When you are wondering about a child's developmental differences, it can be difficult to navigate the options available for assessment and support.

This is why we offer our Navigational Phase . It is an initial exploration, to provide a starting point.

Some families, though, prefer to jump straight into Further Assessment (if they have a strong hunch what their child's needs might be, or if there has been some prior assessment done).

We are happy to have a conversation about these pathways.

If you would like to read more about learning differences and neurodiversities, Understood.org is a great website with plenty of information.

Despite being small, children can experience some very big feelings! They need our help to make sense of them.

If you think your child needs professional support for their mental health, do enquire about what we can offer through our Flexible Supports pathway. We will also be able to recommend alternative options, if our practitioners are not the best fit for your child.

If your child needs to talk to someone sooner, encourage them to call Youthline (available 24/7, with options to text or webchat as well), or Whats Up (free, kid-friendly counselling).

For an online hub about mental health, designed by youth and for youth, go to The Lowdown.

Another great place to look for professional support is through Gumboot Friday. Young people can choose from a range of trained counsellors and arrange 2+ free sessions.

Often, though, the best support for a young person is from adults who they already know and trust - people they feel comfortable talking with on a day-to-day basis.

Just making the space to 'sit with' difficult feelings can be powerful. Show the child that you 'see' and 'hear' them. This models to them that emotions are a normal experience, and even the trickiest feelings will pass over time.

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