Inclusion, peer based supports, autism, neurodiversity, interprofessional education, collaborative ways of working, participatory research, implementation science

Disability, Speech and Language Development, Clinical Decision-making, Neurodiversity

Michelle O'Donoghue is a researcher whose work centers on advancing inclusive practices for neurodivergent individuals across healthcare, education, and cultural settings. Her research foregrounds the voices of autistic individuals and their families, with a particular focus on those who use minimal or no speech. Through participatory and stakeholder-driven approaches, Michelle designs and evaluates interventions that promote meaningful communication, peer interaction, and systemic transformation.

Michelle is a member of the University of Limerick's Health Research Institute and the Centre for implementation Research UL. She is a co-founder of the Autism@UL Special Interest Group (SIG). The Autism@UL SIG is a network of people and organisations from within UL and across the wider community who share an interest in autism and aim to lead and contribute to initiatives and research focused on supporting inclusion and creating a neurodiversity affirmative environment. Michelle has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist in multidisciplinary teams in New Zealand with a paediatric population in a variety of settings; home, preschool, school-age and the clinic. She held a national position as a facilitator for tips for autism.