Behavioural approaches to parenting are viewed by some as lacking empathy or compassion. It is true that as Behaviour Therapists, we’re very deliberate about how we approach and respond to behaviour. And yes, we try to minimise the chance of accidentally rewarding what some may refer to as
Helping anxious children accept uncomfortable thoughts and emotions
Noticing anxiety in children can be tough on any parent. If you support a child who struggles with anxiety or regulating emotions, you may notice they tend to get stuck. That anxious thought, fear, or possibly even agitation or rage seems to take hold and they just can’t see beyond. So what can you
A Playful Approach to Preparing Children to Return to School During COVID: Part 3
When to seek extra support Hopefully by now you have plenty of ideas to support your child in their return to school, but you may still be wondering if it’s enough. So let’s consider when it might be most appropriate to seek extra support. It is important to remember that anxiety is a normal
A Playful Approach to Preparing Children for Returning to School During COVID 19 – Part 2
The Preparation Toolbox In the first blog entry of this series, we learned how helpful play can be in preparing for school. But there are so many ways that parents and teachers can support children during this time. Here are some simple tools which parents and teachers have in their tool-box
A Playful Approach to Preparing Children for Returning to School During COVID 19
Entry 1 of a 3-week series by Eleanor Glennon Play to Prepare Schools across Ireland are preparing to open the doors in just a few short weeks. Teachers, SNA’s and other staff members in these schools are doing their best to figure out how they can provide the children of Ireland with an
Avoid Arguments while Getting your Child off Videos and Online Games
If you’re like me, with an adolescent or teen boy in the house, I’d say there’s a good chance you have similar battles over videos and online games. These COVID times have been tough, with activities cancelled and the isolation. So, online game play has been one of their only opportunities for
Considering Readiness and Toilet Training in Autism
Toilet Training in Autism What are the prerequisites? Anyone who has done a bit of reading about toilet training, or discussed the same with a GP or other professional will likely be aware of the list of readiness signs. Most books or professionals will reference a set of readiness behaviours
Control, Rigidity, & Insistence on Same, Part 2
Insistence on same or behaviorual rigidity might include things like difficulty coping with changes in routines, things out of place, or in general things not being just the way they ‘need’ to be. The reality is that this is a very complex issue, but we hope to offer just a few insights here about
Control, Rigidity, and Insistence on Same
Insistence on same is a term often associated with autism. I was with a family recently; a wonderful, supportive family of a child with autism, and I heard the word ‘control’ tossed around a lot. This word tends to cause problems in our field, partly because it’s really difficult to define. But