Reflexology is a safe, non-invasive therapy that works on different points on the feet that relate to the body’s organs and systems. Using specific techniques on a regular basis can help bring the body back into balance and help regulate the nervous system.

It promotes the secretion of endorphins (the happy hormones), which can reduce pain and produce a feeling of well-being. It can help decrease anxiety and emotional overwhelm, aid sleep, and digestive issues such as constipation and tummy pains caused by stress. Reflexology can help treat sensory processing difficulties and can promote communication and emotional growth.

During this presentation, Fiona will share some tips and techniques on how you – parent/caregiver or teacher/SNA – can support your child’s regulation on a daily basis.

When:       Thursday 28th May, 2026

Where:      The Shine Centre, Carrigaline, Co Cork – P43 E392

Time:          7pm – 8pm

Cost:           €8.00 p.p

Who facilitates the programme

Deirdre Kenny is a qualified Art Therapist who runs the the Art Therapy Programmes at the Shine Centre. She strives to provide a safe, supportive environment for children, adolescents through an intuitive and person-centred approach to create  a calm space for self-expression and healing. And also have some fun and laughter along the way!

​Deirdre is a fully registered member of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists and works in accordance with their professional code of ethics.

Start Date:      15th May, 2026

Age Group:        8 to 11 years

Time:                4.45pm-5.45pm

Venue:              Shine Centre, Carrigaline, Co Cork P43 E392

Duration:        6 weeks

Cost:                  €120.00

Time:      6pm-8pm

Format: In person

Venue:   The Shine Centre, Carrigaline, Co Cork (P43 E392)

What the presentation will cover:

Aoife and Colette will share knowledge & tips on supporting your child’s communication, including key information about Gestalt Language Processing, using AAC and visuals, supporting your child’s play and modelling language for your child.

Aoife is a Speech and Language Therapist with the Children’s Disability Network Team. In her role, she aims to provide support for parents, teachers and others in a child’s world, through promoting understanding of the child’s individual communication needs. She aims to help those in the child’s life support their communication development through play and every day routines, so that positive relationships can be fostered.

Colette is a Senior Speech & Language Therapist with over 20 years of experience working in a variety of settings. For the past four years Colette has been working in a primary care autism post. This role involves creating and delivering new neuro-affirming primary care pathways for autistic children across Cork & Kerry. Colette has both a personal and professional interest in supporting autistic children and their families so that everyday life can be more enjoyable for the whole family and parents can fully enjoy their remarkable autistic children.

We would kindly ask that if you book a place you commit to coming to the presentation, otherwise other who want to attend may miss out.

Thank You

]]> https://educate.shineireland.com/course/teen-yoga-mindfulness-2/ Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:35:56 +0000 https://educate.shineireland.com/?post_type=product&p=5334 Teen Yoga & Mindfulness Read More »

The core philosophy behind Rachel’s practice, and indeed the CONTiGO approach, is to foster growth and address developmental needs in a manner that is inherently natural, engaging, and enjoyable for children. By integrating the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors with structured occupational therapy techniques, Rachel creates a dynamic and supportive space where children can thrive.

When: 20^th November, 2025

Time: 6.30pm-8pm

Where: The Shine CentreCost: €15 p.p.

• When:    Wednesday 29th October, 2025
• Time:      10.30am to 2pm
• Where:    The Shine Centre Carrigaline, Co Cork (P43 E392)
• Age:         8 – 12 years old.
• Cost:        €20 per child.

Siblings of autistic children can have their own challenges, emotions, and concerns and sometimes these needs can be unintentionally overlooked. So, we want to dedicate a day to these fantastic kids where the focus is totally on them.

A safe space where they can just be themselves and:

• Meet other sibs
• Bake, cook, draw, play some games, laugh and have lots of fun!!
• Talk about the good and not-so-good parts of being a sibling with others who “get it”
• Explore some emotions and listen to how other siblings handle those situations.

The programme coordinator is Ellu Cooney, with Shine team member Kieran McAuliffe  facilitating the workshop.

About the Team:

Ellu Cooney:

Ellu is the Support & Training Coordinator at the Shine Centre and she has extensive experience of working with autistic children, siblings and their parents. Ellu previously worked for 10 years as a class teacher in a Shine Early Intervention class.   Ellu holds a BSc in Psychology and a Masters in Positive Psychology & Coaching from University College Cork and is a member of the Association for Coaching (AC).

Kieran McAuliffe:

Kieran holds a Masters in Coaching  & Coaching Psychology. He is also a coach on the Gateway Programme and a member of the International Association for Coaching (AC). 

Starts:  07th October, 2025

During this 4-week course teens will learn relaxation techniques through mindfulness tasks and breathing techniques. They will also learn some simple yoga poses that will help them create a sense of self-regulation.  This is a small class held in a calm relaxed environment. All participants are encouraged to join in in all activities, however they can work at their own pace and take breaks in between if needed.

Dates:

Tuesday: 07/10/2025

Tuesday: 14/10/2025

Tuesday: 21/10/2025

Tuesday: 28/10/2025

Time: 5.30-6.15 pm

Cost: 60eur (4 classes)

Prerequisites for this programme:

• Able to sit and maintain focus on the instructor.
• Take direction and follow instructions.
• Respects personal space and displays appropriate physical contact boundaries
• Exhibits non-aggressive peer communication and interactions

This programme is facilitated by Jen Ormond

About Jen

My name is Jen and up to recently I worked as a class teacher in the Shine Early Intervention classes for over 10 years and I am also a home tutor. I first started doing yoga therapy back in 2021 after completing my training in children’s and teen yoga and mindfulness as I wanted to focus on yoga techniques to help parents and teachers to assist children with additional needs in the classroom and at home. I also currently run weekly yoga sessions in Kinsale on a 1:1 basis for neurodiverse children and teens and I also run yoga workshops in the Down Syndrome Centre in Cork and with families on a 1:1 basis.

