As requested by Teachers and SNAs, for Teachers and SNAs
Welcome to Education Nation
A service for educators in Irish schools.
Education Nation is a combination of instant, On-demand learning & follow up professional 
support for schools.
It is accessible to Teachers, SNAs and anyone who works with pupils in a school setting who may have additional needs or challenges.
All subscriptions give FULL ACCESS to the on demand courses, which you can share with up to 30 teaching/ support staff in your school*, combined with online peer support as well as direct access to Speech Therapy professionals via online group.
(*If your school has more than 30 teaching staff, you can request extra access codes at no additional cost. It is limited to 30 per school purely for website efficiency.)
It has been compiled based on the feedback from special education teachers, SNAs working in Ireland who have given feedback and suggestions to CATTS Ireland on what would be an Ideal resource to allow them do the best they can supporting their pupils.
If your school has not signed up to this service yet, please click here to see how to access the supports.
Below is a selection of courses currently available and planned.
This service is available to Primary Schools, Preschools, Special and Secondary Level Schools only.
All these courses can be purchased individually on our main site here.
Please see a selection of some of the upcoming and current briefings materials below, or select your school type to view content appropriate for your school setting only:
(If you are in a Special School, or have a dedicated Special Unit within your school,
please use the relevant school level above to access content)
IMMEDIATE HELP!!!
If you have a situation in your school where you need to address an issue or create a support for a pupil with additional needs, the Companion Facebook Group is your First Port of Call. If no one is online at the time, you can ask other teachers and SNA’s for advice, or use our AI to help walk through practical steps to assist. Where we have a micro-briefing or ‘How to’ video to address, it will direct you back to it on Education Nation so you can prepare for the next school day.
Featured Selection of courses, briefings and materials:
Communication Passports
Speech and Language Therapist Marijke Morris outlines what Communication Passports are, how to create them, and why you always need them for children and adolescents with communication difficulties.
ASD Course Series
If you are supporting someone with ASD in any school setting, this comprehensive course pack contains all our ASD courses and will help set you up to support your pupil.
Practical Techniques to help a child’s communication
Children with communication difficulties need extra practice. Typical kids need hundreds of repetitions of a word to learn a word (except for swear words) and kids with communication difficulties often need more than that.
Emotional Regulation
Lets talk about emotional regulation. We all need it. How do you encourage it with someone who has difficulties?
Supporting Children with Speech Sound Disorders in the Classroom
During this course, you will learn - What is a speech disorder - Types of speech disorders - Impacts of having a speech disorder - Causes of speech disorders - Symptoms of speech disorders - How SLTs diagnose speech disorders - What an SLT may prescribe to help a pupil with a speech disorder - What a pupil with a speech disorder needs from their SNA and teacher.
Voice Care for Teachers
Did you know? Teachers are 32 times more likely to report voice difficulties than the average person. 11% of teachers reported a current voice disorder, with 58% experiencing a voice problem during their career. (Nelson 2005) Teachers are 4% of the working population, but compose 20% of patients seen in voice clinics.
Six Steps to Success with GraceApp
How to setup and use GraceApp (also applicable to most AAC Apps and devices).
Mindfulness for Educators 101
You cannot pour from an empty cup. You need to take care of yourself in order to take care of others
Supporting someone with ASD in the classroom
This talk, delivered by Jennifer Grundulis, CATTS Senior Speech & Language Therapist, will cover practical strategies and supports which you can setup in your classroom to assist a pupil with ASD. Jennifer will discuss understanding challenging behaviors, supporting children through transitions, and structuring the environment to support learning. SUGGESTED PRE-REQUISITE Online Course: AUTISM 101
Types of Communication Disorders
Quick overview of the common types of communication issues that can affect pupils in schools
Debriefing what is in an OT report
What goes into an OT report, what to expect to find, what the recommendations mean, and what to ask if you don't see what you need.
AAC Devices 101
AAC Devices. What the term AAC covers, what are the most common ones in use, and how to create general support for an AAC user.
ADHD 101
Short to the point course outlining what ADHD is, how it presents, and key steps you need to take to support a pupil in the classroom who has, or is suspected of having it.
Tips for Language Development
This is a general talk designed to provide information on language development in young children.
Down Syndrome 101
A short introduction to Down Syndrome, what it is, and the most common presentation in children.
Creating, Using & Teaching Visuals
How to do it PROPERLY to help the child in your class communicate with others - AND reduce anxiety and frustration. (For everyone!)
Autism 101
A short, to the point, helpful course in order to quickly get to grips with supporting someone with Autism
