I am a lecturer and researcher in University College Cork, Ireland with a particular interest in autism. I have been the recipient of The Digital Champion Award (2016), a Fulbright Scholar (2015), The President's Award (2014) as well as book deals for developing programmes both digital and hard copy for children and adults with autism to address movement skills. I am also a qualified Nurse,Midwife, Sport and Exercise Scientist, Occupational First Aid instructor/Examiner and have completed further post graduate study in Teaching and Learning in higher Education to Masters level (Hons). I have worked both nationally and internationally in all of these fields. As the mother of a young man with autism, I am passionate about addressing quality of life issues for individuals on the spectrum. I have been actively engaged in fundraising particularly for autism and have ran several 10kms, half and full marathons for this purpose.