Why Movement Aids Attention
Think of how hard it is to concentrate when you’re hungry, anxious or full of restless energy. For many children with ADHD, that’s their everyday experience except the restlessness doesn’t go away until they move. Their brains crave stimulation and without it, their minds may struggle to settle and focus. It’s a common myth that […]
Developing Coping Skills in early years
Children feel an array of emotions, just like we do. They experience sadness when a toy breaks, disappointment when plans change, anger when they are treated unfairly and gratitude when someone shows them kindness. But unlike adults they don’t always know and aren’t taught how to manage these feelings. Especially in the early years, when […]
Growth Isn’t a Straight Line: Rethinking How Children Develop
The neat charts and the milestone posters that define how a child grows, gives us a checklist, but does it follow every child’s story? When we look at growth from a child’s perspective, we realise that growth is not math; it is not a problem that needs to be solved; and it is not a […]
Beyond hello – How can social functioning look different?
If you’re a parent of a neurodiverse child, chances are you’ve been asked questions like, “Why won’t they say hi?” or “Why don’t they wave back?”. Maybe you want them to respond to a greeting, say thank you, or talk about their school with their grandparents, uncles, or aunties in a room. These thoughts can […]
Understanding ADHD in Children: Symptoms, Myths and Treatment
Imagine sitting in a classroom during storytime. The teacher begins reading a book aloud, but one child keeps fidgeting in their seat, looking around, and whispering to their classmate. When asked a question about the story, they don’t remember what was read. They later wander to the bookshelf without permission, accidentally knock over a pile […]
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Early Childhood Intervention
“When we know better, we do better.” — Maya Angelou I once noticed a child within my own family walking on his toes. I gently told the parents, “Just keep an eye on it.” What followed wasn’t curiosity, but a wave of worry, quiet defensiveness, and subtle pulling away. That moment stayed with me. Over […]
Is It Just a Phase?- Behavioural Red Flags to Look Out For
Crying before breakfast, fights with siblings, tantrums, and isolation; whenever we see these signs, we tell ourselves, “It’s probably just a phase”. Sometimes, yes. But, sometimes, persistence of such behaviours can be a sign of concern. A child acting out in public or at home can have a huge impact on both the child and […]
Navigating Healthcare with Children with Special Needs – Steps Ahead
Diagnosis sets you on a journey of finding the right professionals, asking the right questions, and building your child’s care network. That stage is like crossing a river — challenging, but with a sense of direction. What comes next is often harder to talk about. Intervention planning feels more like navigating a flood. There are […]
Navigating Healthcare with Children with Special Needs
A few days ago, a friend casually asked what I do for a living. I told him about a workshop I had just conducted with children who have special needs—children who laugh freely, think deeply and navigate the world in beautifully unique ways. He glanced at me and said, “Oh, I’ve seen kids like that. […]
Supporting Smooth Transitions: Helping Children (and Parents) Move Through Change
Whether it’s switching off the TV or going off the schedule, transitions can feel like small tsunami waves for a child. They are inconvenient, confusing, overwhelming, and deeply distressing. All these emotions for a child, no wonder they’re having a difficult time moving from one activity to another. But, there’s a way to support these […]