Founder & Executive Director

Bernadine Smith is the Founder and Executive Director of Flourish Autism Consultancy and Training. With over 30 years’ experience supporting children and families, Bernadine is a nationally respected leader in early childhood education, inclusive community practice, and neuroaffirmative Autism support.

A graduate in Early Childhood Education, Bernadine is the proprietor of Small World Preschool and Afterschool Care, where she has led the development of inclusive, play-based learning environments grounded in dignity, autonomy, and child-led connection. She is also the founder of Little Butterflies Arch Club, a voluntary community organisation offering meaningful, neuro-affirming supports to Autistic children, and their families.

Bernadine’s work is guided by a deep commitment to compassionate, relationship-based support for the Autistic community. She is known for her practical, family-focused approach and for creating environments where all individuals feel safe, accepted, and empowered.

Bernadine founded Flourish to create a trusted, inclusive platform where families, professionals, and communities can access practical, neuroaffirmative support. Her vision is to advance inclusive practice across education, community, and professional sectors, ensuring that Autistic individuals are understood, valued, and supported to flourish.

Director of Autism Advocacy & Professional Practice

Amanda McGuinness is the Director of Autism Advocacy & Professional Practice at Flourish Autism Consultancy and Training, an Autistic Advocate, and an Autism & Visual Supports Specialist. She is also the founder of Little Puddins-Autism Support and Education. A Law graduate, she is currently completing a Master’s in Childhood Speech, Language and Communication Needs at the University of Galway, where she serves on the Programme Board for the undergraduate Speech and Language Therapy degree.

Amanda has held senior roles within the Autism sector, including serving as both a Board Member and the Prepare Me AsIAm Manager for AsIAm – Ireland’s National Autism Charity. In these capacities, she developed national Autism resources, professional training programmes, and strategic supports for Autistic individuals, their families, educators, and clinicians. She sits on several Autism focused working groups contributing to the development of national policy, practice guidelines, and service design for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

Her professional collaborations extend to schools, healthcare providers, community organisations, and national bodies, and she delivers keynote presentations and Autism training both nationally and internationally. An external reviewer for an international Autism organisation, Amanda contributes to shaping global standards in inclusive and neuroaffirmative practice. She is widely recognised for her expertise in visual supports and identity-affirming approaches, underpinned by both lived and professional experience.

Through Little Puddins, Amanda created the “Auti” character to promote understanding of the Autistic lived experience. Her advocacy and educational work have been widely featured in Irish national media, including RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, Virgin Media Television, News Talk, and multiple national print and online publications. She is also the host of the Unfiltered Autistic podcast, where she facilitates in-depth discussions on Autistic identity, advocacy, and neuroaffirmative practice.

Amanda’s work is guided by the belief that Autistic individuals should be supported to thrive across the lifespan through evidence-informed, identity-affirming, and inclusive approaches. Further information on her advocacy and resources can be found at littlepuddins.ie.

Head of Community Support Services

Ger Kenny is a nationally recognised advocate for Autistic children and teens together with their families.

With over two decades of professional experience, Ger is widely respected for her commitment to developing practical, community-embedded supports that are grounded in neuroaffirmative values.

She is the co-founder of Little Seeds Arch Club, an initiative that supports Autistic children, teenagers, and young adults, alongside their families. Ger also established PLAN – Parent Led Autism Network, offering direct, educational supports to families navigating daily life as advocates for their Autistic family members.

Her work is deeply relational, informed by lived experience, and reflects her ongoing partnership with TUSLA in supporting Autistic individuals and families through inclusive, strength-based approaches.

At a national level, Ger has played a pivotal role in guiding parent-led groups to establish their own local networks, amplifying family voice and agency.

She is also the founder of ACE – Autism Clubs and Education, a professional development collective that equips early years educators, teachers, and community leaders with the knowledge and tools to deliver affirming, inclusive practice across education and club settings.

Ger is recognised for her ability to bridge grassroots advocacy with systemic change. Her work continues to shape more compassionate, inclusive environments where Autistic individuals and their families are understood, empowered, and supported to flourish.

Adrienne Keely is a passionate advocate in the disability and inclusion sector, with over eight years of experience working in the early years arena. Her professional path has been informed by a deep commitment to supporting neurodivergent children and their families, and by her dedication to advancing inclusive, rights-informed practices.

Early in her career, Adrienne worked directly in early childhood education settings, where she quickly became a trusted guide for families navigating access to supports. She took a leadership role in local disability advocacy, assisting families in form‑filling, entitlements, and service navigation. Her commitment to dignity and neuroaffirmative support led her to focus on dismantling prejudice and systemic barriers.

In recognition of her advocacy and leadership, Adrienne was selected to participate in a featured national video campaign highlighting inclusive practice and the importance of centring lived experience in support work. Watch the video here.

Building on this momentum, in 2024 she earned a 2:1 in the Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) programme at the University of Limerick, further strengthening her expertise in inclusion leadership and rights‑based professional practice.

Now at Flourish as Community Support Officer, Adrienne works directly with families to provide practical, compassionate assistance in areas such as form completion, system navigation, and accessing community supports. Her approach is grounded in empathy, empowerment, and a belief that all neurodivergent children deserve equitable participation in education and community life.

Her calm presence, informed advocacy, and sector‑level leadership make her a vital addition to the Flourish team and a trusted ally for families seeking clarity, connection, and inclusive pathways forward.