ADHD

Celebrating DiversityAt The Kids Counsellor

we celebrate the unique diversity of every child and teen who walks through our doors.

Our space is safe, non-judgmental, and neuro-affirming, designed to meet your child exactly where they are. As trauma-trained professionals, we create sessions that are not only therapeutic but also enjoyable and engaging.Our sensory space allows for exploration and body breaks, and we offer a variety of approaches to suit your child’s needs, including Play Therapy, Sand Therapy, Art Therapy, Sensory Play, Social Stories, Talk Therapy, Somatic (movement) Therapy, Journaling, Crafting, and Coaching. We communicate at your child’s level, making sure they feel understood and empowered. We practice in a kid-oriented way—your child won’t be expected to sit in a chair and talk the entire time (unless that’s what they choose).They will be encouraged but never be forced to participate, and if they’re not enjoying an activity, we will offer them different ones until we find one that they do like. Your child is at the heart of their sessions, and everything we do is centred around their needs, interests, and comfort.

OUR APPROACH

At The Kids Counsellor, we take a strengths-based, family-centred, and child-led approach to working with children with ADHD. Every strategy is tailored to the child’s needs, and activities are never forced. We prioritise creating a safe, supportive environment where kids feel understood, valued, and free to grow.With our tailored support, we help children with ADHD and their families embrace their unique way of experiencing the world, building the tools and confidence they need to thrive.

Supporting Children with ADHD and Their Families

Supporting children with ADHD means focusing on their unique needs and strengths while helping them navigate the challenges that come with managing energy, focus, and emotions. At the kid’s counsellor we have a unique neuro-affirming approach that helps children thrive in the world in which we live whilst maintaining a strong sense of self-identity, autonomy, self-worth as well as remaining authentic to their true self which builds self-esteem and confidence.

Developing Regulation Strategies for Active Minds and Bodies

Children with ADHD often thrive with strategies that channel their energy in positive ways. We use movement-based activities, sensory tools, and mindfulness practices designed to match their high-energy needs while building focus and self-control.

Helping Parents Understand ADHD Strengths and Challenges

We work closely with parents to help them see ADHD as a unique way of thinking. Together, we highlight their child’s strengths, like creativity and problem-solving, while offering practical tools to manage common challenges such as impulsivity or emotional outbursts.

Teaching Self-Expression for Big Emotions

Expressing thoughts and emotions can feel overwhelming for kids with ADHD, especially when they’re moving a mile a minute. We guide them to find ways to be aware of their inner state, identifying their feelings, gain awareness of their emotions and with effective ways to communicate their feelings, wants, and needs without frustration or resorting to outbursts and behaviours that might hurt themselves or others.

Supporting Emotional Regulation

Big emotions are often part of the ADHD experience. We help children understand their feelings and practice strategies to regulate them, whether it’s through sensory activities, breathing exercises, creative outlets, or structured routines that bring a sense of regulation.

Understanding Triggers and Transitions

Transitions and unexpected changes can be particularly tough for children with ADHD. We help identify their triggers and develop routines that create predictability and reduce stress, making day-to-day life feel smoother at home, at school and in social situations.

Learning Through Play and Goal-Setting

Kids with ADHD thrive when they’re engaged in activities they enjoy. We incorporate play and goal-setting into their support plan, using activities that capture their interest to help them practice attention, task completion, and celebrating their successes.

Navigating Social Dynamics

Social interactions can sometimes be tricky for kids with ADHD, especially when it comes to managing impulsivity, taking turns, or reading social cues. We teach social skills in ways that feel natural and fun, empowering children to connect with others meaningfully and confidently.

Managing Challenging Behaviours in a Neuro-Affirming Way for Children with ADHD

Supporting children with ADHD in managing challenging behaviours requires a compassionate, strengths-based approach that prioritizes their unique needs, builds their self-esteem, and helps them develop a sense of control over their world. Here’s how we can do it in a neuro-affirming way:

Self-Esteem

Children with ADHD often face criticism for behaviours they can’t always control, which can chip away at their self-esteem. A neuro-affirming approach shifts the focus to their strengths and achievements, creating a foundation of self-worth.

