The Ed Psych Practice, Author at The Ed Psych Practice Blog

The Curious Link Between Autism and Learning Difficulties

July 1, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals ASD, Attention Issues, Communication, Confidence, Educational Psychologist, Executive Functioning, Learning Difficulties, Sensory Processing Issues, Social Skills

Takeaway: Both autism and learning difficulties arise from brains that are ‘wired’ differently. This difference makes it harder to prioritise tasks and focus on the right thing for long enough. But interestingly, there’s also a social component to learning which autism affects. A trained specialist can help your child tackle these issues, but in the meantime, don’t forget your child also has strengths and passions. Encourage her to celebrate these and it’ll balance out a lot of the other frustrations she experiences. Read More

Self-Regulation & Your Child’s Path to Daily Happiness

June 22, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals Awareness, Behaviours, Children, Control Emotions, Distress, Mindfulness, Reactions, Self-Reflective, Self-Regulation Skills

self regulation and your child's path to daily happiness

Takeaway: Self-regulation refers to your child’s ability to manage her inner self and how she reacts to situations. The better her self-regulation skills, the happier she’ll feel and the easier it will be to make friends and do well at school. To teach your child how to manage herself better, help her name the emotions she’s feeling and use an appropriate coping strategy to handle these emotions. Read More

How Psychotherapy Can Change Your Child’s Life

June 16, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals Behavioural Disorder, Children, Communication Difficulties, Developmental Problems, Eclectic Approach, Psychotherapists, Psychotherapy, Traumas

Takeaway: Psychotherapy (i.e., ‘talk therapy’) gives your child a safe place to express her feelings and process her thoughts. And this can help her tackle problems that would otherwise overwhelm her. But while it is about talking, it’s more than just a regular conversation, and therapists have a range of approaches and techniques to choose from. Psychotherapy takes time to work, but it can slowly transform the way your child lives her life. Read More

What Is Pervasive Developmental Disorder [PDD]?

June 8, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals ASD, Developmental Specialists, Early Intervention, Paediatricians, PDD, Social & Language Development, Social Deficits, Speech & Language Therapists

Takeaway: PDD is the older term for what we now call Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It describes children whose brains function uniquely, giving them a whole new set of strengths and weaknesses. Most notably, though, children with ASD have issues socialising, communicating, and learning. These differences often make it harder to thrive at school and build a circle of close friends. But given the right support, children with ASD can learn to live a fulfilling life. Read More

Did You Know ADHD Can Affect Your Child’s Hand-Eye Coordination?

May 31, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals ADHD, Balanced based Activities, Fine Motor Delays, Gross Motor Delays, Handwriting Skills, Motor Skills, Occupational Therapists, Paediatrician, Poor Motor Coordination

Takeaway: Many children with ADHD also have problems with motor skills, and they’re often labelled as ‘clumsy’. Now brain science is revealing how the same mechanisms that lead to ADHD might be interfering with motor skills development, too. But these findings can also help parents process their anxieties better and help their children work around problem areas. Read More

Why Is Auditory Working Memory So Important?

May 25, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals Auditory Information, Auditory Working Memory, Executive Functioning, Listening Skills, Multi Sensory Learning, Remembering Skills, Speech and Language Therapist, Tactile Feedback, Visual Information

Takeaway: Auditory working memory is a virtual ‘workspace’ in our mind. It’s where we temporarily store sounds we hear as we try to make sense of them. This working memory is crucial in so many daily tasks like solving problems, learning, following instructions, and more. And because of this, children with poor auditory working memory often struggle in school. But if they can learn to work with their strengths, instead, they’ll be able to overcome most difficulties. Read More

What Are Social Communication Difficulties?

May 18, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals ASD, Co-occurring Difficulties, Paediatricians, Social Communication, Social Cues, Social Situations, Social Skills, Speech & Language Therapist, Verbal and Non-verbal Interactions

Takeaway: ‘Social communication’ means knowing how to read social cues and changing our communication style accordingly. Children with social communication difficulties (SCD) have problems reading body language, facial expression, tone of voice, etc., making it harder for them to fit in and connect with others. But a psychologist or speech & language therapist can help them develop these skills. Read More

6 Simple Ways To Deal With Back-to-School Anxiety

May 11, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals Anxiety, Children, Pandemic, Schooling, Separation Anxiety, Therapists, Transitions

Takeaway: To help your child deal with her anxiety, (1) Figure out what’s bothering her, (2) Help her create a coping plan, (3) Redirect her attention to the positives, (4) Ease her back into a daily routine, (5) Practise being apart, (6) Ask for help when you need it. Read More

How to Manage An Angry Child

May 6, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals Anger, Anxious, Behaviour Therapy, CBT, Coping Skills, Emotional, Frustration, Hormone Changes, Model Behaviour

Takeaway: Tackle your child’s anger issues in 3 stages: (1) During a meltdown, focus on calming her down, (2) After the meltdown, teach her how to recognise and cope with anger, (3) Finally, reinforce these lessons by modelling healthy anger management techniques. Read More

What Are the Pros And Cons of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)?

April 24, 2021 The Ed Psych Practice No Comments Referrals Anxiety, CBT, Children, Depression, Evidence Based, Mental Health, Present Focus, Short Term Therapy, Talking Therapy

Takeaway: CBT is a form of talk therapy that helps us change the way we think, which in turn changes the way we react to challenges. It can help your child through tough times, but make sure you find a skilled therapist who has experience working with children. Read More

Author: The Ed Psych Practice