23/10/2025
Is counselling right for my neurodivergent child?
The majority of referrals for children’s counselling in the school, charity and private sector are currently for children with some form of neurodivergence however parents can still face uncertainty around whether this is the right provision for their child.
Children are consistently met with change, and while essential for growth, this can be a lot harder for neurodiverse individuals to navigate. The world can feel a lot more overwhelming with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder (ADHD) among others.
Counselling offers a space to help them learn how to navigate these changes safely, expand their window of tolerance and help them understand what is going on in both their brain and body.
It is common for neurodivergent children to be less in touch with their body and struggle to pick up on cues such as hunger, fatigue or the need for the bathroom until these are overwhelming.
Alongside this they may struggle with identifying emotions until these are all consuming. This may appear as outbursts seemingly from nowhere and difficulty in regulating their emotions. Counselling is a great place to learn to identify all these things before they are too much and can improve physical and emotional regulation.
Counselling with a neurodivergent child may look slightly different but all the key elements remain of talking, art and play therapy. I have found that psychoeducation is a key component in helping children and their parents navigate times of transition and what is happening during times such as meltdowns of shutdowns. I have a wealth of experience working with neurodiverse children and a key facilitator of change is them being able to slowly build a relationship with someone they trust.
Counselling is also a place to explore the more commonly seen presentations of anxiety, loss, familial separation etc seen in neurotypical children and by working in a person-centred way and building trust with the child these issues can also be navigated.
The waiting list for a CAMHS assessment is a few years at the moment, and the cost of a private assessment unaffordable for many. Drawing on my extensive experience and training around working with neurodivergent children I have developed a model to screen whether a child is presenting with any traits of ASD and ADHD. This process takes 90 minutes and involves a consultation with parents(s) and child. At the end you will receive a report detailing aspects of their presentation and suggested supports. Clients have reported that this is useful in getting their child extra support at school including extra time in exams and can help make a decision around whether they want to seek a diagnosis through CAMHS or a private organisation.
One off or short-term sessions are also available for those who are newly diagnosed to help them navigate this. Coaching techniques are utilised to identify the supports they may need and psychoeducation to explain what is happening in their brain at times of stress or overwhelm so they can learn to manage these more effectively.
My office is in the West End however for young children or those who struggle to leave there home it may be possible to see them at home.
For more information about counselling for neurodivergent children and to book a free 15-minute consultation please send me a message at [email protected] or 07596 768805
Further details about the other counselling services I provide for children and adults are available at https://www.thalehealth.co.uk/
