A cognitive assessment is a type of evaluation that measures a person's thinking abilities and intellectual potential. It typically includes a battery of tests that assess different areas of cognitive functioning, such as attention, working memory, processing speed, language, and problem-solving. As part of the assessment your clinician will undertake a parent interview to gather information about the child’s developmental trajectory and identify any factors that may have influenced their development. Cognitive assessments can be useful for identifying a child's strengths and weaknesses, as ..read more

​When looking at the research, different studies, together with anecdotal evidence, there are various results in ratios between males and females identified as autistic, ranging from 2:1 to 16:1, respectively!      So why are there such differences across studies? There are several possible reasons for this, some of them being: More subtle presentation in females (though subtle presentations can present in males also) Assessment measures, diagnosticians and trainers are not recognising certain autistic experiences, with some of the more common assessment tools not ..read more

​Are you concerned about your child or teenager and aren’t sure if a psychologist is right for them? ​Psychologists can help people in many different ways and support looks different for each individual. A psychologist can provide a range of support and guidance for young people  who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, or mental health issues. When you take your child to see a psychologist, they will work with you to create specific treatment goals tailored to your child’s individual needs and challenges. Here are some ways that a psychologist can help your child: Assessing and di ..read more

Working memory is a process that allows us to hold and manipulate information temporarily in our mind in order to carry out complex mental tasks. Working memory is involved in many aspects of learning and development, as well as problem solving, and decision making. Working memory is limited in capacity and duration, meaning that it can only hold a certain amount of information for a brief period of time. This is why we often forget information we were just told, especially if we were not paying close attention to it. Children with strong working memory skills are better able to follow direct ..read more

As a parent, it can often be hard to support your child in moments when their only answer is ‘no’.  This is where learning about developing a growth mindset can be influential in those moments and in supporting your child's development and success. Here are some things that can help parents to know when supporting their children about fixed and growth mindsets: Praise effort, not just ability: Children with a fixed mindset may believe that their abilities are predetermined and unchangeable. Praising their effort and hard work can help them develop a growth mindset and understand that t ..read more

​We all know we need to prioritise our kids’ well being first after a separation or divorce, and that it’s important to work together with our ex to provide our kids with a stable and supportive environment, but that can also be really challenging at times. Here are some tips for co-parenting with an ex: Communicate effectively: Effective communication is key to successful co-parenting. Keep communication respectful, focused on the children, and avoid discussing personal issues or engaging in any confrontational or argumentative behaviour. If things start getting tense, it’s best to walk awa ..read more

Many of us have heard about mindfulness and it’s something we can all do in our day to day lives. Mindfulness is the practice of paying full attention to the present moment, whilst noticing your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations without judgement.  Mindful eating involves paying attention to the present moment and being fully aware of what you're eating, why you're eating it, and how it affects your body and mind. It encourages us to tune into our bodies and senses, and to approach eating with a non-judgmental, curious attitude. ​ We often find ourselves gobbling down food whilst ..read more

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It is a condition that is often misunderstood, with many people not fully understanding the severity of the disorder or the debilitating impact it can have on a person's life. In this blog post, we will explore what OCD is and what it is not, and discuss how it can be effectively treated in a psychological practice setting. What is OCD? OCD is a disorder characterised by persistent, intrusive, and distressing thoughts or images (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviours or ..read more

Are you the parent of a pre-teen and are unsure of how to approach the often awkward or uncomfortable conversation about puberty? It is great to feel prepared and informed about going into this conversation so you and your pre-teen can feel safe and supported to learn and grow together.  Puberty can have significant effects on the emotions of teenagers and pre-teens. During puberty, the body undergoes many physical and hormonal changes, which can affect the way they feel and behave. Here are some ways that puberty can impact emotions in teens: Mood swings: Hormonal changes during pube ..read more

Being a parent can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but at times it can be incredibly challenging. This is true, in part, because being a parent is a time of constant change and learning, and because our children are just so important to us.  It’s important to remember that it’s ok to recognise the challenge and real discomfort that is part of the job, and that you deserve compassion. Self-compassion is the practice of noticing your own suffering, and offering yourself kindness. Often, kindness is something we readily offer to others (including our children) but not alw ..read more