Explaining Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia to kids

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Download the PDF Guide

Sometimes it can be tricky for kids to understand their difficulties and this can lead to feelings of shame or feeling that there is something “wrong” with them. 

We have put together a few useful ways of explaining Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia to kids, so that they can see their diagnosis not as a disability, but just something that makes them unique. Click on the download link to have a look!

Understanding Anxiety in Autism: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child Feel Calm, Safe, and Confident

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The Autism Research Group (part of City University) have published a new document all about Anxiety in Autism. Have a read here.

It's very common for autistic children to feel anxious—you're not alone, and neither is your child. About 40% of autistic kids experience significant anxiety, much more than other children. Anxiety might show up differently in autism. Your child might get worried or upset about small changes, unusual sounds, or social situations—not necessarily because they fear embarrassment, but maybe because they find the world unpredictable or confusing.

There are three big reasons why anxiety can be harder for autistic children:

  • Uncertainty: Autistic children often find unpredictability very stressful and might use routines or repetitive behaviours to cope.

  • Sensory sensitivities: The world can seem overwhelming to autistic kids due to heightened sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, or smells.

  • Trouble recognising feelings: Many autistic children struggle to identify and describe their emotions, making it difficult for them to manage anxiety when it appears.

There are practical things you can do to help:

  • Make things predictable: Using visual timetables and social stories can reduce anxiety about what's happening next.

  • Sensory support: Providing safe, calming spaces or sensory tools like stress balls or headphones can reduce overwhelming sensations.

  • Mindfulness or relaxation techniques: Simple exercises that help your child gently notice and accept their feelings can make anxiety easier to handle.

  • Professional support: Therapies like adapted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness programmes specially developed for autism can be very effective.

Most importantly, remember anxiety is something separate from autism itself, and with understanding and the right support, your child’s anxiety can improve significantly, allowing them—and you—to feel calmer, happier, and more confident.

ADHD and ASD - a duel diagnosis

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ADHD and ASD - a duel diagnosis

Understanding the Complex Relationship Between ADHD and ASD in Children

While having a child with neurodivergence can be a wonderful rollercoaster ride, it is most definitely a rollercoaster. Having a child with ASD can be tricky, as can having a child with ADHD. Both come with an array of wild and wonderful traits and behaviours. But what about those kids who have both ADHD and ASD? That is an entirely different ball game, which can be very confusing, as the behaviours of these two conditions often overlap and conflict, creating a complex mix of new behaviours.

We need to understand how these conditions interact so we can better understand these kids, give them the support they need and enjoy the rollercoaster ride together.

ADHD vs. ASD

Children with ADHD are typically impulsive, hyperactive, and easily distracted. They thrive in dynamic environments but struggle with structure and focus. On the other hand, children with ASD tend to prefer routines, predictability, and often experience discomfort in fast-paced, unpredictable settings. This fundamental difference can lead to unique behaviors when the two conditions coexist.

Your child may be overly organised and obsessive about structure and routines. That’s the ASD. The next minute they’re messy, impulsive, living in the moment, with no thought of what is coming next. Hello ADHD.

Your child may prefer to be on their own and may struggle being around people, needing their own space. Again, typical of ASD. But at other times they might like to be the centre of attention, the performer. They invade people’s personal space, they’re the “class clown”, telling the same joke again and again because they got a laugh. ADHD.

The ASD brain often hates too much noise and is easily overwhelmed in busier places. Your child can’t concentrate because of all the noise. At the same time, the ADHD brain needs something to help it concentrate, your child may listen to music or TV on full volume or constantly make noises.

Here lies the battle between the diagnoses: The autistic brain is constantly striving for control, structure and organisation, while the ADHD brain is chaotic, impulsive and spontaneous. the ADHD is often louder, but the ASD is constantly fighting against it. Both want centre stage.

A child with both ADHD and ASD might have difficulty following instructions (common in ADHD) while simultaneously becoming highly anxious or distressed when routines change unexpectedly (typical of ASD). This combination can result in meltdowns or withdrawal, making it hard for parents to identify whether the root of the problem is impulsivity, anxiety, or both.

