About Frances

Frances O’Callaghan is an Intellectual Disability Nurse, a trainer, an Autism expert, and a mother to her 3 children – Eoghan, Cara and Conor.  A nursing graduate from Napier University in Edinburgh in 2000, Frances pursued her passion for caring for children with complex needs and worked at the  renowned Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

In 2005, Frances returned home to Cork and worked as a Nurse Manager in Enable Ireland. For 13 years. She then moved to Cope Foundations Children’s Respite Services and following this managed 2 residential services for autistic children.

Frances’ first experiences of working with children with ASD was in 1995 when she worked for the Child Education and development Centre in the Brothers of Charity, Cork. In the recent years Frances  became personally interested in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

After witnessing first-hand the impact Autism can have on families, Frances began to explore academic options which could marry her personal and professional experiences. In 2018 she began a Masters  in Autism Spectrum Disorders with Queens University Belfast.

In 2019 Frances set up AchievAbility Autism Consultancy Services, a specialised service, providing consultation for families who are beginning their Autism Journey or for those who may need some advice and support regarding day to day issues.

Qualifications & Experience

1994               CEDC Brother of Charity

1995               St Pauls Special School, Cope Foundation

2000               Graduate with Distinction in ID Nursing, Napier University

2001 – 2005   Senior Staff Nurse & Education Co-Ordinator RHSC Edinburgh

2005 – 2017   Clinical Nurse Manager, Enable Ireland

2013               Train the trainer, NUI Maynooth

2014               Lecturer QQI level 5 Health Care, Nifast

2017                Staff Nurse, Cope Foundation

2017                Lamh

2017                Positive Behaviour Support

2017 – 2018    Service Manager, Resilience Care

2018 – 2021    Masters Autism Spectrum Disorders, Queens University Belfast

2019                Home Tutor Department of Education