Our Mission
To promote empowerment, through support, advocacy, signposting and information to neurodiverse individuals to enable them to reach their full potential.
Our Vision
We plan to bring an information support hub under one umbrella to help and support families and individuals navigate the assessment process, diagnosis, educational, employment and support services available for those who have neurodivergent needs.
Our Story
Causeway Neurodiversity was founded in 2022 to address the marked absence of support and information services for neurodiverse individuals in the Causeway Coast area. This has a serious impact on the well-being of individuals and their families. Professionals working with neurodiverse children, adults and their families also find the current lack of support frustrating and detrimental to the potential of those affected.
The formation of this new charity has been steered by Sara Jane O’Donnell, a multidisciplinary team social worker and a mother of a neurodiverse daughter, Yvonne King a founding members of Parents Unite and Kaye Cormack, founder/Project Manager of Phoenix ADHD Project.
We plan to bring an information support hub under one umbrella to help guide families and individuals through the minefield of the assessment process, diagnosis, educational and support services available for those with Autism, ADHD, and associated conditions. At present we are at the planning stage, reaching out to neurodiverse individuals, their families, professionals, and community representatives who have an interest in developing support services in the area. Over te summer months in 2022 we ran five events throughout the Causeway area enabling us to connect with families. Since January 2023 we have been two running monthly drop-in sessions, one the evening and one in the morning in Coleraine and one in Ballymoney.
MEET THE TEAM
Sara Jane O’Donnell
Chairperson
A qualified social worker since July 2007. Have worked with children since this time in all my roles. Causeway Neurodiversity was developed through my role as a multi disciplinary social worker within primary care. My role now is a SEN project manager within the Trust. I also have a child who is neurodivergent and a statement of educational needs. I am very passionate about early intervention and sees this as key to providing support, advice and information to families.
Yvonne King
chairperson
Mum to two amazing young people who have taught me more about life the universe and everything, more than I could ever hope to teach them. Saturated in the life and times of neurodivergence for the past 15 years from parenting and inclusion, to education.
Delighted to be part of our amazing community.
Darren Stevenson
Treasurer
My name is Darren Stevenson, I have worked in accountancy for over 20 years. I was keen to become involved with Causeway Neurodiversity as I have 2 young children who are neurodivergent. I wanted to connect with other parents and children on a similar journey to ours.
Catherine GaulT
Director
Laura McClure
Director
A qualified teacher, who has supported children and young people with Special Educational Need and Disabilities (SEND) for over 20 years. She is passionate about effective and timely support for children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and other co-occurring needs. Laura has a PGDip in SEND, is a member of the nasen NI SEN Advisory Group, a NAPLIC Committee member, an RADLD Ambassador and she has just been recently elected to the NASUWT Special Education Advisory Committee.
Leah MartiN
director
Susan O’Neill
director
I’ve been an Occupational Therapist for 10 years, with most of my experience in learning disabilities and special education. I hold a diploma in Sensory Integration and have completed specialised training in Sensory Attachment Intervention. I’m particularly passionate about trauma-informed therapy and reflex integration, always striving to find innovative ways to support neurodiverse individuals and their families.
As someone who is dyslexic, I bring a deep empathy and understanding to my work, which drives my dedication to helping families on their neurodiversity journeys. My commitment to “thinking outside the box” led me to establish Causeway OT in 2022, where I’ve found my true passion in making a difference in the lives the children and young people I work with.
I’m truly honoured to be a board member at Causeway Neurodiversity and to work alongside an amazing team as we pursue our shared mission.
Nicola Rowles
director
Chris McNicholL