Clonakilty teenager Traolach Ó Dubhda is the focus of a new documentary exploring the experiences of neurodivergent young people.

The 14-year-old’s life has been portrayed as part of Irish-language documentary Néara-Éagsúlacht: Dearcadh Difriúil (Neurodivergence: Different Perspective), starting on October 1st on TG4.

It follows Traolach, who has autism and ADHD, as he adjusts to switching from Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin in Clonakilty to Bandon Grammar School.

Traolach–a keen rugby player, swimmer and scout–said about the experience: ‘I enjoyed making the programme and I felt happy during the filming. It was fun and
enjoyable.

‘I think the support that I get from my school or from the public is good. Most people in school, children and staff, understand autism and ADHD well. Other people can better understand it because society is changing now for the better. I have noticed this over the past few years.

‘I believe that my friends and I give each other good support,’ he added.

Traolach has previously been part of another Irish-language programme, as well as being interviewed by TV crews from France and England.

He has a loving and supportive family in mum Sorcha, dad Mick and brothers Taidhg (12) and Muiris (11), who also appear in the TG4 documentary.

His mother Sorcha, who works at Gaelscoil in Skibbereen, said that Traolach embraced his autism and ADHD and was very self-aware.

She said he had become very accustomed to managing the challenges the conditions can bring up in everyday life.

Sorcha said: ‘He is very proud of his autism and ADHD and doesn’t enjoy life any less than other people who aren’t neurodivergent. Traolach would realise that as a family we plan around things because we know some environments can be overstimulating for him, whether it’s lights or people.

‘But when he goes to meet friends now, like at the fun fair in Timoleague last month, Traolach will plan around that and prepare himself for it, to make sure he’d be quite relaxed about going. We have a blackout sensory tent in the living room that he can always use when he needs to.’

After living in Thailand and Dublin for many years, the Ó Dubhda family chose to live in Clonakilty because of its status as Ireland’s first autism-friendly town, awarded in 2018 and setting a nationwide example for inclusion. More than 200 local businesses, services, and schools in the town have already earned autism-friendly accreditation and provide supports like quiet spaces and sensory boxes, which Traolach is an advocate of.

And the Clonakilty teenager is getting ready for a school trip to Munich in a couple of weeks with his friends at Bandon Grammar School.

Niamh McShane, principal at the school, said: ‘We are so proud of Traolach. We were delighted to support him and his family with his request to participate in this project. Traolach is a true advocate for neurodivergent young people and we support him in sharing his story as it builds a wider understanding of neurodivergence amongst the community and this can be of great benefit for all young people as they navigate growing up.’

Alongside Traolach, the first episode of Néara-Éagsúlacht: Dearcadh Difriúil also features young people from other parts of Ireland such as Donegal.

The series captures a range of experiences across different communities and also shows therapy methods like equine-assisted therapy in action.

The second episode features adults who have received a late diagnosis.

Part one is on TG4 on October 1st at 9.30pm, with the second part airing on October 8th at 9.30pm.