Kate McVeigh

The work and determination of Kate McVeigh has resulted in the establishment of the Impact Trust and the Impact Centre for Learning and Development, which is committed to helping transform the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Kate has devoted herself completely to this cause.

Kate, a trained nurse, had her three-year old daughter diagnosed with Autism in 2001. She found herself frustrated by the lack of options and support provided by the NHS, and so took matters into her own hands. She discovered Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), a method of coping with Autism not widely known outside of North America. She believed so strongly in the ABA method that she undertook to pilot the scheme in her own home and to pay fully for her daughter’s treatment herself, while publicising ABA as much as she could.

Kate led the process of starting up a local charity, Impact Trust, for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, to provide Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) interventions that are scientifically proven to improve quality of life for children with Autism disabilities. ABA therapy is now being adopted by mainstream professionals throughout Northern Ireland. ABA is a highly structured intervention in which tasks, behaviours and social skills are broken down into the smallest possible steps and taught to children with Autism in a very structured way. The children are then taught to use these newly learnt skills in their everyday lives.

Kate was involved with bringing ABA consultants from Canada to set up the Centre for Early Autism Treatment, which has now spread to many parts of Ireland, both North and South. Kate has been pivotal in attracting widespread support and celebrity patronage for the Impact Trust and Centre. She has used her own talents and contacts to raise significant amounts of money through corporate sponsorship. A total of £120,000 annually is required to deliver the programme. This target has been met through different events, donations, and sponsorship, including raffles, parachute jumps, marathons, concerts, events, gala balls and parties.

It is estimated that there are almost 2,000 children with Autism in Ireland. Each child on the Impact ABA Programme is now having his or her needs met through accessing their own individual one-to-one therapy programme. Children on this programme can gain a new level of dignity and learn new skills in every area of development; in personal care, social skills, imagination, play, interaction, and to live more fulfilling lives. It is thanks to Kate that this is available in Northern Ireland.

“Kate has displayed great vision, courage and forward thinking in her approach to improving the lives of children with special needs.”

Lorraine Griffin, Community Organisations of South Tyrone and Areas

>back