When: 29th September, 2025

Time: 6.30pm -8.00 pm

Where: The Shine Centre

Cost: €15.00

This presentation for parents only introduces yoga for autistic children and teens.

The course will cover:

• Developing an understanding of how to use yoga in bringing the physical and emotional body into balance.
• Regulation tools.
• Breathing techniques.
• Story massage/ using nursery rhymes, props, songs and stories.
• Understanding how yoga can be used to restore health and well- being, improve digestion and enhancing immune function.
• Understand the use of yoga as a daily “sensory diet”.

Children with Autism can often present a state of low or high energy, therefore are usually in a disorganised state.

Benefits and aims of this therapeutic practice include:

• Developing head and neck control
• Improving motor planning and control
• Improved self-awareness in both body and mind
• Developing the ability to self-regulate
• Improving immune function
• Improving quality and quantity of sleep
• Enhancing respiratory ability and capacity
• Enhancing a sense of wellbeing, calm and peace

About Jen

My name is Jen and up to recently I worked as a class teacher in the Shine Early Intervention classes for over 10 years and I am also a home tutor. I first started doing yoga therapy back in 2021 after completing my training in children’s and teen yoga and mindfulness as I wanted to focus on yoga techniques to help parents and teachers to assist children with additional needs in the classroom and at home. I also currently run weekly yoga sessions in Kinsale on a 1:1 basis for neurodiverse children and teens and I also run yoga workshops in the Down Syndrome Centre in Cork and with families on a 1:1 basis.

When: 23^rd of October, 2025

Time: 6.30-8.00pm

Venue: Shine Centre (Carrigaline)

Cost: €20.00

Sleep talk

Sleep challenges are one of the most common struggles faced by autistic children, teens and adults and one of the most exhausting for families. In this 1.5-hour presentation, autism consultant and additional needs sleep specialist Laura Crowley will explore the common issues for Autistic individuals,  including difficulties with settling, night waking, early rising and anxiety-driven sleep patterns.

This talk is suitable for parents and carers of autistic individuals of all ages. It will provide practical, neuroaffirmative strategies that are realistic to implement in everyday family life. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of why sleep can be such a challenge in autism, alongside achievable solutions to support more restful nights and calmer days.

About Laura:

Having amassed over 25 years experience in the field of autism, I have encountered many different sleep issues. In 2021 I decided to further my training and specialise in the area of sleep for children with additional needs aged 3 years and above.

As a mother to an autistic child who struggled with sleep for the first three years of her life, I intimately understand the challenges faced by families in similar situations. What sets me apart is my personal connection to autism, as I am autistic myself, enabling me to truly empathise with both parents and children alike.

As an Additional Needs Sleep Practitioner, I not only bring my sleep science training but also my extensive knowledge of autistic strengths, challenges and learning styles. I also bring a wealth of knowledge in the area of anxiety, which is a common stressor for sleep disturbances. I am a fully accredited sleep practitioner, trained by The Sleep Charity in the UK and a member of the British Sleep Society. My methods prioritise the child’s well-being, moving at a pace that feels comfortable for both the child and the parent. If you’re seeking expert guidance and compassionate support for your child’s sleep struggles, I am here to help, as the first and only dedicated additional needs sleep consultant in Ireland.

Start Date: 27th September, 2025

Time: 10am – 12pm

Venue: Shine Centre Carrigaline

Cost: €95.00

The Saturday Club is a 5 week programme for young people aged between 7 -9  years of age with good receptive language skills.  The Saturday Club is a relaxed social space where the kids can interact and adapt at their own pace.There is a focus on physical and emotional wellbeing and creativity. This is a safe social space where the participants can have fun, interact, talk to each other and share group and paired tasks together.

Activities will include:

• baking
• gardening
• arts & crafts
• life skills
• social skills development
• friendship skills
• basic physical fitness exercises

Dates:

The Saturday Club will run every two weeks as follows:

• Saturday 27th September, 2025
• Saturday 11th October, 2025
• Saturday 25th October, 2025
• Saturday 08th November, 2025
• Saturday 22nd November ,2025

The programme coordinator is Ellu Cooney, with Shine team members Kieran McAuliffe, Damian Murphy and Viktoria Conway facilitating the sessions.

About the Team:

Ellu Cooney:

Ellu is the Support & Training Coordinator at the Shine Centre and she has extensive experience of working with autistic children. adolescents and their parents. Ellu previously worked for 10 years as a class teacher in a Shine Early Intervention class.   Ellu holds a BSc in Psychology and a Masters in Positive Psychology & Coaching from University College Cork and is a member of the Association for Coaching (AC).

Damian Murphy:

Damian works as a Tutor in Shine’s Early Education classes. He holds degrees in Recreation & Leisure and   Montessori Education and H-Dip in Coaching & Coaching Psychology from UCC. Damian is an accomplished marathon & triathlon runner and also holds a level 1 Boxing Coach accreditation.

Kieran McAuliffe:

Kieran holds a Masters in Coaching  & Coaching Psychology. He is also a coach on the Gateway Programme and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the International Association for Coaching (AC). 

Viktoria Conway:

Viktoria is a qualified Activities Coordinator and an Arts & Crafts Instructor. She is also an avid gardener and hillwalker.

If you need any further information, please contact Ellu at  ellu.cooney@shineireland.com