Recently IRL visited iHeart Radio station to share insights around neurodivergent individuals and our society’s need for improved social skills.

Our founder and director candidly spoke about how socially struggling people need better employment opportunities and social support to increase success and why.

We’re making headlines! 🎉 IRL Social Skills is empowering humans to better connect —and the world is noticing. Featured in The New York Times and more, our innovative approach is helping teens and adults build confidence, connection, and independence.

Recent Appearance on Beautiful Dream Podcast

The Beautiful Dream Podcast features Mara McLoughlin, Program Director at IRL Social Skills, discussing the importance of social skills training for socially struggling humans. Mara outlines IRL’s 16-week program for teens and 12-week program for adults, focusing on relationship-building, communication, and addressing challenges like sensory sensitivities and social anxiety. The program also emphasizes job readiness, as emotional intelligence is highly valued by employers. Mara aims to expand access to services and create a more inclusive society.

Mara McLoughlin joins SJ Child’s on her Autism Podcast Series to discuss how the current system is failing neurodiverse youth, how social skills education picks up where primary education supports leave off, and the importance of learning self-regulation and practicing self-love.

Spectrum Life Magazine Fall 2021

Read the 3-page interview with Mara McLoughlin, founder of IRL Social Skills. Coach Mara McLoughlin is a disability rights advocate with over 11 years of professional experience working with autistic and neurodivergent youth, adults, and families. She believes that all people benefit from learning more “In Real Life” social skills. As we do, it builds our confidence and improves our relationships and quality of life.

Spectrum Life Magazine recently connected with Mara McLoughlin, IRL Social Skills founder and program director to learn how their team makes a positive difference in the lives of socially struggling people and their families across the US and Canada.

Embracing Intensity Podcast July 2021

Aurora Remember Holtzman, Neurodivergent Host, Educational Specialist, School Psychologist, and creator of the Embracing Intensity podcast interviews Mara McLoughlin about how her work is informed by the autistic community and her personal experience in identifying as twice-exceptional.

“I’m excited to introduce you to a speech therapist whose work is informed by the autistic community and her personal experience in identifying as twice-exceptional. Her heart and passion are to help give a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves. Join us!"

Autism Stories by true experts August 2022

Mara McLoughlin joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss teaching social skills taking a neurodiversity affirming approach. Mara also talks with us about being appointed to Oregon Commission for Autism and the interventions subcommittee.

Being UnNormal Podcast February 2020

Kimberly Berry, founder of the Being Unnormal podcast, interviewed Mara right before the pandemic in February 2020. We talked about some common sensory behaviors displayed by children with autism, the importance of building social skills, communication styles, and the importance of setting the environment up for success for people with autism.

Mara explained how making adjustments in the school setting is critical for autistic children and can be used to help create empathy with their peer groups.

Coach Sebastian (he/they) is an #actuallyautistic

Self-advocate and activist in the Neurodiversity Movement for the rights of autistic people of all ages and all levels of support needs. He teaches with us because he wishes he and his family had this kind of neurodiversity-affirming instruction when he was younger. In this talk, he describes how he was diagnosed at age 10, the rejection he experienced because of his neurotype, and his successful completion of a college degree. He offers advice for parents on how to best support their autistic children throughout their lifespan. We are so lucky to have Coach Sebastian on our team!