Judo Assist Ireland Hosts European Autism Conference in Nenagh – Press Release June 2023
Judo Assist Ireland founded and based in Ardcroney, Nenagh is a national and international sporting organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of inclusive programmes specifically designed to encourage physical activity, inclusion, competitiveness and wellbeing to a wide selection of people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities
The core objectives of the organisation are Community & Social Inclusion, Sporting Opportunities and Education, Research & Development. As part of the Education, Research & Development objectives, Judo Assist Ireland is involved in a number EU funded Erasmus+ research projects.
One such project, titled “Physical therapy as a tool for developing social-emotional, non-verbal communication and relationships skills of youngsters with ASD “was the focus of a European Conference hosted by Judo Assist Ireland in Nenagh from the 24th – 27th May.
The conference was organised and presented by Judo Assist’s founder and President James Mulroy and his team of dedicated volunteers, Sean Davitt, Seamus Holland, Annagh Roche and Teresa Mulroy.
The conference was held in the Thomas Bulter suite of the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh and welcomed project partners from Turkey, Greece, Spain, Denmark and Serbia.
The theme of the conference was “Creative Game Creation”. One of the projects objectives is to create an Educational Games Manual for Teachers and Parents of children with autism. In line with the project title the games will be designed to encourage physical activity to promote social-emotional, non-verbal communication and relationships skills of children with ASD.
Judo Assist Ireland are tasked with heading up this part of the project and will develop and collate a number of educational game ideas and produce an international games manual.
Conference host James, comments on the location, facilities and people of Nenagh.
“We are delighted to be part of this life changing project and embrace the challenge to produce a practical, usable tool to help teachers and parents develop new ways of engaging and including children with autism in playful learning.
I have hosted many conferences around the world and I have to say, Nenagh is as good as a location as any place I’ve been before. The Abbey Court Hotel was perfect for our conference location. They accommodated all our guests and supplied the conference facilities which were world class. We brought our guests to Andy’s Gastro Pub in Nenagh to sample some good Irish food and hospitality and it didn’t disappoint, the food and service was second to none. Arra travel, expertly transported our guests from the airport to Nenagh and to our boat trip in Killaloe. Killaloe River Cruises laid on a private boat trip on the Shannon for us, which further showcased the spectacular scenery and hospitality the area has to offer. The good weather also helped a lot. The consistent comments from our travelling guests were in relation to how friendly and welcoming everyone in Nenagh was. We are delighted we decided to hold our conference here”
The conference was an amazing success and a positive example of inclusion, diversity, cultural exchanges, idea sharing and positive human spirit.
The project continues, with an Autism workshop hosted by our Danish Partners in Aarhus, Denmark in August 2023