Understanding Learning and Behavioural Challenges
Rosalind offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to achieving positive learning and behavioural outcomes by developing sensory processing and motor coordination skills in a gentle, supportive environment.
Does your child have signs of any of the following behaviours?
- Symptoms of ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia
- Diagnosis of autism, Asperger’s syndrome, OCD
- Signs of anxiety and/or depression
- Trouble with reading, writing, spelling and/or maths,
- Awkward pencil grip, poor handwriting
- Frustration, anxiety, blames others
- Difficulties forming close friendships,
- Poor verbal and/or written expression
- Compulsive talking, hyperactivity
- Restlessness, fidgeting, poor concentration, easily distracted
- Clumsiness, accident prone
- Poor self esteem, shutdown, extreme shyness, daydreaming
- Trouble thinking things through, poor organisational skills
- Appears not to hear spoken instructions
Getting Started
Having a child with learning and behavioural difficulties can be distressing for the whole family, so the first step will be to meet with you, the parents, to have a chat about your child’s issues, and the impact this is having on family life. Rosalind will discuss options, and together you can determine the best way to help your child.
Options
Depending on your goals, Rosalind offers several options:
- Individual Counselling Sessions to address areas of immediate concern. This may include a discussion of issues underlying the behaviours, and suggestions for helping you and your child in the short term.
- Sensory Motor Development Assessment, to identify gaps immaturities in your child’s early development that are contributing to learning and/or behavioural challenges.
- 1:1 Individual Development Sessions with your child, based on the Extra Lesson program
- Circle of Security parenting support classes which can be offered individually or as part of a group. This internationally recognised parenting program is designed to help build family relationships, by developing an understanding your child’s needs.
- Understanding Behaviours free sessions offered regularly for parents and carers
Sensory Motor Development Assessment
This assessment will help to identify your child’s individual needs, and will be followed by a meeting with you to discuss the results. The assessment usually takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours, and will include:
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Sensory development and integration – touch, balance, listening, vision
- Basic auditory and visual screening
- Standardised tests of reading, writing, spelling and number skills if required
- Development history questionnaire, completed by the parent, providing background information about your child, including:
- Indications of missed or incomplete developmental milestones
- Stressful experiences during infancy and early childhood
- Likes and dislikes
- Behaviours
- Special gifts and talents
Sensory Motor Developmental Program
Rosalind will help your child by recapitulating missed or incomplete stages of early development through an individualised developmental movement program, based on the internationally recognised Extra Lesson program.
Key Features
- Acceptance of the child, reverence for who they are and what they bring
- A place of safety and trust, permission to be themselves
- A non-judgemental space to safely explore deep feelings and emotions
- Learning how to gently self-regulate behaviour
- Safety of a predictable routine
- No rush, no pressure to succeed
- Building sensory and motor skills through movement, craft activities, music, rhyme, rhythm, therapeutic painting, games and puzzles
- Recognition that learning happens at the child’s pace in an atmosphere of playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy
Average Duration
Rosalind generally sees children individually for one hour each week during term time, for a period of about 12 months. A short daily home exercise program will be designed to enhance your child’s progress.
Regular meetings with a parent are important to offer support and to keep track of your child’s progress. This is also your opportunity to discuss anything that is worrying you.
Benefits
Case studies of individual children, and Testimonials from their parents show that by addressing underlying issues, and building firm foundations for social, emotional, physical, behavioural and academic learning, gains can be seen in the following areas:
- Listening and communication
- Relationship skills
- Self-regulation of behaviour
- Reduced anxiety, anger and frustration
- Development of a sense of self through personal achievement
- Fewer (or no more) meltdowns
- Social skills, such as making friends, taking turns
- Academic achievement, such as reading and written expression
- Improved body awareness, motor coordination
- Increased awareness and understanding of the world around them
- Signs of empathy and compassion
- Closer family relationships
- Growth in confidence and self esteem