Lauren Haire

PSI M10458, B.A. Psychology, Grad Dip. Doctorate Educational Psychologist in Training, Primary School Teacher


Doctorate Educational Psychologist in Training, Primary School Teacher

  • Graduate Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland

Lauren Haire Doctorate Educational Psychologist in Training with University College Dublin. Before working in the area of Psychology, Lauren worked as a primary school teacher registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland (Registration No: 201731).  She is a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (Registration No: M10458).  Lauren has a keen interest in horses and show jumping.

Lauren began her studies in University College Cork, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology in 2012.  Already having a keen interest in education and additional needs at this time, Lauren’s final year thesis concerned literacy, motivation and adolescents with Down syndrome and a moderate intellectual disability.  During this time, Lauren began working on the July Provision summer programme, providing individualised, home-based support to children with Autism and co-occurring needs.  She also began volunteering in Kilkenny with Special Olympics Ireland and the Edmund Rice programme. 

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Following her psychology studies, Lauren achieved a place on the Graduate Diploma in Primary Education with National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Her background in psychology supported her to consider holistic development in education.  Her school placement experiences included schools with DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) status. During this period, Lauren became the Volunteer Officer in the Kilkenny Kats Junior Special Olympics Club and acted as both coordinator and mentor on the Edmund Rice programme for vulnerable children and those with additional educational needs.  She sat on the Central Executive Committee for the National Edmund Rice Trust.

Having achieved a First-Class Honours award in her Graduate Diploma, Lauren took up a post in a Kilkenny primary school with additional provision for children with Autism.  She taught for four years in the mainstream classes, supporting children with a range of needs in collaboration with parents, Special Needs Assistants, Special Education Teachers, and school management.  In 2018, Lauren took up the role as teacher of the senior class for children with Autism.  She thoroughly enjoyed this time and her focus on the whole learner was evident for all in their academic, social, physical, and emotional needs.  She emphasised functional living skills and well-being at school.  During this time, she worked closely with families and with other professionals including Special Educational Needs Officers, Psychiatrists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Educational Psychologists. The position of Special Class Teacher enabled her to engage with very many professional development courses, some of which are listed below.  Lauren loved her time teaching but it is her desire to meet the needs of more families, children and school staff that has led her to Educational Psychology.

Lauren joins us in the EPT clinic having completed a mainstream secondary school-based placement in 2020 as part of her Doctorate studies.  She attributes this placement as key to expanding her knowledge regarding the range of supports available to students in secondary school whether they be well-being or academic in nature.  Outside of her time spent in EPT, Lauren is beginning to research in Pathological Demand Avoidance in children.

 

Qualifications & Training:

 

  • Dorset College: Applied Behavioural Analysis QQI Level 5 2020 (Distinction)
  • Irish Sports Council: Safeguarding 1: Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course 2015
  • St John Ambulance: Occupational First Aid QQI Level 5 2013 (Distinction)
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): Autism and Co-Occurring Additional Needs, Primary & Post Primary 2020
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): An Introduction to Floortime, Primary 2019
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): Autism: A Sensory Perspective, Primary & Post Primary 2019
  • Actualise Academy: Helping Children Understand Anxiety and Promoting Positive Behaviour 2019 (Summer programme of continuing professional development for teachers)
  • Lorraine Lynch Consulting: Working with Children Who Have Experienced Trauma 2019 (Summer programme of continuing professional development for teachers)
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): Pathways to Prevention: 3 Day Seminar 2019
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): TEACCH® Autism Programme: 5 Day Seminar, Primary & Post Primary
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): Social Stories, Primary & Post Primary 2019
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): Social Skills, Primary 2018
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): Challenging Behaviour 2019
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): TEACCH® Autism Programme: 2 Day Seminar, Primary & Post Primary
  • National Council for Special Education (NCSE): An Introduction to Autism, Primary, 4-day 2018
  • Difficulties with Language and Communication 2018 (Summer programme of continuing professional development for teachers)

NEW Neurodevelopmental Assessments in EPT Clinic

In line with international guidelines and research, we are now offering new Neurodevelopmental Assessments. One assessment to identify and support all needs. Interdisciplinary (Psychology and OT or SLT). Team assessment for every child and family from the start.