Listowel Autism Friendly Town

23/12/2025

🍴✨This time of year can bring lots of joy and excitement, but Christmas can also bring a feeling of pressure and worry about the unknown.

Christmas dinner can mean a change in routine and pressure to behave in a certain way.

This social visual is designed to offer choice and remind young people that the most important thing is that they feel comfortable.

Resource:
https://www.middletownautism.com/files/shares/Resources/Mon_22nd_Dec_My_Christmas_Dinner_-_social_narrative.pdf

22/12/2025

Wishing our autistic community & all our followers a very happy Christmas 🎄

From our Committee: Cora, Dawn, Máire Logue, Suzanne, Maria, Sharon, Sabrina, Jacqui, Máire Lyons, Michelle, Patrica & Davin 🥰

17/12/2025

Autism friendly Christmas tips 👍

🎄 🎅 🎄 🤶🏼 🎄

16/12/2025

You can claim back the VAT on those Santa gifts 🎅

Did you know that Santa may be entitled to a VAT refund on specific toys that he delivers to children with special needs?

The most common items on Santa’s list are

IPads & tablets

Computers

Apps (communication, speech, etc.)

Eating and drinking aids

Mobility Aids

Communication aids

Specific footwear

The rule for Santa is that the toy must be specifically for your child and assist them in some way for communication or independent living. To strengthen Santa’s application, then, a letter from a therapist /professional/doctor recommending the items makes a huge difference.

Before you ask Santa for this item, you can contact Revenue to check if you can reclaim the VAT and they will inform you of the steps. Santa will also need a specific VAT refund form which you can download on the revenue website.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/vat/repayments-to-unregistered-persons/disabled-persons/reclaim-vat-aids-appliances.aspx #:~:text=You%20may%20reclaim%20Value%2DAdded,made%20on%20Form%20VAT%2061A.

I hope Santa is kind to all our families and I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a great Christmas.

Merry Christmas Everyone,

Allan

15/12/2025

📢 Read all about it 📢

We all love a good news story!

It was a wonderful day at St John's Theatre & Arts Centre on Sunday 14th December, for everyone who attended a concert by Oidhreacht Music School.

We want to give a shout out to Máire Logue & the team who because of their Autism Friendly Town Champion Training, were able to identify families who needed some support.

Máire: “I hauled down the Sensory Box to share with families whose children needed help with sensory differences. It meant that EVERYONE was able to enjoy the concert.”

This is the true meaning of autism awareness & acceptance 👏👏

Thank you 🫶

11/12/2025

💙 It’s okay to be different.

One tree doesn’t look like the others…
and that’s what makes it beautiful. 🌲

This Christmas, let’s teach our children:
✨ Inclusion is love.
✨ Understanding is kindness.
✨ And being different is perfectly okay.

07/12/2025

🚜 🎅 🎄

1 week to go 👍

🚜 ONE WEEK TO GO 🚜

➡️ Sun, Dec 14th at 4pm

➡️ Registration is from 2pm at Listowel Livestock Mart (Tanavalla)

➡️ D & N Catering and The Mall Mug will be there from 2pm.

➡️ ROUTE: Listowel Mart, Listowel Town, Duagh, Abbeyfeale, Athea, Gale Bridge, Moyvane, Tarbert, Glin and concluding in The Knockdown Arms.

➡️ MERCHANDISE: Hats, keyrings, air fresheners etc will be available at the Mart from 2pm.

➡️ A huge word of thanks to all our sponsors and everyone who has supported us so far. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

➡️ We look forward to the support next Sunday and seeing the towns/villages lined with spectators.

DONATIONS ➡️ https://gofund.me/6ea55b584

🎅 Santa and his sleigh will lead this fabulous Christmas spectacle around North Kerry and West Limerick

⭐ LETS LIGHT UP NORTH KERRY AND WEST LIMERICK FOR Abbeyfeale District Search & Rescue - ADSAR. , Nano Nagle Special School Listowel , St. Gabriel's Foundation

06/12/2025

🎅 🎄 🤶🏼 🎄

Listowel Family Resource Centre

03/12/2025

Happy International Day of people with disabilities.

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a global moment to recognise the value, dignity, and leadership of Disabled people in every community. This day invites all of us to reflect on how we can create equitable, accessible, and respectful spaces where Disabled people can participate, belong, and lead without barrier or compromise.
Meaningful inclusion begins with action. Learning about disability, honouring Disabled voices, respecting Disabled spaces, using accessible communication, and engaging with sign language are just some practical commitments that strengthen collective access and belonging. When we listen to Disabled people, amplify their insights, and remove structural obstacles, we build communities where everyone can flourish.
Let today be a reminder that neuroinclusion and disability inclusion are everyday practices. Small, sustained acts of respect and accessibility reshape environments and open possibilities for all.

01/12/2025

❄️ ⛄️ ❄️ ⛄️