The Healing Power of Foster Care: Rewiring Trauma Through Connection with Aoife Bairéad

The Same Chance: Embracing Neurodiversity in Foster Care with AsIAm’s Adam Harris

When you hear the word "autism," what comes to mind? For many prospective foster carers, the idea of caring for an autistic child might feel daunting, often due to a fear of not being "expert" enough, but we want to dispel that myth. In this episode of Voices – The Origins Foster Care Podcast, our host Eithne Larkin sits down with Adam Harris, the founder and CEO of AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, and one of Ireland’s most recognised voices on neurodiversity and disability rights. Adam shares his personal journey of growing up autistic in Ireland, from spending his early school years tucked away in his own little "kingdom" to avoid sensory overwhelm, to founding AsIAm at the age of sixteen to advocate for true accessibility. He also reassures foster carers that the skills they already possess like providing structure, routine, and clear communication are exactly the tools needed to support an autistic child. He challenges the deficit-based model of autism, proving why we must lean into a child's unique strengths, and advocates powerfully for ensuring every autistic child in the care system gets the same chance to thrive. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * Adam’s Personal Journey: Growing up with a literal understanding of language and sensory overwhelm, and how a strengths-based approach to his education changed his life. * The "Same Chance" Philosophy: Why autistic children interacting with the care system face greater barriers, and how foster carers can ensure they get the same chance to live, learn, and play in their communities. * Demystifying Autism Care: Why you don't need "advanced qualifications" to foster an autistic child. The adaptable skills foster carers are trained to have like providing routine, safe environments, and emotional support are highly transferable. * A Strengths-Based Approach: Adam shares a brilliant example of how his primary school teachers used his intense interest in history to help him learn to read, flipping a "deficit" into a powerful tool for growth. * Reframing "Negative" Traits: How traits often labeled as deficits are just a matter of perspective. For example, seeing a child not as "rigid," but as "systems-based," or not "naive," but "loyal and trusting". * Neuroaffirmative Parenting: The importance of accepting a child as they are, rather than forcing them to conform to neurotypical norms that might cause them distress. Resources from this episode: * AsIAm: Ireland's National Autism Charity. Visit asiam.ie [https://asiam.ie/] for resources, including their "Starting the Autism Journey" guide. * AsIAm Information Line: For support at any stage of your journey, call 0818 234 234 or contact them at asiam.ie/contact [https://asiam.ie/contact]. * Origins Foster Care: To learn more about becoming a foster carer and taking your first step, please visit originsfostercare.ie [https://originsfostercare.ie/]. Connect with us: * Follow & Share: If this episode's message resonated with you, please follow the podcast and share this episode. It helps us reach more people who need to hear these vital conversations. * Leave a Review: We'd be grateful if you could leave a review on your favourite podcast platform to help others find the show.

The Healing Power of Foster Care: Rewiring Trauma Through Connection with Aoife Bairéad

