Therapists

Bláithín began her experience with Hub 21 as a college student volunteer and has returned as our Occupational Therapist. Bláithín is a CORU registered OT and a member of the AOTI. She graduated from NUI Galway with a BSc. in Occupational Therapy in 2021. Since graduating Bláithín has gained experience on a paediatric complex disability team, in mental health services and brain injury rehabilitation. 

Bláithín’s expertise in paediatric OT includes the assessment and intervention of motor skills development, daily living skills performance and sensory integration. Bláithín is dedicated to working with families to enable children to achieve their potential at home, in school and in the community.

Bríd is a Speech and Language Therapist and is a registered member of The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) and CORU. Bríd obtained an honours degree from Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 2016. She has extensive experience working with children, both in Ireland and internationally.

Bríd has over 4 years’ experience working in the with children with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties including children with Autism, Down syndrome and Intellectual Disability. She has worked in both community care, private practice and disability settings with a special interest in autism spectrum disorders. Bríd is committed to providing high quality evidenced based intervention to children of all ages. 

Caroline Macken qualified as psychotherapist in 2010. She trained in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy at Dublin Counselling and Therapy Centre and is a fully accredited member of IAHIP. . Humanistic and integrative psychotherapy emphasizes a hopeful view of human beings and of their ability to be self-determining and Caroline works from this approach. She also looks to work with all aspects of an individual, body, feelings, mind and spirit.  

Caroline has been involved in various aspects of providing support to the Down syndrome Community, she set up and ran, alongside another parent, a playgroup for Children with Ds following the birth of her daughter. She was involved for a number of years in the initial steering committee for the Down Syndrome Centre North East. 

Deirbhile has over 8 years experience working with children with additional needs in educational and home settings. She holds an honours degree in Education and Training from DCU and is registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland. She is currently working as a substitute teacher in primary schools in autism and mainstream classes. 

Deirbhile has worked in a variety of roles including SNA in mainstream and special schools, early intervention preschool educator, home tutor, life coach for children with additional needs and Out of School Hours Coordinator. She also worked as a support worker supporting families of children with additional needs. 

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Alongside her work in education, she is a yin yoga and breathwork facilitator. She is passionate about creating warm, supportive spaces where children feel a sense of belonging, encouragement, confidence and independence.  

Hannah graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2016 on completion of her degree in Clinical Speech and Language Studies (B.Sc). Hannah has always had an avid interest in child development and communication. Prior to Hannah’s qualification, she worked as a summer camp coordinator, private tutor and volunteered with disadvantaged children while in university.

Her paediatric experience continued immediately post graduation when she worked as a private practice speech and language therapist. Hannah enjoys a diverse working portfolio and is currently in post as a senior speech and language therapist in Monaghan Rehabilitation Unit. She provides assessment and treatment to adults presenting with communication and swallowing needs while overseeing and supervising the day to day service management of the speech and language therapy team. Hannah works as a part time lecturer in the Early Childhood Studies Degree (B.A.) in Dundalk Institute of Technology.  

Julie Brennan is the founder and leader of Sociable Souls. This is a welcoming group dedicated to helping children who find social situations challenging and those who struggle to form bonds with their peer groups. Julie has been guiding and supporting young people since 2015 with this group and started working with Hub 21 in 2022.

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With a MEd in Special Education, a MSc in Behaviour Analysis and 16 years teaching in a specialised setting, Julie bring years of hands-on experience to the sessions.

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Through engaging themed activities—using stories, games, creative tasks, written work, and art—children foster confidence, friendship, and essential social skills in a fun and supportive environment. Sociable Souls is all about helping every child discover their potential and build lasting connections.

Lauren is a CORU-registered Speech and Language Therapist and a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists. She graduated with a BSc in Clinical Speech and Language Studies from Trinity College Dublin, and has completed additional training in Lámh (QQI Level 5, distinction) as well as Gestalt Language Processing (GLP).

Lauren has experience supporting children with a range of developmental needs, including autistic children, along with children who have Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. Her clinical work focuses on areas such as early communication, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) and language development. She also has experience working with children who have differences in eating, drinking and swallowing.

Lauren is committed to providing evidence-based, neuroaffirmative, child-led therapy. She is passionate about offering individualised support to children and their families, and enjoys working with children of all ages.

Niamh joined Hub 21 in March 2026 as an Education Specialist, where she works with school-age children, supporting their learning and development through engaging and supportive sessions.

Niamh graduated from Dublin City University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Education. She later completed a Professional Diploma in Special and Inclusive Education in 2022 and a Master of Education in Autism in 2024. During this time, she was working as a primary school teacher and gained experience teaching in both mainstream and autism class settings.

She currently works as a Special Education Teacher in an autism class and also serves as the school’s SEN Coordinator, supporting inclusive practices and the learning needs of children with additional needs.

Shane has worked as a Music Therapist since qualifying in 2010. In this time, he has specialised in using music to support the development of Children with additional needs.

At Hub 21, Shane provides both one to one and group Music Therapy sessions to Children with Down syndrome. Shane is delighted to be a member of the team at Hub 21. Here his role involves working alongside parents, colleagues from other Allied Healthcare Professions and Early Intervention, to deliver weekly Music Therapy sessions.  As well as working at Hub 21, Shane’s practise takes a special interest in supporting the development of Children with sight-loss and complex healthcare needs.