Summer 2027 · subject to Department of Education approval
Summer courses in behaviour and autism for teachers
Three 20-hour online courses, each designed to carry 3 EPV days. Take all three and reach the yearly maximum of 5 days, with one consistent approach.
- Chartered Behavioural Psychologist (PSI)
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- 1 course
- 3 EPV days
- 2 courses
- 4 EPV days
- 3 courses
- 5 EPV days (the yearly maximum)
Each course is 20 hours, fully online.
The courses
Three courses, up to five days
Behaviour · 20 hours · 3 EPV days, approval pending
Why kids do what they do
A way to work out why a behaviour is happening, and so which response will help, instead of a list of strategies to try.
- Describe behaviour objectively, and how classroom conditions shape it
- Form a working idea of what a behaviour achieves for a pupil
- Build a practical support plan for a pupil in your setting
Autism · 20 hours · 3 EPV days, approval pending
Understanding autism
A neurodiversity-affirming grounding in how autistic pupils experience communication, sensory information, relationships and school. Built around the Department's Autism Good Practice Guidance.
- Talk about autism accurately and respectfully
- Make classroom communication accessible
- Recognise where environment or routines create distress
Classroom practice · 20 hours · 3 EPV days, approval pending
Creating a supportive environment for autistic children
The most hands-on of the three: what in your room affects regulation, independence and participation, and what to change first.
- Audit your classroom across five areas
- Choose visual and communication supports
- Leave with a return-to-school plan for your room
How they run
How the courses run
Five structured modules per course, worked through at your own pace within the course period. Each mixes recorded and tutor-led content, reading, real classroom examples, downloads and practical tasks.
Assessment is practical: you finish with a plan for a real pupil or a real room, not an essay.
EPV days, explained
- Extra Personal Vacation (EPV) days are extra days of leave for primary teachers who complete a Department-approved summer course (Rule 58 of the Rules for National Schools).
- One 20-hour course earns 3 days, two earn 4, three earn 5, the yearly maximum.
- Primary teachers only. Post-primary teachers and SNAs can take part but earn no EPV days.
- Summer only, within the Department's summer window. The full 20 hours must be completed.
- When you take the days is agreed with your Board of Management.
- In-service training during the school year cannot earn EPV days.
Your tutor
Who's teaching them
Catherine (Katie) Smyth, BCBA, C.Psychol., Ps.S.I., is a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist (PSI) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with over a decade of experience at the New England Center for Children in Boston, with multidisciplinary teams in the UAE, and in Ireland's residential care system. Her work takes her into family homes and schools every week.
Questions
Questions
Are these courses approved for EPV days?
Not yet. All three are being submitted for summer 2027. Nothing is confirmed until the Department decides, and we'll tell everyone on the waiting list either way.
Can I do all three and get five days?
Yes, if all three are approved. Three courses earn 5 EPV days, the yearly maximum.
Do I have to do all three?
No. Each course stands alone and earns 3 days.
I teach at post-primary, or I'm an SNA. Can I take them?
Yes. You're welcome, but only primary teachers earn EPV days.
Do you also train whole staff during the school year?
Yes. See training for schools. School-year training cannot earn EPV days.
Waiting list
Be first to hear
Can't wait until summer? The 10-week evening course is running in Clane nowPrefer to talk it through?
Call 045 574 041, Mon–Fri, 09:00–18:00. Or email info@thebehaviourhive.com.
Join the waiting list