Staff Grade Occupational Therapist

Neurodiversity Ireland; Dublin; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shadow assessments and therapy shadow

Structured learning opportunities

Regular supervision and reflective-pri

Specialist neurodiversity-affirming OT

Job summary

Neurodiversity Ireland in Sandymount, Dublin, seeks a Staff Grade Occupational Therapist to provide neurodiversity-affirming OT supports prioritising autonomy and safety. The role focuses on child-led participation, sensory regulation, and trauma-informed care, with opportunities to grow skills and contribute to a learning-focused team.

The role welcomes applicants eager to learn; experience in nervous system regulation or PDA-informed practice is not required but interest is essential.

Qualifications

• Registered occupational therapist with degree in OT.
• Demonstrated commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practice.
• Interest in sensory processing, nervous system regulation and PDA-informed approaches.

Responsibilities

• Perform neurodiversity-affirming OT assessments focusing on sensory processing and regulation.
• Deliver child-led, autonomy-supportive OT sessions.
• Shadow Senior OT during sessions and assessments.
• Lead sensory regulation groups and individual therapy sessions.
• Develop OT programmes that support nervous system regulation and emotional safety.
• Collaborate with families, schools and multidisciplinary team.
• Prepare reports and recommendations with neurodiversity-affirming language.
• Engage in reflective supervision and ongoing learning.
• Support development of resources and group programmes aligned with values.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Collaboration

Reflective practice

Autonomy support

Neurodiversity knowledge

Child-led therapy

PDA/trauma-informed interest

Education

BSc Occupational Therapy

MSc Occupational Therapy

Job description

Job Title: Staff Grade Occupational Therapist

Location: Sandymount, Dublin

Contract Type: Full-time

Salary: Aligned with HSE Staff Grade Occupational Therapist pay scale

About the Role

Neurodiversity Ireland is seeking a compassionate and curious Staff Grade

Occupational Therapist to join our team in Sandymount, Dublin. This role is ideal for an

OT who is deeply interested in neurodiversity-affirming, child-led and trauma-informed

practice and who wants to grow their skills in supporting neurodivergent children and

young people, including those with a Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA) Profile.

This is a supportive, learning-focused role where reflective practice, nervous system

regulation and relational safety are prioritised. We welcome applicants who are eager

to learn. Experience in nervous system regulation or PDA-informed practice is not

required, but genuine interest and openness are essential.

Role Purpose

The Staff Grade OT will provide neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy supports

that prioritise autonomy, safety and connection. Therapy support will be child-led,

strengths-based, and grounded in an understanding of sensory processing, regulation

and emotional safety.

The therapist will support children and young people to participate in meaningful

occupations in ways that honour their neurotype, reduce distress and build authentic

engagement rather than compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic, neuroaffirmative occupational therapy assessments that explore sensory processing, regulation, participation and environmental fit.
• Plan and deliver child-led, autonomy-supportive therapy sessions tailored to each young person’s needs and interests.
• Shadow and learn from the Senior Occupational Therapist during therapy sessions and assessments.
• Facilitate sensory regulation groups and individual therapy sessions.
• Develop and implement OT programmes that support nervous system regulation, participation and emotional safety.
• Collaborate with families, schools and the multidisciplinary team to create predictable and supportive environments.
• Contribute to written reports and recommendations using neurodiversityaffirming language.
• Engage in reflective practice and ongoing supervision to deepen understanding of PDA, sensory needs and trauma-informed care.
• Support the development of resources, workshops and group programmes aligned with Neurodiversity Ireland values.
• BSc or MSc in Occupational Therapy.
• Commitment to neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based practice.
• Interest in child-led therapy and supporting autonomy in therapy sessions.
• Strong communication, empathy, and collaborative working skills.
• Willingness to engage in reflective supervision and ongoing learning.
• Interest in sensory processing and nervous system regulation.
• Experience working with neurodivergent children or young people.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed or relational approaches to therapy.
• Interest in supporting PDAers in ways that reduce distress and enhance safety and predictability.

We strongly encourage applicants who are passionate about learning in these areas,

even if they do not yet have formal experience.

What We Offer

• A highly supportive role working alongside a Senior OT specialising in
• Opportunities to shadow assessments and therapy sessions as part of structured learning.
• A values-driven service that prioritises autonomy, emotional safety, and authentic participation.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice opportunities.
• The chance to develop specialist skills in neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy.

Our Values

At Neurodiversity Ireland, we believe:

• Therapy should be child-led and autonomy-supportive.
• Regulation, safety, and connection come before demands.
• Neurodivergent children do well when environments understand and support their nervous systems.
• Occupational therapy should empower participation without masking or compliance-based goals.