and co-ordination of education services to children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Special Education Support Service (SESS) will facilitate teachers from the Republic of Ireland working with pupils with ASDs in accessing specific courses through the provision of travel and subsistence costs. In addition, substitute cover may be available for teachers with primary responsibility for children with ASD and where it is deemed essential by the Principal.
List of courses
The following is the list of Middletown courses for which SESS provides Travel and Subsistence:
| Date | Topic | Trainer(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th Oct. 2012 | 'PEP-3 Psychoeducational Profile 3rd Edition' | Lorraine Scott | Centre for Autism Middletown, Armagh |
| 20th Oct. 2012 | 'Autism Innovative Practice in Education Outcomes and Needs in Later Adolescence and Adulthood' | Professor Patricia Howlin | The Clock Tower, Dublin |
| 19th Nov. 2012 | 'Autism, Mental Health and Managing Anxiety' (Day 1 of 2-day course) | Dr Fiona McCaffrey | Centre for Autism Middletown, Armagh |
| 30th Nov. 2012 | Middletown Masterclass: 'ASD, Education and Girls' | Dr Jacqui Ashton Smith | Belfast Education and Library Board Autism Service, Fortwilliam |
| 1st Dec. 2012 | 'Girls and Women on the Autism Spectrum' | Dr Jacqui Ashton Smith | Sheraton Hotel, Athlone |
| 3rd Dec. 2012 | 'Autism, Mental Health and Managing Anxiety' (day 2 of 2-day course) | Frances O’Neill Dr Fiona McCaffrey | Centre for Autism Middletown, Armagh |
| 8th March 2013 | Middletown Masterclass: 'Context Blindness' | Dr Peter Vermeulen | Cork Education Support Centre |
| 9th March2013 | 'Thinking in Autism' | Dr Peter Vermeulen | Absolute Hotel, Limerick |
| 26th April 2013 | 'Autism, Physical Development and Play' | Frances O’Neill, Tish McCann and Shauneen McCusker | Centre for Autism Middletown, Armagh |
| 9–10 May 2013 (2-day Course) | Autism, Mental Health and Managing Anxiety | Fiona McCaffrey | Dublin |
| 1th May 2013 | Attention Autism | Gina Davies | Strule Arts Centre, Omagh |
To secure a place on the above listed courses application should be made directly to Middletown, using the on-line system.
Click here to apply to Middletown
Application Process
Teachers should apply directly to Middletown Centre for Autism using their on-line system. Where a teacher indicates on the application form that travel, subsistence and substitution is required Middletown Centre for Autism will forward the application to the SESS for consideration on the applicant's behalf. Middletown Centre for Autism will be informed as to the outcome of the application. SESS will also correspond with each individual applicant as to their request regarding the provision of travel, subsistence and substitution.
Rates for travel and subsistence Rates for travel and subsistence are provided in accordance with standard DES training rates, outlined below. Participant claims forms for travel and subsistence will be made available on the day of the course. Travel allowances will be paid on the basis of bus or train fares or if such transport is not available or would be more expensive, on the basis of private car mileage allowance at a rate of: 27.22 cent per mile or 16.92 cent per km where the return journey to the venue each day is greater than 20 miles from home or school, whichever is nearer to the venue. The overnight allowance is €25.71 per night, including breakfast. This is payable on the basis that overnight stays occur only where unavoidable and all receipts are attached. |