Emotional Recognition Difficulties
Recognising emotions in faces, voices and situations helps children understand others and respond kindly. We teach emotions explicitly, using pictures, stories and real-life examples.
Emotional wellbeing and related concerns
Helping children understand their feelings, cope with change and feel secure, with families alongside them.
(01)
Children who find communication, social situations or sensory input difficult often carry a lot of worry and frustration, and may not yet have the words to explain it. Big feelings can come out as meltdowns, clinginess, sleep problems or refusal to go to school.
We help children recognise and name feelings, learn simple coping strategies and feel more in control through predictable routines and gradual preparation for change. Parents are central to this work, and we coach families in responses that make home life calmer and more connected. Where a child needs specialist mental health input, we will tell you and help you find it.
9 needs explained in plain language
These descriptions help you understand terms you may hear. They are not a diagnosis, which can only come from a qualified clinician.
(02)
Emotional wellbeing and related concerns, explained
Emotional Awareness Difficulties
Emotional awareness means noticing and naming one’s own feelings. A child who cannot yet name a feeling may show it through behaviour instead. We teach feelings vocabulary and the body signals linked to each emotion.
Coping Skills Development
Coping skills are the strategies a child uses when upset, worried or frustrated, such as deep breathing, asking for a break or using a calm corner. We teach and practise them before they are needed.
Anxiety-Related Difficulties
Some children experience worry or fear that is stronger or more frequent than expected, which may lead to avoidance, clinginess or physical complaints. We use predictable routines, gradual exposure and coping strategies, and recommend specialist input where it is needed.
Separation Anxiety
Distress when separating from parents is normal in young children, but for some it is intense and lasts longer than expected. We plan gradual, predictable separations and support both child and parent through them.
Sleep-Related Behavioural Difficulties
Difficulty settling, frequent night waking or very early waking are common in children with developmental differences. Alongside a medical review where needed, we help families set up consistent bedtime routines and behavioural strategies.
School Adjustment Difficulties
Starting school or moving to a new class can be stressful, and some children struggle with new routines, people and expectations. We prepare children for the change and can share strategies with schools where families wish.
Difficulty Managing Change
Unexpected changes can cause real distress for some children. We use visual schedules, social stories and gradual exposure to change so the child feels more in control.
Parent-Child Interaction Challenges
When communication or behaviour is difficult, interactions between parents and children can become stressful for both. We coach parents in strategies that make interactions more positive, responsive and enjoyable.
