Supporting Autistic Learners in the Classroom: Connection over Compliance, Carlow

What to Expect

This is a two hour evening workshop for educators and school staff, run by the Carlow organisation Autism Heroes at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel. The framing is set out in the subtitle, “Connection over Compliance”, and the session asks teachers to look at neuro-affirmative ways to support autistic students through connection, understanding, co-regulation and responsive practice rather than through behaviour correction.

The organisers describe it as a practical session rather than a theoretical one. It works through examples and strategies that staff can use straight away in a classroom, with the stated aim of building rooms where autistic students feel safe, respected and able to thrive. It runs in the second week of the new school term, which puts it at the point where class groups are still settling and supports are being put in place for the year. The workshop is in-person only and booking is through Eventbrite, where the listing notes that no refunds are offered.

Good to Know

• Thursday 10 September 2026, 7.00pm to 9.00pm
• Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, R93 N207
• Organised by Autism Heroes, a Carlow organisation that funds autism supports locally
• Aimed at teachers, SNAs and other school staff working with autistic learners
• Two hours, in person, with practical classroom strategies
• Ticket price is shown on the Eventbrite listing, and no refunds are offered
• Autism Heroes runs a separate parent support evening at the same hotel on 25 August 2026

Getting There

The Woodford Dolmen Hotel is on the Kilkenny Road (R448) on the southern side of Carlow town, on the banks of the River Barrow, and has a large on-site car park. Drivers coming from Dublin or Waterford should leave the M9 at Junction 5 and follow the signs for Carlow town, then join the Kilkenny Road. For anyone travelling by train, Carlow station is on the Dublin to Waterford line in the north of the town, roughly a fifteen minute drive or taxi hop from the hotel. Town centre bus stops on Barrack Street and Kennedy Avenue are a similar distance.