Child development and parenting

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): What is it? And how can we support individuals with a PDA profile?

Image source: https://sunshine-support.org/resources/#infographics   What is Pathological Demand Avoidance Pathological demand avoidance, or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA)*, is an anxiety-driven need for control and resistance to demands/expectations that threaten a sense of autonomy. Whilst everyone experiences demand avoidance at times (e.g., refusing to complete homework or household chores), for individuals with PDA, everyday demands […]

Understanding and Managing Children’s Challenging Behaviours – For parents

Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash   Have you ever experienced the challenge of navigating a teenager’s sudden outbursts or trying to calm a younger child’s meltdown in a crowded store? It’s a common scenario for many parents.   Understanding why the challenging behaviour occurs Psychologist Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach emphasises […]

What is Play Therapy? And how can it help your child?

  “Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.” -Virginia Axline   What is Play Therapy? Play Therapy is an effective and appropriate way to help children aged 2-12 years work through emotional, psychosocial and behavioural difficulties. It can help address issues faced in the family, […]

A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach: What Is It and How Can It Support Your Child(ren)?

Image source: https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/post/understanding-neurodiversity   What Is Neurodiversity?   In recent years, the neurodiversity movement has become increasingly prominent. Coined in the 1990s by Australian sociologist Judy Singer, the concept of neurodiversity acknowledges and embraces neurological differences i.e., variations in the way in which individuals interpret, process, and learn information. Neurodiversity can be broken down into […]

What Now? Life after a formal diagnosis of Autism

For some families, having a diagnosis that explains their child’s speech, behavioural and emotional issues is a relief. However, for others, it may be a complete shock and a rather challenging issue to come to terms with.  From a psychologist’s point of view (for me at least), a diagnosis is actually a positive turning point […]

Challenging Behaviours: What is your Child’s Behaviour Trying to Communicate?

Behaviour is communication I’ve never forgotten the following phrase that I heard in my initial training when I started working as an ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) therapist; “There is always a reason for behaviour”. These words have since guided and continue to guide my practice when working with children and their families. Even though we […]