Personalised guidance for parents of neurodivergent children

Supporting a neurodivergent child is about much more than academic progress. Many parents come to me because they want to better understand their child's needs, make sense of what they are seeing at home or school, and feel more confident about the right next steps.

My consultations focus on understanding your child as an individual — their strengths, challenges, learning profile, emotional wellbeing and the environments in which they feel most able to thrive.

I provide practical, personalised guidance to help you:

• understand ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence;

• recognise your child's individual strengths and areas where they may need support;

• explore strategies that may help with everyday challenges;

• understand difficulties with attention, organisation, confidence and emotional wellbeing;

• navigate school support and educational decisions;

• prepare for conversations with your child's school;

• understand school anxiety and school avoidance (Emotionally Based School Avoidance - EBSA);

• make informed decisions about support and next steps.

What I do — and what I don't do

My role is not to provide tutoring or academic lessons. I do not teach specific subjects, provide homework support or work as a private tutor.

Instead, I help parents understand the reasons behind their child's challenges and consider practical approaches that may support their learning, confidence, wellbeing and relationship with education.

For example, when a child is struggling with homework, organisation or completing tasks, the difficulty may not simply be a lack of knowledge or effort. There may be underlying factors affecting their experience, such as attention, processing, executive functioning skills, anxiety, confidence or the way information is presented.

By looking at the whole child, we can begin to understand what may be happening and what changes or strategies could make a meaningful difference.

ADHD and Neurodivergence Consultations

You may be seeking support because:

• your child has recently received an ADHD diagnosis;

• you are beginning to explore whether your child may be neurodivergent;

• you would like a clearer understanding of your child's strengths and challenges;

• you feel unsure how best to support your child at home or in school;

• you would like practical advice from someone who understands both children and education.

Together, we will explore your child's individual profile and consider approaches that may help them feel more understood, supported and confident.

Supporting girls with ADHD and neurodivergence

ADHD can look different in girls and young women. Some girls may not present with the behaviours that people traditionally associate with ADHD, and their challenges can sometimes be less visible.

Instead, they may experience difficulties with:

• maintaining attention and organisation;

• managing overwhelming emotions;

• perfectionism and fear of making mistakes;

• anxiety and self-confidence;

• masking or working very hard to appear as though everything is fine;

• exhaustion from trying to meet expectations;

• friendships and social situations.

Some girls are identified later because their struggles are not always obvious in the classroom or at home.

I help parents better understand their child's individual profile, recognise strengths and challenges, and explore practical ways to support confidence, wellbeing and learning.

Every child is different, and support should always begin with understanding the individual rather than focusing only on a diagnosis.

Supporting your child's learning and confidence

Some children are bright, capable and full of potential, yet find certain aspects of learning and daily life difficult.

I can help you explore:

• how your child learns best;

• strategies to support attention and organisation;

• ways to encourage independence;

• approaches to strengthen confidence and self-esteem;

• how to recognise and build upon your child's strengths.

The aim is not to change who your child is, but to understand what helps them succeed.

Support with school anxiety and school avoidance (Emotionally Based School Avoidance - EBSA)

For some children, attending school can become increasingly difficult. Parents may notice:

• growing anxiety around school;

• frequent worries or physical symptoms before school;

• difficulty separating from parents;

• emotional distress linked to the school day;

• a loss of confidence or enjoyment in learning.

School avoidance is often a sign that a child is experiencing difficulties that need to be understood and supported. It is rarely simply a matter of not wanting to attend school.

There may be a range of factors involved, including anxiety, sensory needs, social pressures, learning challenges, changes in circumstances or support needs that have not yet been fully recognised.

I provide a supportive space for parents to explore what may be contributing to their child's experience, understand their perspective and consider practical next steps.

Where appropriate, I can also help parents prepare for conversations with school and think about how to work collaboratively with teachers and support staff to create a more supportive pathway forward.

Navigating school support

Understanding education systems and knowing what support to ask for can feel overwhelming, particularly for families in UK and international schools.

With my experience as a SENDCO in UK and international schools, I can help you:

• understand school feedback, reports and recommendations;

• prepare for meetings with teachers and support staff;

• think through appropriate support strategies;

• communicate your child's needs clearly;

• work collaboratively with school.

My aim is not to replace your relationship with school, but to help you feel more informed, prepared and confident.

A personalised approach

Every child has their own story. A diagnosis or area of difficulty does not tell us everything we need to know about a child.

My role is to listen, understand and help you find practical approaches that fit your child and your family.

With more than 36 years' experience in UK and international schools, including extensive work as a SENDCO, I combine professional knowledge with a practical understanding of what families experience every day.

Together, we can work towards greater understanding, confidence and support for your child.