Autastic

03/09/2026

29/08/2026

26/08/2026

ASD Football Friends ⚽

Tuesday 25th August | Butler Community Centre 📍

For children aged 6-16 on the autism spectrum.

Contact Colin Power for details at [email protected] 💻

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25/08/2026

Mainstream education doesn’t suit all brains 🧠 From age 16 NLN is one of the alternate education pathways which may suit Neurodivergent teens and adults.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

You can achieve leaving cert standard qualifications through more supportive and practical skills.

Small classrooms
Resource teacher
Psychological supports
In-house Autism support service

Choose from four different courses -
Office Skills
Retails Skills
Catering Skills
Employment Ready Skills

Use this as a stepping stone into employment or a PLC course or University.

REHABILITATION TRAINING:

If your child may need more significant supports or has an intellectual disability, they also have the Options Programme from age 18. It’s an appropriate course to lead onto Vocational Training or a Day Service. Discuss with your Disability Officer during profiling the year before they leave secondary school.

QQI Level 2&3 modules
Independent living skills
Social skills

Head along tomorrow to view the building, talk to the staff and find out more about their programmes and supports.

NLN

24/08/2026

As part of our commitment to making Harvest Festival accessible and enjoyable for people of all abilities, we’re delighted to welcome Autism Friendly Waterford and Nua Healthcare back to the festival this year 💙

✨ Two sensory units will be available throughout the weekend:

🧩 Autism Friendly Waterford – Parent & Child Sensory Hub
📍 City Square Shopping Centre, upstairs

A quiet, calming space for children and families who may feel overwhelmed during the festival. Simply call in and ring the number on the door, or pre-book by emailing [email protected].

🌈 Nua Healthcare – Mobile Sensory Unit
📍 Corner of O’Connell St & Gladstone St

Available for drop-ins throughout the weekend, Nua’s specially designed mobile unit offers a calm, welcoming and engaging sensory environment where individuals can regulate, explore and enjoy a sensory experience in a safe and supportive space.

🅿️ Accessible Parking
A limited number of parking spaces will be available for people with additional needs at Bolton St Car Park for the duration of the festival.

🍴 Harvest Kitchen Seating
A limited number of seats will also be reserved at our Food Demonstrations for people with additional needs, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy and take part in these popular events.

💙 Autism Friendly Waterford, launched in 2023, is working to make Waterford a fully inclusive city where neurodiversity is welcomed and celebrated.

Nua Healthcare provides specialist care and support services to children and adults with complex needs across Ireland. Their Mobile Sensory Unit brings accessible sensory experiences directly into communities and events.

We’re proud to have both organisations supporting Harvest Festival and helping us create a festival where everyone can feel welcome, included and able to enjoy the weekend. 💙

19/08/2026

Regional Rare Disease Symposium | Cork | 2 September 2026

A fantastic opportunity for members of the rare disease community, particularly those in the South and South-West, to come together in Cork this September.

This event entitled 'Advancing Rare Disease Care Through Partnership, Research and Innovation' will be hosted by the National Rare Diseases Office (NRDO) which is Ireland's coordination hub for rare conditions.

📍Cork University Hospital
📅Wednesday 2 September 2026
⏰10:30 – 16:00.

The symposium will bring together people living with a rare disease, patient advocates, clinicians and healthcare professionals.

Please see the attached flyer with the programme for the day.

For those of you who would like to attend, the registration link is available here:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/regional-rare-disease-symposium-nrdo-south-west-health-region-tickets-1995077776335?aff=oddtdtcreator

19/08/2026

11/08/2026

Join us for a fun-filled Sensory Play Morning this coming Friday! 🌈💛

Little ones can explore, play and discover at their own pace in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

We’ll also be joined by members of the Autism Friendly Waterford committee, who’ll be there for a friendly chat and to answer any questions you may have. 💙

We’d love to see you there!