We often say that foster care changes lives, but have you ever wondered how? How does a safe, consistent home actually help heal a child who has experienced significant trauma? And can simply playing games or sitting down to share a meal really repair the emotional damage of the past? In this fascinating episode of Voices – The Origins Foster Care Podcast, host Eithne Larkin is joined by Aoife Bairéad, a social worker, therapeutic specialist, and founder of Minds in Mind. With over twenty years of experience working with children and families, Aoife is an expert in attachment, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic play. Together, they explore the profound physical and emotional impact that a foster carer's calm presence can have on a child's nervous system. Aoife decodes what children are really saying when they display challenging behaviours, explains her brilliant "riding a bike" analogy for trauma responses, and shares why play is fundamental to a child’s development. Whether you are a seasoned carer or just beginning to consider fostering, this episode will leave you with a deep appreciation for the life-saving power of an ordinary, loving human relationship. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * The Science of Safety: Aoife explains how coming into care is a massive rupture, and how a foster carer's consistent, predictable presence helps soothe a nervous system stuck on "high alert". * Decoding "Bad" Behaviour: Why challenging actions – like storing food or acting defiant – are actually a child's survival strategy and their way of communicating when words fail. * The "Riding a Bike" Analogy: A brilliant explanation of why trauma responses are automatic. Aoife explains how, even when a child learns new, safe ways to cope, sudden stress can put them right back "on the bike" of their old survival habits. * The Power of Play (Theraplay): Why play isn't just for fun – it is literally how children learn empathy and problem-solving. Aoife shares how games as simple as "hide and seek" under a blanket can help older children reclaim the safe, early developmental stages they missed out on. * Miraculous Developmental Leaps: The incredible bursts of physical and emotional development that can occur simply because a child finally feels safe, often leaving doctors and professionals astounded. * Redefining the "Break": A vital message for foster carers on recognizing their own dysregulation and why spending your "break" emailing the school or worrying about the child doesn't actually recharge your batteries. Resources from this episode: * Minds in Mind: To learn more about Aoife Bairéad’s therapeutic work, visit mindsinmind.ie [https://mindsinmind.ie/]. * Origins Foster Care: To learn more about becoming a foster carer with Origins Foster Care and taking your first step, please visit originsfostercare.ie [https://originsfostercare.ie/]. Connect with Us: * Follow & Share: If this conversation helped you understand the healing journey of children in care, please follow the podcast and share this episode with somebody who might find it helpful. * Leave a Review: We'd be grateful if you could leave a review on your favourite podcast platform to help others find the show.

Why "Time Out" Doesn't Work: Rethinking Discipline in Foster Care with Dr. Joanna Fortune

Why do parenting strategies that worked perfectly for your own children not have the desired effect when applied to a child in foster care? Why does the "naughty step" or "time out" often escalate behaviour instead of calming it? In this insightful episode of Voices – The Origins Foster Care Podcast, host Eithne Larkin is joined by Dr. Joanna Fortune, one of Ireland’s most respected voices on child development and the author of the best-selling 15-Minute Parenting series. Together, they dive deep into the psychology of fostering, exploring why traditional discipline doesn't work for children who have experienced trauma. Dr. Fortune explains the critical difference between "shame" and "guilt," why we need to move from "time out" to "time in," and how just 15 minutes of intentional connection can start to heal a child's belief that they are "unlovable." This is an essential listen for both new and experienced carers. It offers not just the theory of therapeutic parenting, but the practical permission to stop trying to be "perfect" and start being "good enough." In this episode, you’ll hear about: * Why Traditional Parenting Might Not Work in Fostering: Dr. Fortune explains why strategies that work for birth children often don't work for children in care, and why this can feel personally affronting to experienced parents. * Shame vs. Guilt: A vital explanation of the difference between a child feeling they did a bad thing (Guilt) versus feeling they are a bad thing (Shame), and how this drives behaviour. * Rethinking Discipline: Why "Time Out" and the "Naughty Step" are developmentally impossible for traumatised children, and why we must use "Time In" and co-regulation instead. * The 15-Minute Philosophy: How dedicating just 15 minutes of predictable, uninterrupted, child-led play every day can prove to a child that you are safe and reliable. * "Deserving" vs. "Needing" Support: A powerful reframe for carers: You don't just need support when things go wrong; you deserve support to help you do this complex work. * Fostering Teenagers: How teenagers are neurologically wired to take risks, and why they need a "safe base" to call at 3am more than anyone. * The Ripple Effect: Dr. Fortune’s moving reminder that even short-term placements can show a child a different way of being, creating a "ripple effect" that lasts a lifetime. Resources from this episode: * Dr. Joanna Fortune: You can find Joanna's resources, books, and membership details at drjoannafortune.com [https://drjoannafortune.com/]. * Instagram: Follow Dr. Fortune for daily play-based tips at @drjoannafortune [https://www.instagram.com/drjoannafortune/]. * Origins Foster Care: To learn more about becoming a foster carer with Origins Foster Care and taking your first step, please visit originsfostercare.ie [https://originsfostercare.ie/]. Connect with Us: * Follow & Share: If this conversation helped you understand children in your care a little better, please follow the podcast and share this episode with your fellow parents and carers. * Leave a Review: We'd be grateful if you could leave a review on your favourite podcast platform to help others find the show.

