MARY Immaculate College (MIC) and the Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA) have marked a decade of partnership and impact in autism education, celebrating their pioneering cross-border collaboration.
The partnership brought together expertise from MIC’s Educational Psychology, Inclusion, and Special Education (EPISE) Department and MCA to develop the innovative Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies (GCAS). Since its launch in the 2016/17 academic year, the programme has become a cornerstone of high-quality autism provision across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Defined by its flexible blended delivery, the college said, the GCAS programme enables professionals to upskill while working, with a strong emphasis on real-world impact. A key differentiator is the central role of the autistic voice, with programme content shaped by lived experience alongside current research and best practice.
Odhran Hayes-Brennan, who was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 16, reflected on his experience of the certificate programme, saying: “At the time, I felt overwhelmed and underprepared to navigate my ‘new normal’. The GCAS programme was both interesting and eye-opening, deepening my understanding not only of the needs of autistic people, but also of our behaviours, coping mechanisms, and the tools and technologies that can support us in education, communication, and managing overstimulation.”
“It has broadened my perspective on how autistic people are perceived, supported, and increasingly celebrated in Irish society, while also helping me reframe my own experiences and equipping me with practical insights for both my personal and professional life.”
Application deadline for this year is June 26.