When can behavioural support help your child?
Behaviour Support can help when a child is showing behaviours of concern, such as aggression, self-injury, running away, or difficulty managing big emotions like anger or anxiety. It can also be beneficial when a child is struggling with routine changes, transitions, or coping in busy environments like school or childcare. Some children may use behaviour as a way to communicate needs, avoid overwhelming situations, or seek connection when they don’t yet have the words or tools to do so.
Behaviour Support can also help when a child is being impacted by restrictive practices or at risk of exclusion from learning and social opportunities. Our focus is always on understanding the meaning behind behaviour and supporting your child in a safe, respectful, and empowering way.
Behaviours of Concern
Your child may be displaying behaviours such as hitting, biting, throwing objects, self-injury, or eloping (running away). These behaviours often arise when a child is overwhelmed, distressed, or struggling to communicate a need. Behaviour Support helps identify the reasons behind these behaviours and offers practical strategies to support your child safely and effectively.
Difficulty with Emotional Regulation
Some children experience big emotions that are hard to manage — like anger, anxiety, frustration, or sadness. They may have trouble calming down once upset or become overwhelmed by small changes or challenges. Behaviour Support can help your child learn ways to recognise, express, and regulate emotions in a developmentally appropriate and safe way.
Struggles with Transitions or Routine Changes
If your child finds it difficult to move between activities, adjust to new environments, or cope with changes in their daily routine, Behaviour Support can help. We work with families to create visual supports, consistent routines, and gentle preparation strategies to make transitions easier and less stressful.
Sensory Overload or Environmental Stress
Some children become distressed in noisy, bright, crowded, or unpredictable environments. This can lead to withdrawal, shutdowns, or behaviours of concern. Our Behaviour Support approach considers your child’s sensory needs and can suggest ways to adapt their environment for greater comfort and regulation.
Communication Difficulties
When children don’t yet have the words or tools to express how they feel or what they need, they may communicate through behaviour. This can include crying, yelling, refusing tasks, or withdrawing. Behaviour Support can help identify these communication needs and support alternative, more effective ways for your child to be understood.
Seeking Connection or Avoiding Demands
Sometimes behaviour is your child’s way of saying, “I need help,” “This is too hard,” or “I want to feel close to you.” Behaviour Support helps you understand these cues and respond in ways that build trust, confidence, and safety — while also setting gentle boundaries and expectations.
Impact of Restrictive Practices
If your child is being physically restrained, excluded, or managed in ways that feel unsafe or distressing, Behaviour Support can step in. We focus on reducing or eliminating restrictive practices by building alternative strategies that support your child’s rights, safety, and wellbeing.
Here's why our focus on neuroaffirming practice is so important:
Celebrating Neurodiversity
We believe that neurodiversity is a natural and valuable aspect of human variation. Our neuroaffirming practice embraces the understanding that neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, are a part of the diverse fabric of humanity. We celebrate and value the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodivergent individuals bring to our society.
Creating an Inclusive Environment
Our approach creates a safe and accepting environment for all children, regardless of their neurological differences. We strive to foster a sense of belonging, where children feel understood, accepted, and valued for who they are. By providing a neuroaffirming space, we empower children to express themselves authentically and engage in their therapeutic journey with confidence.
Respecting Individual Needs
Neuroaffirming practice emphasises the importance of understanding and respecting individual needs and preferences. We recognise that each child has their own unique way of experiencing the world and engaging with daily activities. Our therapists take the time to listen, observe, and adapt interventions to meet the specific needs and sensory sensitivities of each child.
Supporting Self-Advocacy
We empower children to become self-advocates by nurturing their self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-advocacy skills. Through our neuroaffirming approach, we foster a sense of agency and encourage children to actively participate in their therapy, make choices, and express their opinions. This prepares them to advocate for their needs and rights throughout their lives.
Collaborating with Families and Support Networks
Our neuroaffirming approach extends to our collaboration with families and the child's support network. We actively involve parents, caregivers, and family members in the therapy process, valuing their insights and perspectives. We work together as a team, fostering open communication and mutual respect to create a cohesive and supportive network around the child.
Working Closely with Educators and Schools
At All Things Therapy, we understand the pivotal role that educators and schools play in a child's development and success. We are dedicated to collaborating closely with educators to ensure a coordinated and supportive approach to the child's occupational therapy needs. By working together, we can maximise the child's potential and create a seamless experience across different environments.
Take the first leap towards progress
Completing our intake form is the best way to get started—it helps us understand your child's needs and how we can support them. Submitting the form is obligation-free and does not commit you to therapy. It’s simply a way to start the conversation and explore the best options for your child.
Once we receive your form, our team will reach out to discuss the next steps and answer any questions you may have. Let’s work together to support your child’s growth and development!
Step 1: Parent/guardian planning meeting.
These sessions are typically conducted online or by phone, with clinic visits available if preferred. Children do not attend, allowing parents/carers to openly discuss their child's needs, concerns, and priorities. Your therapist will gather key information, including medical history, family dynamics, current therapies, and the child's abilities in areas like social skills, motor skills, sensory processing, emotional development, self-care, and learning. Together, we identify goals for the Therapy Plan, ensuring everyone is aligned.
Sessions usually last 60–90 minutes.
Step 2: Initial meet and greet with the child.
At All Things Therapy, we prioritise creating a safe, welcoming space where your child feels comfortable engaging in therapy. Our first goal is to build trust and rapport, laying the foundation for a successful therapeutic relationship. This initial session, attended with a parent or trusted caregiver, involves play, conversation, and exploration of the purpose of therapy. During this time, the therapist will observe your child’s strengths, preferences, and challenges to help shape their Therapy Plan.
Session length varies based on the child’s needs, typically lasting 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 3: A therapy plan will be formulated.
After the initial steps (and sometimes a few additional sessions), our therapist will create a Therapy Plan outlining key goals, strategies to achieve them, and important details for structuring sessions.
This comprehensive report typically takes 90 to 120 minutes to complete.
Step 4: Sessions will commence.
Ongoing sessions will be scheduled based on an agreed frequency, with most clients opting for weekly or fortnightly sessions.
Remember, every child is unique
The presence of one or more of these signs does not automatically mean that therapy is needed. However, if you have concerns about your child's development, motor skills, sensory processing, self-care abilities, or overall functional performance, it is recommended to consult with a therapist. They can assess your child's needs and recommend appropriate interventions to support their growth and development.
"Empowering individuals to build skills, gain confidence, and thrive in everyday life."
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