Understand the signs, explore your options and find the right support in Perth.
Many parents notice differences in their child’s learning, behaviour, or development and aren’t sure if they should be concerned.
They have big meltdowns or challenges managing emotions.
School or daycare tell you “they’re fine” but they have a HUGE meltdown as soon as you pick them up.
Or they may be completely OK at home but school are telling you their behaviour is challenging there.
They start saying things like “I hate reading”, “I’m dumb” or “I hate school”.
They’re struggling to keep up with their classmates. You’re watching their self-esteem be crushed as learning “clicks” for their peers, but not for them.
Friendships are tricky. There might be intense friendships with lots of conflict.
Or maybe they’re struggling to find their kind of people. They feel left out and it hurts.
“All kids learn at different rates.”
“It will all come together around year three. It will just click.”
“Boys are just a bit slower than girls but it’s nothing to worry about.”
These are all things I was told by friends, family and professionals.
They wanted to reassure me that everything was OK. But really all it did was make me doubt myself.
Was I being an anxious, helicopter parent? Turns out I wasn’t.
I’ve been on a steep learning curve ever since. Along the way I’ve met so many wonderfully passionate people who have generously shared their expertise: occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, speech pathologists, doctors, educators and other parents.
All passionately suspporting our kids who learn differently and all of them trying to change a system that leaves too many kids falling through the cracks.
Quick, low-cost tools to see if your child may need further assessment.
Formal assessments by qualified specialists (psychologists, paediatricians, speech pathologists, OTs).
Your GP can provide referrals and schools can share observations.
