At times, all parents feel at a loss to understand what their child might be needing from them. This is normal. The vast array of options to address a child’s challenging behaviours and learning difficulties can leave many of us feeling totally confused.
Behaviour as the Tip of an Iceberg
Challenging behaviours are like the tip of an iceberg. When we look beneath the surface we can explore the reasons for the behaviour. For example, on the surface, we might see a restless and impulsive child. Underneath this, the part we don’t see, might be a child who is easily overwhelmed by crowds or loud noises.
Your child’s early sensory and motor development provides the building blocks for learning. When earlier stages are incomplete, children often struggle to keep up with their peers. The result is not only delays in classroom learning, but can also damage confidence and self esteem.
Support for Parents
Parenting a child with learning and behavioural challenges isn’t easy. Supporting you is an essential part of helping your child. Individual counselling sessions are your time to feel heard and understood, and we will work together to help both you and your family.
The Circle of Security Parenting program has helped many parents to build closer relationship with their children. This program is based on many decades of research, and will help you to strengthen secure family connections. You will learn how to read your child’s emotional needs, and how to support them.
The course comprises 8 weekly sessions, each 1 to 1.5 hours. These can be arranged at a time to suit you and/or your partner. Parent Feedback has been very positive, with many commenting how this program has changed their lives.
You Know Your Child Can Hear, but How Well Can They Listen?
Learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, are often linked to listening and auditory memory. You know your child can hear, but how well can they listen, and understand what they are hearing? Listening also affects the way we socialise, and poor listening can damage self esteem.
Restless in the classroom is often a sign that a child is struggling with auditory processing. The ability to listen is linked to their sense of balance, and you might have noticed that they need to move in order to listen. They may also struggle with emotional balance.
Links Between Developmental Delay, Challenging Behaviours and Learning Difficulties
Research shows strong links between
- learning difficulties,
- challenging behaviours,
- developmental delay and
- traumatic or overwhelming experiences during infancy and early childhood.
We have all experienced the stress of bushfires and a global pandemic during 2019 and 2020. As a result, it is likely that we will see an increase in learning difficulties and challenging behaviours in many children.
Wouldn’t it be good if all children could be tested for developmental readiness on school entry? This could identify the potential for learning and behavioural challenges before they become major issues.
Children notice when they can’t keep up with their peers, and they don’t understand why. They often become frustrated, often acting out, or shutting themselves away. Neither response is helpful for learning.
School-based Sensorimotor Development Program
Perhaps your child’s school is interested in offering a generic sensory motor development program such as that developed by the Institute for Neuro-physiological Psychology (INPP). This has been well-researched and is based on understanding brain science and the importance of early stages of development as a foundation for all later learning.
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About Rosalind
Since 2005 Rosalind has been helping children with learning and behavioural challenges such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other sensory processing difficulties. She brings an holistic, or whole child approach, to counselling, and is passionate about helping children to realise their individual potential. She has a private counselling practise and sees clients in person at Moruya South Head.