Braids, Balms, and Belonging: Navigating Cultural Differences in Foster Care

What does fostering actually look like behind the scenes? Beyond the paperwork and the policies, what is the day-to-day reality of welcoming two small children into a busy family home? In this heartwarming and honest episode of Voices – The Origins Foster Care Podcast, host Eithne Larkin is joined by Sheila. Sheila is a foster carer to two little girls (aged two and four) and a mum to her own children. Sheila’s home is full, busy, joyful, and very real. She shares her journey with refreshing honesty – from the initial experience of going from a family of four to six overnight, to the learning curve of caring for children from a different cultural background. She speaks openly about the practicalities of hair care for children of a different ethnic background, the importance of building routines to settle anxious little ones, and how her own children have grown through the experience. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to know how fostering impacts the whole family. It’s a story full of honesty, humour, challenge, and love, showing that while you don't need to be perfect to be a foster carer, you do need to be open to learning, laughing, and loving. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * A Family Decision: How Sheila involved her own children in the decision to foster, and why their input was crucial from the very start. * The Adjustment Period: Sheila shares the honest reality of when the children first arrived, and how her family navigated the transition from a household of four to six just weeks before Christmas. * Cultural Learning Curves: The practical challenges and joys of caring for children from a different culture, including learning how to care for Afro-textured hair with the help of her community. * Building Trust Through Routine: How simple, consistent routines – like explaining exactly where they’re going in the car and sticking to that plan – helped reduce anxiety for a child who was terrified of the unknown. * The Power of Community: Sheila highlights how friends, neighbours, and the local pre-school rallied around to welcome the girls, proving that it really does take a village. * Nurturing Birth Connections: A look at the importance of maintaining relationships with the children's birth family, and how Sheila adapted visits to ensure they were positive experiences for everyone. * Self-Care: Why taking time out – whether it's getting nails done, a romantic meal out with her husband, or a trip to Dublin to go shopping – is essential for keeping your energy up as a carer. Resources from this episode: * Origins Foster Care: To learn more about becoming a foster carer with Origins Foster Care and taking your first step, please visit originsfostercare.ie [https://originsfostercare.ie/]. Connect with Us: * Follow & Share: If Sheila's story resonated with you, please follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who might be curious about fostering. It makes a big difference in helping others discover these important conversations. Leave a Review: We'd be grateful if you could leave a review on your favourite podcast platform to help others find the show.

Navigating the Magic and Complexity of Christmas in Foster Care with Cíara Farrell

What does Christmas really feel like for a child in care? How can foster families balance festive joy with the complex emotions and sensory triggers that often surface during the holidays? In this special bonus episode of Voices – The Origins Foster Care Podcast, host Eithne Larkin is joined by Cíara Farrell, a Senior Practitioner Link Social Worker with Origins Foster Care. Having grown up in a fostering family herself, Cíara brings a rare full-circle perspective – combining lived experience with professional insight from supporting foster families across Ireland. Together, they explore how to lower the frantic energy December can bring and replace it with grounded, trauma-informed connection. This episode offers practical, compassionate guidance for carers and prospective carers who want to make Christmas feel safe, inclusive, and genuinely meaningful for every child in their home. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * The sensory impact of Christmas – why lights, noise, smells, and routines can feel overwhelming for children in care, and how to spot early signs of distress. * Managing gift expectations – why “keeping it simple” is often the most loving choice, and how to avoid unintentional pressure. * Creating new traditions – blending your family’s customs with a child’s culture, preferences, and emotional needs. * The “before, during, and after” approach – a practical framework for planning outings, visits, and busy days. * Managing the grown-ups – navigating extended family expectations, surprise visits, boundaries, and consent. * Carer self-care – why giving yourself grace is essential during the festive period. Resources mentioned: * Origins Foster Care – Learn more about becoming a foster carer and the supports we provide at originsfostercare.ie [https://originsfostercare.ie/] * TUSLA – Information on the role of social workers in supporting and mediating birth family contact over Christmas Connect with us: * Follow & share – If this episode helped you, please share it with another carer who might need it. * Leave a review – Reviews help more families find these conversations about fostering in Ireland.