For parents who are seeking additional assistance in parenting, I can offer constructive guidance if you feel stuck or lost.

I work with parents and children who have ASD, ADHD or other types of neurodiversity. I am not just an objective observer, I will coach you to help choose, develop, and implement observable and measurable targets for you and your children to work towards. Steps are always small and taken in unison, so that growth is achievable and sustainable.

With parent coaching, it is important that communication between both parent and child is reopened and renewed. We can help achieve this through a detailed analysis of the circumstances, as sometimes, it may be third parties that are impinging negatively on the situation. Whatever the case may be, I will work together with all parties to devise strategies to help overcome any difficulties.

 

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What is Parent Coaching Likely to Include?

While most parents prefer bespoke coaching tailored to their own circumstances and lived experiences, sessions are likely to include some or all of the following:
 

Behaviour

Where does our children's behaviour come from? What triggers our children to behave the way that they do? What maintains our children's behaviour? What function does our children's behaviour serve?

Behaviour does not exist in a vacuum, nor do our children simply decide to behave the way that they do. There are reasons and explanations for behaviours and it is our role as parents and caregivers to identify what these reasons are and to help our children through what are often very difficult and challenging situations. Understanding what triggers and maintains our children's behavioural responses are key to engendering positive change.

 

Emotions and Behaviour 

Behaviour is often referred to as the ‘tip of the iceberg.' What lies underneath are what causes these behavioural reactions.

Often when our children respond with what we hear called ‘challenging or inappropriate behaviour' they are communicating that:

  • Something is too difficult
  • Something is too easy
  • They are scared
  • They are bored
  • They feel intimidated
  • They do not have the right skills to do something
  • They are struggling
  • They need help
  • They want you to understand how they are feeling

These are just a few of the explanations as to why our children may sometimes react with behaviours that we find difficult. Just think what sometimes underlies your own behavioural responses.

 

Mindset

Growth Mindset has become increasingly accepted as an important component to happy and healthy learning. But what is Growth Mindset? How does it differ from having a fixed mindset and how can we encourage our children to adopt a Growth Mindset?

 

Our Responses and Reactions

As human beings, parents are not perfect. None of us are perfect. Sometimes we respond to our children in ways that is not helpful or conducive to positive growth and change. But why do certain things our children do or say frustrate or annoy us? How could we respond differently? Responding with empathy is vital. Parent coaching helps us to respond with mindfulness and patience.

 

Boundaries

Children need firm boundaries and parameters to be set by their parents. Without clear boundaries children often feel confused and uncontained. It is possible to have clear and consistent boundaries in place while still listening to our children, considering their needs and desires, and responding with empathy. It is possible to be boundaried and empathetic at the same time – the two are not mutually exclusive.

 

Executive Functioning 

Executive function and self-regulation skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. We all have executive function strengths and areas for development.

Including time management, planning and prioritisation, working memory, task initiation, sustained attention, goal-directed persistence, emotional control, cognitive flexibility, organisation, response inhibition and metacognition, executive functions skills provide a good starting point in helping us to determine areas to target and develop.

Executive function skills are by their very name, skills, and as skills, all of these areas can be taught, developed and fine-tuned.

 

Neuroplasticity 

Throughout the life-span our brains retain the ability to adapt. Our brains are ‘plastic' and because of this, new skills can be taught whilst other, not so helpful skills or habits, can be unlearnt. Many of the challenges our children (and us for that matter) experience are due to skill deficits. If we can identify these skill areas and work on them over time, our children can develop and sustain useful habits that they can utilise throughout their lives.

 

Goal Setting and Management 

Often when we experience difficulty or challenge, we feel overwhelmed. What helps us to make positive behavioural change is to address challenge systematically. Choosing fewer areas to work on, having clear targets and steps in mind, understanding what barriers may exist, whilst emphasising small quick wins are all important considerations when embarking on change.

 

 

 

gradient brain icon in blue and green Questions?

Q Will I See Your Child?

This is completely up to the parent. Sometimes it helps for me to listen to the child's point of view so that a complete and well-rounded intervention can be created. Often what is lacking with parent/child relationships is clear communication. It is important that all concerned have a say, so from this perspective (depending on the age and ability of the child) it is beneficial for me to also meet your child.

Q Where Does The Parent Coaching Take Place?

Most of the coaching will take place online. Having said that, sometimes it is beneficial for me to visit you in your home at least as a starting point. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the home environment is where you spend most of the time with your child. Secondly, if you are having difficulties with your child, it is best that I observe you and your child within a natural or 'typical' environment or the environment in which the difficulties occur. Third, if I come to you, then you do not have to travel and this often fits well with working parents and children that attend school. Get in touch by email or phone for a detailed discussion on how my parent coaching or other forms of assistance available in the UK and abroad can help you.