Takeaway: Music therapy can bypass your child’s usual autistic defences, bringing out her joyful, creative side. But, for this to happen, the therapist must be able to build trust, work towards clearly-defined goals, and improvise on the go. So, we parents need to find therapists with the right balance of intuition and training to help our children. Read More
Takeaway: Guide your child through her primary-to-secondary school transition by gradually giving her more responsibilities, talking to her about all the upcoming changes, and suggesting practical tips to tackle common secondary school problems. Importantly, remember that you’re not alone in all this. Teachers, other parents, and trained child specialists can help guide you through challenging moments, giving you the feedback and support you need. Read More
Takeaway: Learning differences and difficulties add to existing back-to-school anxieties, creating a toxic anxiety-avoidance feedback loop. The solution? First, listen to your child’s fears so she feels heard, and then help her build a new, stronger self-identity. Read More
Takeaway: To make change less scary for your child, get her used to following a clearly-outlined visual schedule, and then gradually introduce ‘change cards’ to challenge her need for predictability. If done right, you’ll be able to systematically desensitise her to many types of change and teach her to use coping strategies for any anxiety she feels. Read More
Takeaway: There’s always a thought pattern behind your Adolescents fear of school. And unlike younger children, we can teach adolescents to identify and replace faulty/negative thought patterns. But you’ll want to spot the problem early and step in immediately, or it can damage your child’s emotional and mental health. Read More
Takeaway: Adolescents boys and girls have trouble with ADHD, but find different ways of dealing with their challenges. For example, if a boy gets bored in class, he’s likely to become disruptive, while a girl might simply start daydreaming. So, a girl’s desire to fit in and stay out of trouble means her ADHD is more likely to go undiagnosed. The solution? Consult a specialist if you notice your daughter having problems at school or in her social life. Read More
Takeaway: Mental toughness means being able to follow through with a goal even when things get difficult. And it’s a coachable skill. To help your child become mentally tough, teach her to (1) Set goals, (2) Solve problems, (3) Manage emotions, and (4) Celebrate successes. Read More
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