Children and Teens with Special Needs
Raising a child with special needs can feel incredibly stressful for the whole family, or it can feel challenging but rewarding.
There’s so much to learn, so much to decide, and you may frequently wonder if you’re doing the right thing. How parents decide to handle the unique issues of a child with special needs can drive a wedge between parents - or it can bring parents closer.
There’s no magic wand that will take away all the problems that come along with special needs. But knowing how to help your child with special needs to be their best self can make your parenting journey a ‘calmer, easier, happier’ experience.
Perhaps your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, social communication issues, sensory processing problems, language delay, ODD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc, etc. Or maybe your child’s teacher has suggested that you get him assessed to see if his behavior problems or friendship issues might stem from a neurological disorder, but you’re worried about stigmatizing him. Possibly you’ve spent many late nights searching the internet to find out what to do about your child’s puzzling behavior or habits.
It’s helpful to think of the issues your child is experiencing as either primary or secondary:
Primary issues (caused by ‘nature’) are the direct result of a specific neurological delay or dysfunction.
Secondary issues (caused by ‘nurture’) are the indirect result of the environment at home, at school, and in the wider world.
Common Primary Problems include:
Neurodevelopmental delay (immaturity)
Impulsivity, distractibility, poor concentration
Weak organizational skills
Poor sequencing
Poor coordination – fine and/or gross motor control
Extreme or unusual fears, worries, or fixation
Immature or awkward social skills
Difficulty acquiring language/thinking skills
Common Secondary Problems include:
Not fulfilling their academic potential
Anger and aggression
Learned helplessness, unrealistic self-image
Fragile self-esteem
Negative attention-seeking
Book an initial consultation with Noël
If you think you might benefit from our Intensive Parent Coaching, the first step is for you, and your partner if you have one, to schedule a 45-minute Initial Consultation with Noël.
At the Initial Consultation you’ll have the chance to ask Noël any questions you may have about our Intensive Parent Coaching, and she’ll ask both of you some questions to find out more about your family.
During the Initial Consultation Noël will begin advising you on how to use the ‘Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting’ strategies to improve your family’s issues.
At the end of the Initial Consultation, Noël will let you know if she thinks the Intensive Parent Coaching is right for your family.
The ‘Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting’ approach is practical, down-to-earth, and solution-oriented.
Click here to learn about the typical and more complex issues we address and some of the habits we teach parents.
