Children’s Behaviors are Bringing us a Message
Children’s behaviours are bringing us a message, and it is up to us to learn how to read them. Recently, parents in my practice have expressed concern that their children are getting into trouble at school for hitting out at other children. This is usually followed by punishment of some sort, a phone call to […]
Play – the Work of Childhood
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play really is the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers Children are born to play, it’s their natural state of being. Through play, they are able explore and get to know their world, become […]
Visual Processing – links to ADHD, dyslexia
Good visual processing skills are essential for classroom learning. They also form the foundation for social connection, and our ability to “read” faces, and are closely linked to other areas of sensory and motor development. Delays in early development of visual processing skills often become apparent when children start to struggle in school,. You may […]
School Refusal – or is it school rejection?
School refusal (also known as school can’t, and school avoidance) has been defined as “Significant emotional distress at the idea of going to, or staying at, school” (Parliament of Australia Research Paper). It has been increasing globally since the Covid 19 pandemic. School Can’t Australia noted that “39% of year 1-10 kids were chronically absent in […]
Links between Trauma, Listening, ADHD and Dyslexia
Children with signs of dyslexia and/or ADHD often struggle with listening or auditory processing. What is Listening? Hearing refers to the ability to take in sounds with our ears, bringing sensory information to our brains. It is also linked to balance, body movements and coordination. Listening, on the other hand, refers to our ability to […]
Is a Diagnosis of Dyslexia or ADHD really necessary?
Is your child struggling to focus and pay attention at school? Maybe they are delayed in learning to read, and their teacher has suggested they could have symptoms of ADD/ADHD or Dyslexia, and “need a diagnosis”. As a result you might be asking yourself “Does my child need a diagnosis?” The short answer is “Not […]
Understanding ADD/ADHD – an Holistic Approach to Healing
Picture this – your child is struggling at school, talkative and disruptive, and their teacher asks you to have them assessed for ADD/ADHD. How do you feel? Are you relieved because a diagnosis offers some understanding about why they are so restless and often difficult to be with? Or does this bring dread to your […]
Midlines – What are they and how do they Affect Learning?
Despite being the “right” age, and appearing to be “ready for school”, children with retained midlines often struggle to keep up in the classroom. The signs may not easily be recognised, and are often linked to diagnoses such as dyslexia or ADHD. Learning delay can happen despite your best intentions, and the benefits of normal […]
Writing by Hand Boosts Memory and Supports Learning
In a world where we want to do everything digitally, does it really matter if your child’s handwriting is illegible? The short answer is “YES”. Writing by hand actually boosts memory and learning. Current Brain Research into Benefits of Writing by Hand Brain research highlights the benefits of drawing letters, as opposed to learning them […]
Your 9 Year old Child – a Time of Transition
Suddenly, in the seeming blink of an eye, your previously easygoing 7-8 year old has turned into a nine year old. You might have noticed that they have become more inward, thoughtful or moody, and are asking tough questions? Or perhaps you’re struggling with increasing criticism, anger and aggression? Your nine year old might seem […]
