,Counselling for autistic / ADHD and neurodivergent children in Herts.
Although the heading of this page focus’ on Autism and ADHD, neurodivergent conditions include Tourette’s, Tics, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Language and Auditory processing difficulties, Sensory Processing difficulties and more.
With the increase in wait times for assessment and diagnosis, many services are struggling to cope and have long waiting lists. There are equally many children undiagnosed, struggling with their mental health and education.
The school and education environment can be very challenging for neurodivergent children, with many different aspects to navigate. Peer relationships become more complex as they get older, increased work demands, exams, sensory overwhelm, social anxiety, fears of failure, perfectionism, difficulty in focus and executive function and sadly in some cases bullying. The teenage years can be particularly challenging where children face so many changes, in addition to experiencing the world from a neurodivergent perspective, it can become overwhelming.
Unmet neurodivergent needs in education and being in such stressful environments may cause trauma, anxiety, depression and burn out. Often children can cope well to a certain point, until the pressures in their environment become too much and their coping mechanisms can’t keep up with the demands placed on them. This could be where the work increases in year 6 STATS, the transition to senior school in year 7 or GSCE, A level exams or university are the most common times for neurodivergent children and young people to begin to struggle and experience stress, anxiety or other mental health difficulties.
In partnership with your child, we will build a trusting therapeutic relationship and work together in a safe way to help navigate and understand the challenges they face, supporting with peer relationships, self esteem and helping them to understand their own processes and emotional responses. Sessions will be adapted to meet your child’s individual needs and may incorporate creative work or play depending on their age and interests.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is important to enable a child to feel safe to open up and talk freely about their concerns or difficulties. The content of sessions will not be disclosed to parents / carers, unless there are any safeguarding concerns.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a priority and parents / guardians will be informed of any safeguarding concerns, unless doing so puts your child at risk. Depending on the nature of the concern, other agencies may be contacted. A copy of the safeguarding policy and confidentiality agreement will be provided as part of the booking process
A child’s voice through art
Below are two drawings by a 9 year old autistic child depicting his experience of being in school.
Credit G.Waller age 9.
Mental health support information for parents and guardians
There are different levels of tired mental health support available for children and adolescents. It is important to access the right level of support for your child. Below is some information to support this.
If your child is at risk or suicidal please take them to A&E where a crisis team can assess them. NHS 111 also has a mental health service, please select the mental health option. If your child is self harming, has an eating disorder or is experiencing severe depression, symptoms of psychosis or OCD, please contact their GP or NHS 111 for referral to the correct level of support.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Mental Health Services
For mild to moderate mental health and emotional difficulties.
School nurse service, charity / organisation wellbeing services, Step 2 targeted support and private counselling services.
Tier 3 Mental Health Service
For moderate to severe mental health, emotional or behavioural difficulties.
CAHMS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Tier 3 specialist team's including eating disorders.
PALMS Positive Behaviour, Autism, Learning Disability, Mental Health Service, for autistic children and / or children with a learning disability.
Tier 4 Mental Heath Service
CAMHS Tier 4 Inpatient Mental Health Service.
Information for parents, short breaks, support with education, EHCP.
Mental Health Support