Parent Peer Support Groups: Starting This May

We are delighted to share details of a new Parent Peer Support Group series we are launching to support families within the MDI community. These groups, facilitated by Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Laura Gallagher, are being developed to offer a safe, supportive space for parents and guardians to connect with one another, share experiences, and receive guidance on navigating various stages of their child’s journey.

There will be three separate groups, each designed around your child’s age and stage of development:

• Group 1: Parents of children aged 0–6 years

• Group 2: Parents of children aged 7–13 years

• Group 3: Parents of teenagers aged 14–18 years

Each group will include two online sessions held in the evening 7.30pm to 9.00pm, and the first group (0–6 years) will begin in May, with sessions scheduled for 28th May and 18th June. Please note that the content of each session is different, so it is important to attend both to get the full benefit of the programme.

Group 1 will focus on the early stages of your family’s journey, covering key topics such as:

• Receiving and processing a diagnosis

• Responding to questions from others and thinking about how and when to speak with your child about their diagnosis

• Navigating the early school years and system supports

• Emotional support and space for parents to reflect and connect

These sessions will offer both therapeutic support and guided discussions on issues that are most relevant to your child’s current age and developmental stage.

Who can attend:
Parents, guardians and grandparents are welcome. We hope this will be a space where extended family members can also feel included and supported.

What about older age groups?
Please rest assured that groups for parents of children aged 7–13 and 14–18 will follow in August and September, so all families will have access to a group relevant to their needs. More information on those sessions will be shared in the coming months.

If you would like to express your interest in attending the May–June group please register here, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Gillian at respite@mdi.ie.

A Note on Support and Staying Connected

We understand that topics covered in these sessions may bring challenging emotions. Our aim is to create a space that feels supportive and safe — and one that doesn't have to end when the session does. To help maintain the connections formed and to continue the conversation beyond the sessions, we will offer the option for participants to join a WhatsApp forum. This will be a private, informal space for those who wish to stay in touch, share experiences, and support one another. Please note this group will not be facilitated or monitored by Dr Gallagher Participation in the WhatsApp group is completely optional and will be open only to those who attend the sessions and wish to opt in.