"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.
