Kildare County Council 'is supporting neurodivergent people'

Kildare County Council says it is working to ensure that neurodivergent people are fully included across a range of activities, functions and events.

Neurodivergent is a description about how people experience and interact with the world around them.

It refers to the variations in the brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions. It can be described as a brain that functions in ways that diverge significantly from the dominant standards of neurotypical brains. It is an umbrella term for several conditions including but not limited to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

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The term has become popular in recent years as people look to break away from the stigma of clinical terms while still embracing and accepting that their brains work differently to others.

Cllr Peter Melrose told a KCC meeting it should provide designated sensory or quiet spaces; publish information about what attendees can expect proper to events and reduce noise levels and dimmed lighting.

Cllr Melrose also commended the “stellar and thoughtful work already happening in Kildare on supporting neurodivergent members of our community.” He added groups such as Maynooth Autism Friendly Town, who won the autism friendly town award in 2024, Kildare Autism Network and Kildare Access Network and their local branches “work tirelessly to champion the needs of our neurodiverse friends and family.”

He also noted the efforts being made by KCC, especially the library service which provides a “warm, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere, which can provide a haven for neurodiverse families.”

Cllr Pádraig McEvoy said that for example  the enthusiastic hooting of vehicle horns could cease during St Patrick’s Day parades.

“A society that does not include everyone goes down a risky route," he said.

Another councillor, Tracey O’Dwyer said venues such as the libraries have embraced these measures.

According to KCC, it wants to ensure that meetings and events are more accessible and

inclusive.

Libraries have sensory spaces and 360 degree tours and its website helps inform neurodiverse members of the  community what to expect when they visit libraries, all of  which have sensory boxes with aids to help calm and relax. Toys and technology are available for neurodiverse children and adults and there’s a programme of professional supports for teachers, parents  through a specialised programme. 

It’s planned to trial sensory hours where possible in the main libraries in 2025 with the aim of acting on Cllr Melrose’s suggestions  when organising events and activities.

KCC also provides funding  to purchase and upgrade equipment to support the neurodiverse members of the  community. .

KCC will also help festival organisers who are implementing proposals in this area.

It pointed out that the Kildare Sports Partnership takes into account the needs of the participants and their families, providing sensory spaces when necessary and any

other requirements that are needed when events are arranged.