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Support for children & adolescents,
and for those who support them.
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What is neurodiversity?
We live in a neurodiverse society. The majority of people have a neurotype that is well understood and accomodated for in society, also referred to having a neurotypical brain. Neurodiversity also encompasses neurodivergent brain types, such as autism, ADHD, learning differences and more, that operate differently to the norm. Knowing your brain type can deepen your understanding of yourself, increase acceptance and contribute positively to wellbeing.
If you're wondering whether your child may be neurodivergent (showing characteristics common to autism, ADHD, learning differences, or a combination of these), clarifying this with health professionals can increase direction and confidence in your parenting journey. For adolescents, they may describe experiences and inner processes which are common to neurodivergent groups. Understanding themselves through the lens of neurodivergence and sharing it with others can have powerful impacts on their developmental trajectory.
How can we help?
Mental Health
1 in 5 Australian children and adolescents struggle with their mental health each year (AIHW, 2021). If you, or your child, is experiencing difficulty with emotions or wellbeing, seeing a Psychologist can help.
This may include, but is not limited to:
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Worries, fears, and anxiety,
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Sadness and depression,
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Social difficulties such as bullying or anxiety in social situations,
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Academic stress, worry, or learning difficulties, and
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Other changes in mood, attitude, or activity (including sleep, diet, motivation, outlook, socialising, behaviour, engagement in school, etc).
Autism & ADHD: Two common types of neurodivergence
4.3% of Australian children aged 5-14 years have been diagnosed with autism (ABS, 2014). ADHD occurs in 8.2% of Australian children and adolescents (AIHW, 2022). There is also high co-occurrence of these two neurotypes. This evidences that a significant proportion of children understand and experience the world differently to their neurotypical peers.
Psychologists can support individuals with autism or ADHD by:
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Helping them to build their own understanding of their neurotype and what this looks like day-to-day for them.
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Identifying any goals that they have and working together towards these.
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Guiding parents in their journey of undertanding their child through a different and neuro-affirming lens. Also exploring systems and responses that can be helpful at home, fostering healthy family connections, and providing emotional support.
Information about the diagnostic assessment can be found here.
Therapy
For children and adolescents of all ages, and their families.
Seeing a Psychologist can provide a safe space to discuss concerns, gain further understanding of current differences and challenges, and importantly to explore new ways to understand and manage.
This can include individual sessions, peer group sessions, and parents sessions.
Assessments
Increasing understanding and planning for effective supports.
It is essential to first thoroughly understand an issue at hand, to ensure that the most appropriate supports are provided. This may include assessment of a child/teen's current wellbeing, or specific assessments such as intelligence (known as a cognitive assessment), adaptive functioning, or an autism or ADHD assessment.
Community Supports
Working together to support students in the school setting.
Schools and teachers play an important part in all areas of a child's development and wellbeing.
Psychologists can work with day care centres, kindergartens, and schools to help increase understanding as well as foster positive proactive attitudes towards supporting students with additional needs. This may include working with staff or student groups.
Such support can also be provided to sporting clubs, employers, and alike.
"Everyone has strengths.
But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, you see none of them."
- Adapted from Albert Einstein & Matthew Kelly.
