Pictured L-R: Dr Fiona McCaffrey, MCA Head of Research and Development; Odhran Hayes-Brennan, GCAS graduate; Kayren Hayes, MA in Autism Studies graduate and mother of Odhran Hayes-Brennan; Stephen Douthart, MCA Chief Executive Officer; Kim Maguire, MIC Programme Director and Coordinator; Edel Quinn, MCA Joint Course Coordinator; Majella Nugent, Former Joint Course Coordinator; and Elaine Gleeson, MIC Education Office.
Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and the Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA) marked a decade of partnership and impact in autism education on 9 June, celebrating 10 years of their pioneering cross-border collaboration. Established in 2016, the partnership brought together expertise from MIC’s Educational Psychology, Inclusion and Special Education (EPISE) Department and MCA to develop the innovative Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies (GCAS). Since its launch in the 2016/17 academic year, the programme has become a cornerstone of high-quality autism provision across Ireland and Northern Ireland, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence and lasting impact.
According to Kim Maguire, MIC Programme Director and Coordinator:
"The partnership between MIC and MCA is characterised by clear, complementary roles and stands as a strong example of cross-border innovation in practice. This collaborative approach is evident from initial programme design through to delivery each year, ensuring a high-quality learning experience which is led by the programme team. Fostering an inclusive environment, where students are supported to achieve their full potential, is at the forefront of all those involved in the programmes."
The GCAS programme was designed as a pioneering, practice-led initiative, setting a new benchmark for inclusion and accessibility in autism education. Defined by its flexible blended delivery, it enables professionals to upskill while working, with a strong emphasis on real-world impact. A key differentiator is the central role of the autistic voice, with programme content shaped by lived experience alongside current research and best practice. This, combined with a strengths-based approach, neuro-affirmative language, and a commitment to individualised support, ensures a highly relevant, inclusive and engaging learning experience.
This strong focus on student support has been central to the programme’s success and growth, leading to the introduction of the Diploma in Autism Studies, followed by a Masters in Autism Studies in 2022. Collectively, these programmes are driving excellence in autism practice, with graduates-both autistic and non-autistic-bringing valuable expertise to the education, healthcare, legal and community sectors.
Odhran Hayes-Brennan, who was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 16, reflected on his experience of the certificate programme:
"At the time, I felt overwhelmed and underprepared to navigate my ‘new normal’. The GCAS programme was both interesting and eye-opening, deepening my understanding not only of the needs of autistic people, but also of our behaviours, coping mechanisms, and the tools and technologies that can support us in education, communication, and managing overstimulation. It has broadened my perspective on how autistic people are perceived, supported, and increasingly celebrated in Irish society, while also helping me reframe my own experiences and equipping me with practical insights for both my personal and professional life."
Dr Fiona McCaffrey, Head of Research and Development at MCA, added:
"The MCA’s specialist multidisciplinary and neurodiverse team leads the development of synchronous and asynchronous teaching materials, grounded in a core ethos of co-production, inclusion, and the centrality of the autistic voice. These are delivered using the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), supported by MIC’s recognised expertise and high-quality IT and library infrastructure. Beyond the core partnership between MIC and MCA, the programmes are supported by AsIAm, who have been involved from the outset, contributing valuable insights, including keynote sessions that highlight the lived experiences of autistic adults in Ireland."
The impact of partnership has been recognised at national level. In July 2025, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the Middletown Centre for Autism, where he engaged in a roundtable discussion with the programme team. The partnership, inclusive delivery model, and cross-sector impact of the programmes were highlighted, alongside the achievement of more than 500 graduates in autism studies. The Taoiseach welcomed the initiatives and expressed interest in further development across the education and health sectors, underlining the growing need for specialist expertise.
The partnership has also received significant national recognition, winning Best Community Academic Collaboration at the Education Awards 2024, and being named a finalist for the Overall Excellence Award the same year. Further recognition followed with a finalist placing in the Best Masters Programme category at the Education Awards 2025, and most recently, a nomination for Best Collaboration (Domestic, Public Good, Culture and Social Input) at the Education Awards 2026.
In 2024, four MA in Autism Studies students were invited to a garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin, hosted by President Michael D. Higgins, in recognition of outstanding community impact. The event, themed “Celebrating Communities in All Their Diversities,” highlighted the contribution of community-led initiatives, with some of the invited students having progressed from the Graduate Certificate through to Masters level.
The programmes are led by a highly experienced and collaborative team across MIC and the Middletown Centre for Autism. Kim Maguire (MIC), Programme Director and Coordinator, oversees all three programmes, while Edel Quinn (MCA), Programme Co-ordinator, brings extensive experience from her work in autism training and research. Dr Fiona McCaffrey, Head of Research and Development at MCA, played a key role in establishing the partnership. They are supported by a dedicated team including Dr Rachel Ferguson, Dr Cat Hughes and Kirsten Hurley, alongside Carmel Rainsford, Mark Dunne, Elaine Gleeson, Sharon Fay and Emily Fogarty, who all contribute to the successful delivery of the programmes.
Application deadline for this year is 26 June. Full details are available here.
