Dr. Leanne Connolly

Leanne is an Assistant Professor in Inclusive and Special Education in DCU and former Programme Chair of the Graduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education (GDISE) and a member of DCU Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy.

Leanne is a qualified Primary School teacher and for many years worked in a Special School, primarily with autistic students with a Mild Intellectual Disability. Having supported students from age 4-19 years, Leanne gained significant experience in using a range of autism specific teaching approaches and behavioural supports. She completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Autism with St. Angela’s College Sligo in 2012 and completed her Masters in Special Educational Needs in Autism Spectrum Disorders in 2016. Through the Masters research, Leanne examined the impact of exercise on reducing off task behaviours which showed very positive results.

Leanne worked as an Associate with Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) on the Level 2 Learning Programmes (L2LP) team for a number of years having been one of the early schools to adopt the L2LP. In 2016, Leanne was seconded to the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), Ireland's largest single support service offering professional learning opportunities to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. Leanne first joined the PDST Health & Wellbeing Team as an Advisor and was subsequently appointed Team Leader in June 2017. Leanne has since led a team of Advisors and Associates across Primary and Post-Primary in the area of SPHE, Wellbeing, Child Protection, Anti-Bullying as well as the new Leaving Certificate and Senior Cycle PE programmes. Leanne sat on various interagency committees and national steering groups for Wellbeing and Physical Education.

Leanne has also lectured on the Cert/Diploma in Autism Studies with ACE in UCC, specifically in areas of Autism and Daily Living, Sensory Needs, Employment, Education and Person Centred Planning/ Positive Behaviour Supports.

Leanne’s current role involves supporting in-service teachers through the GDISE Programme, specifically in areas of special education teaching and learning, personal and social development, working with SNA’s and Relationship & Sexuality Education (RSE). Leanne also lectures on the Graduate Certificate for Autism Education (GCAE) and the Induction Course for Teachers of Learners with Severe/Profound GLD.

Leanne has recently completed her PhD with DCU School of Human Development. Her area of study related to transition preparation and transition planning for students in Special Schools in Ireland. It aimed to capture the views and experiences of students, teachers, parents and principals of transition from special schools. Leanne’s other research interests include the teaching of RSE to students with Severe/Profound GLD.

Research Interests

Leanne's research interests are:

Transition Preparation and transition planning for students in Irish Special Schools. Leanne engaged in a mixed method multi-phase study which aimed to raise the post school aspirations of students and their key stakeholders.

Leanne's other research interests are the implementation of RSE in special schools in Ireland, particularly to those with moderate, severe/profound intellectual disabilities. Leanne is currently engaged in research with colleagues in DCU and ETBI through the development of Communities of Practice for teachers in Community Special Schools and Special Classes.

Leanne was involved in the 2026 Scoping review of the role of the SNA - a tendered project for the Department of Education & Youth.

Teaching Interests

Leanne's teaching interests include autism, special education and inclusion, relationship and sexuality education & SPHE, Child Protection.

Leanne supports teachers on the Graduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education (GDISE) in a range of areas including Moderate General Learning Disabilities, Teaching Practice, Relationship & Sexuality Education.

Leanne contributes to the Graduate Certificate in Autism Education (GCAE). The particular focus on Leanne's input is teaching and learning approaches, evidence based practices, effective learning environments and collaboration with SNAs.

The Induction Course for Teachers of Learners with Severe/Profound General Learning Disabilities is a unique course in that DCU is the only national provider of this fully funded DES course. Leanne contributes to this course in working with SNA's, Autism, RSE, Inclusive Curriculum.