Celebrate their creativity, energy, and problem-solving abilities.
Provide specific praise for effort and progress rather than just outcomes.
Create opportunities for success by tailoring tasks to their interests and abilities.

Helping Them Learn How to Succeed

Confidence grows when children know how to succeed, especially in areas where they’ve previously struggled.

Break tasks into manageable steps and provide clear, simple instructions.
Use visual aids or checklists to help them track progress and see their accomplishments.
Practice skills in a low-pressure setting before applying them to more challenging environments.

Managing Emotions and Behaviour

Challenging behaviours often arise from emotional dysregulation. Helping children understand and manage their emotions can lead to more positive outcomes.

Teach them to recognise and name their emotions as the first step toward regulation.
Explore sensory activities to see what feels right for your child.
Use tools like sensory activities, movement breaks, or deep breathing to help them self-regulate depending on what they need at different times.
Create a safe space where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.
Extend impulse control

At The Kids Counsellor, we support Neuro

Building a Sense of Confidence and Control

Children with ADHD often feel overwhelmed when they don’t have control over their environment or choices. Providing them with a sense of control can significantly reduce challenging behaviours.

Offer choices whenever possible, such as deciding the order of tasks or picking a preferred activity.
Use collaborative problem-solving to involve them in creating solutions to challenges.
Establish predictable routines to give them a sense of stability and safety.

Celebrating Their Unique Needs

Every child with ADHD has strengths that deserve recognition. Celebrating their individuality not only boosts self-esteem but also helps them see their differences as assets rather than challenges.

Highlight Strengths: Acknowledge their creativity, energy, and innovative thinking.
Normalise Neurodiversity: Teach them that ADHD is part of the natural diversity of human brains and is something to be celebrated.
Encourage Exploration: Create opportunities for them to explore activities they’re passionate about, building a sense of accomplishment.

Learning to Self-Advocate

Self-advocacy empowers children to take ownership of their needs, helping them navigate challenges and communicate effectively with others.
Understand Their Needs: Encourage children to explore and understand their own needs and then teach them skills and strategies to help them to recognize what works for them—whether it’s movement breaks, sensory tools, or a specific type of instruction

Noticing triggers

Helping children recognise their triggers and understand when they are beginning to escalate is an essential step in building their emotional awareness and self-regulation skills and developing strategies that work for them

Practice Communication Skills: Role-play scenarios where they can express their needs to teachers, peers, or family members in a clear and respectful way.
Build Confidence in Asking for Help: Normalise asking for accommodations, such as extra time on assignments or using strategies that help them focus.

ADHD, Dopamine, and Learning Motivation

For children with ADHD, dopamine plays a key role in their ability to focus, stay motivated, and navigate their emotions. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter often linked to feelings of reward and satisfaction, and for children with ADHD, their brains naturally seek out activities that provide those "dopamine hits." This can make it challenging for them to stay motivated in tasks that don’t immediately feel rewarding.Meeting Their Needs To support children with ADHD, we can help them identify healthy ways to get those dopamine hits while learning to manage their emotions and stay motivated. Here’s how we approach working with our ADHD Kiddo’s:1.Using High-Interest Activities Children with ADHD thrive when they’re engaged in activities they find exciting or meaningful. Incorporating their passions into learning helps make tasks feel rewarding, keeping dopamine levels balanced.2.Breaking Tasks Into Small Wins Completing smaller, achievable steps within a larger task can provide quick dopamine boosts, helping children feel accomplished and motivated to continue. This is sometimes called “scaffolding”3.Incorporating Movement Physical activity can naturally increase dopamine levels, so incorporating movement into learning or emotional regulation strategies can be a game-changer. Meeting any sensory (and any other needs) to come before any learning can take place. This is why we “Connect before Correct”. 4.Teaching Emotional Awareness Helping children recognise how their emotions influence their motivation can empower them to navigate those feelings more effectively. Simple practices like naming their emotions or using sensory tools to regulate can help them feel more in control.5.Celebrating Achievements Positive reinforcement, even for small successes, provides the dopamine boost they need to feel good about their progress.By creating opportunities for healthy dopamine rewards, we empower children with ADHD to learn how to stay motivated, navigate their emotions, and build skills for lifelong success.