Siphiwe Educational Psychologist

06/05/2025

Let's learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder

06/02/2024

Is your child struggling to read and write? Does s/he find it difficult to complete their classwork/ homework? Are they always loosing their pencils and other belongings such as jerseys, shoes ect? Do teacher complain about lack of attention, forgetting instructions or not doing their classwork when expected?

There are many possibilities to such behaviour, such as ADHD or other learning difficulties.

NB: the soon your child get assessed the early interventions can be implemented.

a problem does not stop its existence, however it gets worse with time and makes it difficult for interventions to take place.
# early detection leads to better outcomes.

15/01/2024

Starting school can have a significant emotional impact on children. Here are some common emotional experiences they may go through:

1. Excitement: Many children feel excited about starting school because it marks a new chapter in their lives. They may look forward to making new friends, learning new things, and exploring the school environment.

2. Nervousness: It's normal for children to feel nervous or anxious starting school. They may worry about fitting in, making friends, or adjusting to the new routine and expectations. This is particularly true for children who are more sensitive or have had limited exposure to new social situations.

3. Separation Anxiety: Starting school often involves a separation from parents or caregivers, which can trigger separation anxiety in some children. They may struggle with the idea of leaving their familiar environment and being apart from their loved ones.

4. Fear of the Unknown: The unfamiliarity of the school setting, teachers, and classmates can be intimidating for children. They may have concerns about not knowing what to expect or how to navigate this new environment.

5. Overwhelm: The transition to school can be overwhelming for many children. New routines, rules, and academic expectations can feel like a lot to handle. Children may feel pressure to perform well academically or worry about not understanding or keeping up with their peers.

6. Adjustment Challenges: Adjusting to the structured school schedule, following instructions, and adapting to the classroom dynamics can pose challenges for some children. They might need time to acclimate to the new routines and expectations.

7. Mixed Emotions: Children may experience a mix of emotions when starting school. They could feel both excitement and nervousness, joy and sadness, or confidence and uncertainty. These mixed emotions are normal and part of the adjustment process.

It's important for parents and caregivers to understand and validate these emotions. By providing support, reassurance, and open communication, you can help your navigate these emotions and promote a positive transition to school.

25/12/2023

Complements of the season🎄🎄

Thank you for all your support 🙏🏻 be safe💚

12/12/2023

Failing a grade can be a challenging experience for children, but with right support and guidance, they can overcome this setback.

Here are some suggestions to help your child:

1. Remain calm and supportive: It's important to provide a calm and supportive environment for your child. Emphasize that you are there to support them through this difficult time and that you believe in their abilities to succeed.

2. Open communication: Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns about failing a grade. Listen empathetically and validate their emotions. Make it clear that it is okay to feel disappointed or upset, but reassure them that this setback does not define their future success.

3. Explain the situation: Take the time to explain to your child why they failed the grade. Help them understand the areas where they struggled and discuss the importance of learning from mistakes. This will help them gain insight into their academic challenges and make improvements moving forward.

4. Create a plan for improvement: Work together with your child to create a plan for improvement. Set realistic goals and break them down into manageable steps. Encourage your child to take ownership of their learning and help them develop strategies to address their weaknesses.

29/11/2023

Emotional regulation
Helping children regulate their emotions is an important aspect of their social and emotional development. Here are some strategies to assist children in regulating their emotions:

1. Recognize and validate emotions: Teach children to recognize and label their emotions, such as happy, sad, frustrated, or angry. Validate their feelings by acknowledging and accepting their emotions without judgment.

2. Encourage expression: Create a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable expressing their emotions. Encourage them to talk about how they feel or express themselves through art, writing, or play.

3. Teach coping skills: Help children develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage their emotions. This may include deep breathing exercises, taking a break, counting to ten, or engaging in activities they enjoy, such as listening to music or playing outside.

4. Model emotional regulation: Be a positive role model by demonstrating healthy ways to manage your own emotions. Children often learn by observing and imitating their caregivers, so display effective emotional regulation strategies like staying calm, using problem-solving techniques, and seeking support when needed.

5. Provide language for emotions: Expand children's emotional vocabulary by teaching them words to describe different emotions. This helps them articulate their feelings more clearly and understand the range of emotions they may experience.

6. Establish routines and consistency: Maintain a consistent daily routine that includes regular mealtimes, bedtime, and designated time for relaxation and play. Consistency provides a sense of stability and security, which can help children better regulate their emotions.

7. Practice empathy and active listening: Show empathy and understanding when children are experiencing intense emotions. Practice active listening by giving them your full attention, reflecting on their feelings, and validating their experiences.

8. Problem-solving skills: Teach children problem-solving techniques to address situations that trigger strong emotions. Help them brainstorm possible solutions, evaluate the pros and cons, and choose an appropriate course of action.

9. Encourage self-care: Emphasize the importance of self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and engaging in physical activity. Taking care of their basic needs can contribute to better emotional regulation.

10. Seek professional support if needed: If a child consistently struggles with emotional regulation despite your efforts, consider seeking guidance from a mental health professional who specializes in children's emotional well-being.

Remember, each child is unique, and it may take time and patience to help them develop effective emotional regulation skills.

25/11/2023

It is important to remember that each individual with dyslexia is unique, and interventions should be tailored to their specific needs and strengths. Early identification and intervention are key to helping individuals with dyslexia succeed academically and build their confidence in learning.

Contact us for an appointment💚

23/11/2023

Diagnosing ADHD in children involves assessing their behavior patterns over time. It's important to note that certain levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are normal for children, but in ADHD, these behaviors are more persistent and severe and interfere with daily functioning.

20/11/2023

Children/adolescents with intellectual disabilities with experience academic difficulties within the mainstream school settings.. delays are usually spotted earlier as they experience developmental delays. For a better outcome, children need to be assessed earlier. Please reach out of an assessment💚

NB: we will never ask you to make online payments or deposit. All payments will be made upon consultation

Medical aid are accepted.

13/11/2023

There is a difference between learning disabilities and intellectual disability. A child with a learning disability has an average or even high average IQ range(cognitive functioning).

However children with intellectual disabilities' IQ range falls within the extremely low range ( below 70) . Because of this, children with intellectual disabilities with also have learning difficulties. ( next post will explain this in detail)

12/11/2023

Global Developmental Delay

A child with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) typically presents with a delay in multiple developmental areas. Areas of delay may include speech and language, social, cognition, play and motor skills. Children with GDD will typically present as younger, or behind, their typically
developing peers.

A child diagnosed with GDD may later be diagnosed with a more specific diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Intellectual Disability However, this is not always the case.

How Does it Impact a Child?
GDD may impact a child by limiting their ability to:
* Understand and retain information
* Problem solve
* Interpret social cues and social awareness
* Respond appropriately to others
* Gain personal independence and self care skills
* Navigate their environment through movement (gross and fine motor skills)
* Interact and play with their same aged peers.

NB: Early interventions gives a better outcome. Reach out for an assessment.

11/11/2023