Editor’s Note – September 2022

Welcome to my magazine!

The title of this magazine, which you will read more about later on, is strictly connected with one particular book I’ve read a while ago. In a sense, everything started from this book. I was inspired by Dr. Temple Grandin and the little almond shaped part of our brain – the Amygdala. On the other hand, the title sounds a bit like Magdalena or Magda, which suits me as well! As this September issue is dedicated to autism you may wonder if every issue will be about autism, but the answer is no.

The amygdala is linked to social and communication skills and therefore this magazine will be a form of such communication. I created this magazine specifically for us SNAs. I want this magazine to be a place where every SNA in Ireland will have a voice! The first publication is mainly led by me, but I would love to invite more people to contribute to my future editions. It took me a while to put everything together as you will see later on – my first interview was held back in February this year with Laura Helen Brown. In between, I was working at school, tutoring for July Provision and running my Instagram account. The ideas for the articles were coming day by day and I have thousands of them, so don’t worry I will have plenty of topics to write about. It is very important for me to know what YOU would like to read about, so I can invite more people to make the articles more interesting. I’m hoping to add much more to every publication.

In this September edition, we will be able to see a day in the life of an SNA. Stephanie O’Connor will take us to her Not-so-Secret Diary of an SNA. She begins a series of Diaries led by SNAs around Ireland.

The best part of creating this magazine was performing interviews and reading the replies from Lorna, Linda, Ellen and Laura. There is lot of different ‘ZONES’ coming your way. I hope you will enjoy it. Marta is kindly sharing her knowledge about healthy eating in the SNA Healthy Zone by giving examples of healthy salads in a jar. Tara Zgaga, who is currently situated in Australia, is keeping us in good shape, both in body and mind. Siobhán Butler takes care of the medical aspect of our job sharing helpful and necessary information about first aid and much more.

I put my whole heart and soul into this magazine and I hope you will enjoy reading it!

I would like to say a huge thank you to my family and friends for supporting me with my dreams, especially to my wonderful daughter.

I would like to dedicate the first issue to all the wonderful children I worked with since I came to Ireland. It is an absolute pleasure to work with you all!!!

See you in October!
Yours,
MAGDALENA LANDZIAK
EDITOR

September Contents: 

Amygdala. What do we know about it? By Magdalena Landziak.

The Not-So-Secret Diary by Stephanie O’Connor.

#RespectForSNAs. What is hidden under this slogan? By Linda O’Sullivan.

S.M.A.S.H. it by Ellen Rochford.

What has intrigued me to take part in ‘The Son-Rise Program’ and what I loved about it. By Magdalena Landziak.

A teacher / a sibling. An insight into the role of a teacher and the role of a sibling. By Lorna Cannon.

My Emotional Activity Book. By Laura Helen Brown.

How SNAs can support students form Ukraine. By Magdalena Landziak.

Cork Autism. What I’ve learned last year and what can you learn this year. By Magdalena Landziak.

UCD and the National Training Programme for Special Needs Assistants. By Magdalena Landziak.

SNA First Aid Zone by Siobhán Butler.

SNA Wellness Zone by Tara Zgaga.

SNA Healthy Zone by Marta Holewa.

SNA Travel Zone – Glenteenassig by Magdalena Landziak.

SNA Book Zone by Magdalena Landziak.

Amygdala. What do we know about it? By Magdalena Landziak.
The Not-So-Secret Diary by Stephanie O’Connor.
#RespectForSNAs. What is hidden under this slogan? By Linda O’Sullivan.
S.M.A.S.H. it by Ellen Rochford.
What has intrigued me to take part in ‘The Son-Rise Program’ and what I loved about it. By Magdalena Landziak.
A teacher / a sibling. An insight into the role of a teacher and the role of a sibling. By Lorna Cannon.
My Emotional Activity Book. By Laura Helen Brown.
How SNAs can support students form Ukraine. By Magdalena Landziak.
Cork Autism. What I’ve learned last year and what can you learn this year. By Magdalena Landziak.
UCD and the National Training Programme for Special Needs Assistants. By Magdalena Landziak.
SNA First Aid Zone by Siobhán Butler.
SNA Wellness Zone by Tara Zgaga.
SNA Healthy Zone by Marta Holewa.
SNA Travel Zone – Glenteenassig by Magdalena Landziak.
SNA Book Zone by Magdalena Landziak.