By: Natasha Binns, Clinical Psychology Registrar If your child is struggling to attend school, you are not alone. School refusal affects around 1–5% of children in Australia and has only increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. But what exactly is school refusal, and what can help your child? What is School Refusal/School Avoidance? School refusal is … Read more
By Will Williams (Provisional Psychologist) Screens are part of modern childhood. For neurodivergent children, they are often more than just entertainment. They can be a place of focus, comfort, and success in a world that can at times feel unpredictable or demanding. When we talk about screen time, particularly in the context of ADHD and … Read more
By Twinkle Garg, Registered Psychologist Holidays can be joyful, but for many neurodivergent children they can also bring extra demands. Changes to routines, increased sensory input, social expectations, and unfamiliar environments may feel tiring or unsettling. With thoughtful planning, families can create a holiday season that feels safer, calmer, and more enjoyable. Routine Changes Many … Read more
By Shannon Lopez – Principal Clinical Psychologist What Is Sensory Processing? Sensory processing describes the way the brain receives, organises and interprets signals from the senses—touch, sound, sight, smell, taste, movement (vestibular), body position (proprioception) and internal sensations (interoception). For some children, the brain processes these signals differently, leading to sensory processing differences or patterns … Read more
By Yiing Tan, Registered Psychologist The transition from summer’s freedom to the structure of the school year is a significant shift for any child. For neurodivergent children especially, including those who are autistic and/or ADHD, such change can be especially effortful and challenging. Feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed are common, but with thoughtful preparation, … Read more
By Shannon Lopez – Clinical Psychologist For many families, the festive season and summer school holiday period signals a time to celebrate and reflect on the year gone by, and to decompress from the modern families often gruelling schedule of school, work, sport and other activities. Whilst this time may still represent this for neurodivergent … Read more
By Yiing Tan, Registered Psychologist Getting ready for a new school year can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming—especially for neurodivergent kids who might feel extra anxious, have sensory sensitivities, or struggle with changes in routine. Here are some ways to make the transition smoother for both kids and parents. Strategies for Managing Back-to-School … Read more
Contributors: Emma Spencer, Clinical Psychologist; Skye Rogers, Art Therapist; Pegah Arasteh, Art Therapist. As humans, we are inherently social creatures. From an evolutionary standpoint, building and maintaining relationships is crucial for our survival. Social skills enable us to connect, collaborate, and form bonds that help us navigate the world around us. For neurodivergent children, however, … Read more
By Emma Spencer, Clinical Psychologist Incorporating the Low Demand Approach to Therapy into everyday clinical practice can transform how we work with neurodivergent clients, especially those with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). This framework reduces pressure and creates an environment where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to engage in therapy at their own pace. Here’s … Read more
By: Clinical Psychologist, Shannon Grassby Introduction Why Formally Assess? What are Co-occurring and Differential Diagnoses? The Assessment Process Assessment: What to Expect Assessment Tools and Methods Assessment Tools Assessment Criteria Gender Differences Ready to Take the Next Step? Introduction Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference or brain style. It is part of neurodiversity in how an … Read more