The impulsivity of ADHD may push a child to act without considering consequences, while the rigid thinking common in ASD makes it difficult for the child to adapt to unexpected outcomes. For example, if a child with ADHD runs impulsively into a new situation, their ASD might make it hard for them to handle the sensory overload or changes that come with it.

These overlapping and conflicting behaviours often create frustration, not just for the child, but for parents too. The impulsivity might seem to undermine efforts to establish routines, while the need for routine might make managing impulsive behaviours more stressful.

A few tips…

Consistent Routine with Flexibility: Create a structured routine that offers some flexibility. For children with ADHD and ASD, having a predictable environment helps reduce anxiety, but including room for unplanned activities or breaks can help manage impulsivity.

Clear and Simple Instructions: Both children with ADHD and ASD benefit from clear, step-by-step instructions. Visual aids, schedules, and checklists can also help them stay on task without overwhelming them.

Address Sensory Needs: Be aware of sensory sensitivities that may trigger certain behaviours. For example, loud noises or crowded spaces might be especially overwhelming for a child with ASD, but an impulsive child with ADHD might not recognize when a situation is too much until they’re overwhelmed.

Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate small wins and praise effort as well as success. Children with ADHD and ASD often face a lot of challenges, so focusing on their strengths and efforts can boost their confidence and motivation.

A final thought

Managing both ADHD and ASD requires patience and understanding, as these conditions can pull your child in different directions. By recognising the unique challenges posed by both, you can create a supportive environment that helps them thrive. Every child is different and we know what works for one may not work for another, but with the right strategies in place, you can help your child navigate the complexities of both ADHD and ASD and become a superhero.

New Sensory webinar available as a digital download!

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We are proud to make available our OT Rosie’s “Making Sense of Sensory Behaviour” Webinar as a digital download. This is the first product in our new store and the first of many to come!

Buy Now

The webinar will explore the (often confusing) world of sensory processing and sensory and emotional regulation, so you can get a better understanding of your children’s behaviour and the underlying reasons for them.

We will explore the 8 different senses, discussing how difficulties processing sensory information can affect our children.

We will then go on to discuss many practical strategies and activities that you as parents can do with your children to help them with their sensory and emotional regulation and achieve their superhero potential.

ADHD: A message to the nay-sayers...

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ADHD: A message to the nay-sayers...

A lot of you may not know that as well as being a children’s OT, I am also mummy to two neurodivergent children. This helps massively with informing my practice when working with neurodivergent kids and their families and I really believe has made me better at my job. 

Living with neurodivergence is wonderful, exhausting, frustrating, difficult and sometimes it feels never-ending. Often I feel like I am walking on egg shells, not knowing whether we are going to have a good day or a bad day and I spend a huge amount of time defending and advocating for my children, who often can’t advocate for themselves.

I have written the following article from my perspective as a parent, standing in solidarity with the other parents who are on this rollercoaster ride! 

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Interoception - The hidden but oh so important 8th sense

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Interoception - The hidden but oh so important 8th sense

Discover the fascinating world of interoception, our body's unique ability to understand and respond to its internal state for optimal health and comfort. Learn how this 'eighth sense' functions like a network of internal messengers, guiding children to recognize and react to hunger, thirst, temperature, and emotions. However, interpreting these signals can be challenging for some children, leading to difficulty in managing basic needs and emotions. Find out how to nurture this skill in your child, transforming them into superheroes of self-awareness and emotional regulation. For more insights and guidance on interoception and child development, explore the resources and expert advice available at TherapySPOT.

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Simple Massage for Children

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Some children need that little bit of help to calm them down and keep them regulated so that they can engage, focus, learn and play. Massage can be a quick and easy way to bring children down if they are running too high. Deep pressure is calming for the brain and can help children more easily make sense of their surroundings and respond appropriately to stimuli. Try incorporating it into your child’s normal routine e.g. as part of getting them dressed, while playing with them on the floor or before bed.

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