“Neuroconvergence: Building a Neuro-affirming Movement”

Host Michele Van Valey speaks with Peter O’Brien, Jody O’Neill, and producer Ian Lawton about Neuroconvergence—a neurodivergent-led movement creating spaces for unity, creativity, and collaboration across Ireland. The conversation covers origins, language (neuro-affirming vs. neurodivergent), what inclusive events look like, and details for the UCD event on Saturday, 18 October.

• Peter O’Brien — Events/festivals producer (Happenings); late-identified ADHD; parent to an autistic, minimally speaking son. Co-initiator of Neuroconvergence.

• Jody O’Neill — Autistic writer/producer; creator of What I Don’t Know About Autism; co-curator and program lead.

• Michele Van Valey — Host; educator and advocate (Neurodiversity Ireland webinars); dyslexic/dyspraxic.

• Ian Lawton — Producer (NeuroHive); autistic/ADHD; behind-the-scenes production.

• Why “Neuroconvergence”: A more neuro-affirming frame than “divergence,” centring community and collaboration.

• From pilot to momentum: A 2024 pilot at Richmond Barracks led to Rethink Ireland support and a scalable model.

• Designing inclusive events: Partners’ roundtables, panels, creative spaces, quiet zones, movement-friendly rooms, embedded access, and “no-shame” participation.

• Community metaphor: Penguins—clumsy on land, graceful in water—illustrate how the right environment lets autistic people thrive.

• Network approach: Charities, artists, academics, families, and late-identified adults co-create next actions beyond talk.

• 12:00–14:00 Partners’ Meeting (private). Facilitator: Michael Donnelly.

• 14:00–18:00 Public Festival: panels (late diagnosis & careers; “Embracing Complexity” university panel), lightning talks, music, spoken word, film, teen games area, DJ space, yoga, breathwork, artist sessions.

• Access: Access coordination by Naomi; visual guides in advance; multiple sensory environments; clear “come and go” policy.

• Get tickets / Propose a lightning talk: neuroconvergence.ie (programme, booking, simple Google Form).

• Can’t make it? Further dates in December and March.

AsIAm, ADHD Ireland, Dyspraxia Ireland, Neurodiversity Ireland; team members include Gillian Kearns (NeuroPride), Adrienne Murphy (advocacy for nonspeakers/spelling to communicate), Al Bellamy (creatively embedded access; curation/production), Naomi (access), Sorca Woods (production/project management).

• On the name: “Neuroconvergence is more neuro-affirmative; it points us toward unity and collaboration.” — Peter

• On community: “A place where nobody questions your presence or how you participate.” — Jody

• On design: “We hold space—partners first, then the community—with multiple rooms and formats so people can self-pace.” — Peter

• On environment: “Penguins on land vs. in water—when the environment fits, we flourish.” — Group

• 00:00 — Intro & what is Neuroconvergence

• 02:30 — Origins: lived experience, late diagnosis, sector frustration

• 08:15 — Why the term “Neuroconvergence”

• 13:15 — Multiplicity of neurotypes; moving beyond boxes

• 16:30 — Richmond Barracks pilot & outcomes

• 23:10 — What “neuro-affirming/neuro-inclusive” looks like

• 26:20 — The penguin metaphor

• 27:50 — UCD event overview (Oct 18)

• 30:00 — Rethink Ireland funding; growth and jobs for neurodivergent artists

• 32:45 — Partnership with UCD; research and scale

• 34:45 — Access notes; visual guides; managing unknowns

• 37:40 — Team dynamics and roles

• 46:45 — Beyond diagnosis categories; common agenda and action

• 49:40 — How to get involved & upcoming dates

• 52:30 — Closing

• Website & Tickets: neuroconvergence.ie

• Instagram: @neuroconvergenceireland

• Podcast hub: On the website under “Podcasts”

• Host: Michele Van Valey

• Guests: Peter O’Brien, Jody O’Neill

• Producer: Ian Lawton (NeuroHive)

• Partners’ Facilitator: Michael Donnelly

• Book UCD 18 Oct tickets, submit a Lightning Talk, or register your organisation as a Partner at neuroconvergence.ie.

• Subscribe to the newsletter for the December and March events.