EPV COURSE

Supporting Learners with Additional Needs

Approved by the Department of Education for Extra Personal Vacation (EPV)

EPV Days: 3 EPV days entitlement

Study time: 20 hours of study including time to complete any assessments.

Course fee:  Discounted rate of €45 until 31st May. €70 beyond this date.

Course overview
This course equips educators to create inclusive learning environments for students with diverse needs. Additionally, participants will learn about digital literacy and assistive technologies in the Irish education system and how to integrate digital tools to enhance engagement and accessibility for all learners.
Empty space, drag to resize

€70

Upcoming Courses – Summer 2025

Group A

1st – 13th July 2025

Sold Out

Group B

14th – 27th July 2025

Sold Out

Group C

28th July – 10th August 2025

Sold Out

Group D

11th – 22nd August 2025

By the end of the course, you will:

    • Build awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and explore strategies to create supportive learning environments for students with ADHD.
    • Understand the core characteristics of Autism and explore inclusive teaching methods to support students with autism.
    • Develop an understanding of dyslexia and its impact on learning, and explore practical classroom strategies to support affected students.
    • Gain insight into dyscalculia and discover effective approaches to assist learners in overcoming related challenges.
    • Become familiar with other additional needs, including Developmental Language Disorders (DLD), Down Syndrome, and Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and explore appropriate strategies to support these learners in the classroom. 
    • Examine a range of behavioural challenges and explore how to design classroom environments that foster positive behaviour and engagement.
    • Understand the role of digital literacy in the Irish education system and the importance of assistive technology in supporting diverse learning needs.
    • Explore a variety of digital tools and how to effectively integrate them into classroom practice to enhance learning for all students.

Independent Learning

Support by email and chat

Online Forum

Write your awesome label here.

DES Approved

Learn from experts in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace.

Course Content

Module 1 - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism

This module aims to enable participants to:
  • Develop a deeper awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and implement strategies for creating supportive learning environments.
  • Understand the key characteristics of Autism and apply inclusive teaching methods to support students with autism.


Module 2 - Dyscalculia and Dyslexia 


This module aims to enable participants to:
  • Develop an understanding of dyslexia and its impact on student learning, and explore practical classroom strategies to support affected learners.
  • Gain insight into dyscalculia and identify effective approaches to assist students in overcoming associated learning challenges.

Module 3 -  Other Additional Needs


This module will enable participants to: 

  • Develop an understanding of other additional needs such as Developmental Language Disorders (DLD), Down Syndrome, and Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and explore and identify appropriate tool and strategies to support learners with additional needs in the classroom.

Module 4 - Behaviour and Learning Environment Management


This module aims to enable participants to:

  • Explore a range of behavioural strategies, such as positive and consistent behaviour management strategies, that promote positive behaviour and support student wellbeing in the classroom, and examine how learning environments can be adapted through effective adaptive teaching techniques to support all learners and to promote inclusivity.

Module 5 - The Use of Digital Technologies to Support Learners with Additional Needs  

The importance of digital literacy in an Irish context by looking at: Digital Strategy for Schools (2027), Being a Digital Learner (2020) and The Guidelines for Primary Schools Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Classes (December 2024) - Highlight different Digital Technologies that are easily accessed and how to use them to support learners with additional needs.

Course Evaluation and Feedback Surveys

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this course entitle me to EPV days?

Yes, it is approved by the Dept. of Education and will entitle you to 3 EPV Days for next year for 1 course and 4 days for the bundle.

How do I access the course I booked?

You will receive an email with login instructions after your payment has been confirmed. 

When can I access the course?

You can access the course anytime between 12am on the first day and 12pm on the last day of your assigned group dates. All coursework and assignments must be completed by the group's end date.
  • Group A: 1st – 13th July 2025
  • Group B: 14th – 27th July 2025
  • Group C: 28th July – 10th August 2025
  • Group D: 11th – 22nd August 2025

If I buy a bundle, when can I access the courses?

You will  select your groups after payment. Bear in mind that you cannot do both courses during the same dates.

You can access the course anytime between 12am on the first day and 12pm on the last day of your assigned group dates. All coursework and assignments must be completed by the group's end date.
  • Group A: 1st – 13th July 2025
  • Group B: 14th – 27th July 2025
  • Group C: 28th July – 10th August 2025
  • Group D: 11th – 22nd August 2025

How long is the course?

10 hours of online learning and 10 hours of additional reading that can be done in your own time and at your own pace.

Is it possible to distribute the 20 hours throughout the summer?

You need to do the course during these dates, and you cannot watch more than 4 hours of online content in 1 day.
  • Group A: 1st – 13th July 2025
  • Group B: 14th – 27th July 2025
  • Group C: 28th July – 10th August 2025
  • Group D: 11th – 22nd August 2025

What are you expected to do to complete the course?

The success of this course will be evaluated by a number of key factors, including:
  • Submission of an assignment after each module (5 assignments in total)
  • At least 2 comments in the online forum per module, at least 100 words.
  • Maintaining a self-reflection journal by keeping track of additional material - this can be used as a future reference after the course

What support is available?

An online facilitator is assigned to each course and will engage with participants in the discussion forum for each module and also in the private message system.  Participants will receive notifications to their personal email when they receive messages within the forum/personal message system.

For technical support:
  • Email support@twinklpd.com
  • Send a private message within the course
  • Technical issues include: passwords, course access, registration, and certificates

How do I access my course completion certificate?

Your certificate will be available in the resources section of your course once:
  • Your assignment has been graded by the course facilitator (usually within 2 weeks of course completion)
  • You have completed all assessments
  • You have contributed two comments to the forum post in each module

Facilitators

Andrea Cooper

Bachelor of Education, Certificate in Online Facilitation.

Sonya Murphy

Bachelor of Arts, H.Dip in Education, Certificate in Online Facilitation

Ciara O'Connor

Bachelor of Education, Certificate in Online Facilitation