Join psychiatrist and parent coach, Dr Gauri Seth, for a Q&A with Dr Kathy Weston about how we can sustain emotionally deep and meaningful connections with our children whilst living busy, stressful lives.
Whilst some children count down the days until their school residential, others worry. Being away from home, eating different foods, trying new activities and being in an unfamiliar place can be exciting, but some children find this change to the norm challenging, and they might even be reluctant to go. If your child is feeling a bit wobbly about an upcoming residential trip, take a look at our actionable tips, designed to equip you to work through their concerns together and help them to feel more prepared.
For many children, going away on a school trip is a really exciting experience. For others, it can be a big source of anxiety. This activity encourages children to consider what they are looking forward to and also anything that’s making them feel a bit wobbly, and provides an opportunity for parents and school staff to work with them and come up with a plan of what might make them feel better about it.
There are important distinctions between the concepts of secrets and surprises which it’s crucial for children to understand to stay safe. This simple activity can help them to distinguish between the two.
How can we celebrate neurodiversity and empower children in their early years? Join ADHD and autism early childhood specialist Kerry Murphy for a presentation on how we can identify our (usually unconscious) ableist assumptions and start to replace them with neurodivergent-led practices. For example, how to incorporate a child’s special interests or stimming to help them feel safe and happy.
Join educational and autism consultant/author Laura Kerbey for a presentation on PDA. Learn about the main characteristics of PDA, and crucially how young people often avoid things they love to do because of the anxiety triggered by the perceived demand or expectation. Laura talks us through some tools for support, including low-demand communication.
Join Benji Merrison as he shares the ways in which autism helped to shape his successful career as an Emmy-nominated composer (for his work on the David Attenborough documentaries Green Planet and Dynasties). Listen for an uplifting perspective on autism as an essential component of some of the most beautiful things humans have created! Music in turn gave Benji the emotional-regulation his undiagnosed younger self needed.
Watch this fascinating talk with Dr Felicity Sedgewick to understand how and why almost all autistic people use masking / social camouflage. Dr Sedgewick explains that this is exhausting and discusses how we can support children and young people to “drop the mask” by providing safe and comfortable environments.
Watch this demonstration of the helpful app “SOFA” (Stories Online for Autism) with Louis Camilleri. Learn how you can co-create stories with autistic children to reduce anxiety about upcoming events. For example, you will be able to create a story about a new school, introducing your child to their classroom and teacher and detailing what will happen the following day. Write a story about any activity to prepare your child and increase their confidence.
Listen to a heartwarming and inspirational story of how Tabitha Atieno’s experience of ADHD led her to build a school for neurodivergent children in Kenya. Tabitha also shares her journey as a mother advocating for her autistic son in the UK where they now live, and encourages us to nurture our communities.
