Why your child knows what to do but still struggles to get started
Your child understands the math. They’ve completed similar assignments before. They know their homework needs to be finished. Yet they’re still sitting at the table, staring at a blank page. You’ve reminded them several times. You’ve explained the instructions. You’ve even offered to help them get started. So why does something they already know how […]
Why Mindfulness Doesn’t Work During a Meltdown and What to Do Instead
Mindfulness during a meltdown rarely works the way parents hope it will. When children become emotionally overwhelmed, their brains are focused on survival rather than learning new skills. That’s why reminding a child to “take a deep breath” often doesn’t help in the moment. The key isn’t abandoning mindfulness—it’s teaching and practising it long before […]
Why Your Child’s Behaviour Isn’t The Problem
When a child is yelling, refusing, hitting, or completely overwhelmed, our instinct is often to stop the behaviour. We want the meltdown to end and for everyone to calm down. We search for the right consequence, the right words, or the perfect strategy. But what if we’re asking the wrong question? Behaviour happens when children […]
ADHD, Psychoeducational, or Autism Assessment: Which One Does My Child Need?
One of the most common questions parents ask is: Which assessment am I supposed to book? The answer depends less on the label you suspect and more on the questions you need answered. Choose an ADHD Assessment When the Main Questions Involve: An ADHD assessment examines developmental history, symptoms across settings, impairment, executive functioning, and […]
Can an ADHD Assessment Help My Child Access Medication?
Parents are sometimes told to “get an ADHD assessment” before speaking with a physician about medication. This can create confusion about who diagnoses ADHD and who prescribes treatment. A psychologist can assess and diagnose ADHD when this falls within their training and professional competence. Psychologists do not prescribe medication. Medication decisions are made by an […]
ADHD or Autism? How Can You Tell the Difference?
ADHD and autism can look remarkably similar from the outside. A child with either diagnosis might: Many children are also both autistic and have ADHD. The goal of an assessment is therefore not to force every behaviour into one category. It is to understand the mechanisms beneath the behaviour. The Same Behaviour Can Have Different […]
Why Emotional Regulation Starts in the Body
Taking Care of the Body is Key for Emotion Regulation Emotional regulation in children is not just about teaching coping strategies or helping them manage behaviour. A child’s ability to regulate is deeply connected to what is happening inside their body. If their body is under-fueled, overtired, dehydrated, or overloaded, the brain has fewer resources […]
Connection and Emotional Regulation in Children
Why Connection and Emotional Regulation in Children Are Closely Linked Connection and emotional regulation in children are deeply linked, especially when anxiety is present. When adults focus only on coping strategies, they may miss an important truth: a child’s nervous system often needs safety first before any skill can be used. Breathing exercises, positive self-talk, […]
Emotional Regulation for Children: Helping Kids Manage Emotions
Emotional regulation for children is not about stopping emotions or making difficult feelings disappear. It is about helping kids understand what emotions are communicating, how their nervous system responds to stress, and how they can build healthy coping skills over time. A child melts down before school and refuses to put on their shoes. A […]
How Emotions Drive Kids’ Behaviours
Discover how emotions drive kid’s behaviours. When they understand how each emotion serves a purpose, kids can learn to make positive behavioural choices while boosting their emotional intelligence and resilience.