Child Psychology
Coaching the Emotions in Children for an Emotionally Intelligent Tomorrow
Posted By Sophie Bitters,
24/02/2025 10:00 AM The concept of Emotional Intelligence has been around for decades and involves the ability to be ‘smart about feelings’ – both our own and other peoples. Having emotional intelligence is about being able to notice, understand (empathize) and act on emotions in an effective way. There are 5 key components of Emotional Intelligence: 1. Self-awareness – The awareness of how and what one feels in a particular moment and understanding how...
Confident Parent: Building a Thriving Family
Posted By Brittney Bogotto,
17/01/2025 11:00 AM Parenting is one of life’s greatest adventures—and most challenging. Each day brings new questions, uncertainties, and opportunities to shape the lives of little humans in profound ways. Feeling confident in your parenting abilities can often feel like a moving target. But don’t worry—there are practical strategies to help you embrace the journey with greater ease and purpose. Here are five key points to help you nurture a thriving family in today’s fast-paced world. 1. The Myth of the...
Is Your Child Having Challenges in School? The NEPSY-II Could Provide Answers.
Posted By Brittney Bogotto,
20/09/2024 13:00 PM As parents, it’s hard to see your child struggle in school—especially when you know they have the potential to do so much more. Whether your child is struggling to stay focused, having trouble retaining information, or facing difficulties with behaviour and social interactions, these issues can impact not only their academic performance but also their overall well-being. Fortunately, the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment Second Edition (NEPSY-II) offers a comprehensive and...
Charting the Course to Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Psychologist's Roadmap
Posted By Elizabeth Pincott,
23/11/2023 10:00 AM Introduction Embarking on the journey toward an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis can be likened to navigating a labyrinthine path, loaded with intricate twists and nuances. For us psychologists, wielding a deep-seated grasp of the diagnostic trail becomes our paramount tool to ensure preciseness in our conclusions and aptitude in therapeutic measures. In this exploration, we dissect the integral slices of ASD assessment, spotlighting exemplary protocols and reflective thoughts key...
Helping Kids with Emotional Regulation
Posted By Christina Rains,
25/05/2023 10:00 AM If you’re a parent, chances are that you have experienced a tantrum or several in your day. Most of us expect it in two- and three-year-olds, however if a child that has reached school age continues to have frequent meltdowns and emotional outbursts, they may have difficulty with emotional regulation. The ability to manage our own emotions when presented with the demands of a situation that are unpleasant or highly upsetting stimuli can be referred to as self-regulation. Being able to...
Positive Parenting
Posted By Christina Rains,
07/02/2023 13:00 PM Is there a difference between punishment and discipline? It’s an age-old question and for generations parents and caregivers will argue what the most effective parenting strategies are, and it would appear that the division lines are still strong. Is spanking necessary? Do time outs work? Is yelling harmful? Does counting to 3 work? Should we provide kids with rewards? The questions can go on. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves what is the purpose of discipline and what does that look like....
How Positive Behaviour Support Plans Can Help People of All Ages?
Posted By ,
30/09/2022 14:00 PM When facing challenging life situations, it’s common for individuals of all ages to experience emotions like anxiety, sadness, and frustration. And when you are unable to cope with negative emotions, there is a need for intervention using approaches that can allow an individual to learn to deal with difficult life situations. The intervention approach can allow distressed individuals to develop new and improved intellect and mindset that helps people with difficulty cope with their emotions...
Autism Therapy Should Start as Soon as Your Child is Diagnosed
Posted By Elizabeth Pincott,
01/08/2022 12:00 PM Autism is a developmental disability which starts to present itself in children as young as 12 to 18 months. Children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulty communicating, interacting, and socializing, among other problems like difficulty understanding and following instructions. Autism is a life-long disability, but it shouldn’t be treated like one. With early intervention and treatment, autism can be really controlled. Autistic children who are diagnosed early and receive...
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Posted By ,
11/04/2022 14:00 PM Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) ‘Demand avoidance’ means not being able to do particular things at certain times, either for yourself or others. It also refers to things we do in order to avoid demands. Avoiding demands is a natural human trait we all do at varying degrees and for different reasons. Autistic individuals may avoid demands or situations that trigger anxiety and sensory overload. They may refuse, withdraw or shutdown in order to escape or avoid these situations that can...
Behaviour Reinforcement for Children
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22/03/2022 14:00 PM Behaviour Reinforcement for Children Does your child ever do something that makes you think “If only they would do that all the time!”, or “I wish they would stop doing that!”? If so, you will be happy to hear that it is possible to make this happen. Behaviours Serve Functions If a childs behaviour is occurring consistently or increasing in frequency, it is being reinforced in one way or another. Reinforcement is not just receiving a reward, it refers to anything that maintains or increases a...