Autism and the Use of Visual Supports in Mainstream Education

Tracey McGovern is a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at Middletown Centre for Autism. She is skilled in the delivery of early intervention programmes and has a keen interest in multi-agency working from the diagnostic process through to intervention in school and home settings. Tracey has considerable experience in training parents and health professionals in the key issues associated with autism. She has also worked widely with education professionals in multi-agency teams as an integral member of an innovative diagnostic and intervention service.

Claire Smyton is Specialist Teacher in Middletown Centre for Autism and has 20 years’ experience working with autistic children and young people. Prior to this, Claire worked as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator in a Post Primary School.  Claire has also taught in an Autism Learning Support Class, within a Mainstream Primary School and in the Autism Advisory and Intervention Service, as a Support Teacher.  Claire is also a parent of an autistic child.  Through Claire’s experiences as a parent and teacher, she has gained extensive experience in developing and using resources and varied teaching approaches with autistic children and young people. Claire also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Autism and has a particular interest and experience in 'whole school' strategic planning in best autism practice across all settings.