ADHD coaching for Parents – by a Child Psychologist
Child psychologists at Rose Park Park Psychology, are able to test for the presence of ADHD and write an assessment report. This report is useful for the identification of the probable diagnosis, but formal diagnosis of ADHD enabling the prescription of medication, is done by a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Schools will accept a report from a psychologist.
If you are seeking ADHD assessment visit our ADHD assessment page.
So you have an ADHD diagnosis. What Next? What can a psychologist offer?
For a child, with an ADHD diagnosis, the Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines recommends bimodal treatment. Bimodal means both medication and psychology.
Medication is the first line treatment in children because our children need assistance to get the most out of their education and that means using medication to enable them to focus in the classroom. If they are not focusing, they are missing out and this has lifelong implications.
Stimulants prescribed will be short-acting (3-4 hours) or long acting (6-8 hours) before burning out of the system altogether. Children can safely take them for school days only, if that suits them and their families. Sometimes, children still prefer to take them over weekends and school holidays because they feel other positive improvements aside from focus, such as reduced anger, impulsivity and risk-taking and more emotional stability. GPs can prescribe non-stimulant medication, but as the effectiveness of this class is inconsistent and they are generally less effective, they remain a ‘third line’ treatment.
After an ADHD diagnosis – Get started on psychological support as soon as possible.
Psychological intervention and support can start immediately.
Psychological support will focus on building life skills with the aim to reduce – or perhaps even remove – the need for medication in the longer term.
Rose Park Psychology also offers sessions for parents to understand how to best support their child; to answer questions about navigating options for school or medication options; supporting core skills building like time management, procrastination, behaviour and emotional management; managing common co-occurring experiences such as anxiety and depression; and understanding the role of sleep, nutrition and exercise.
What does Psychological Support look like?
Coaching for parents of children with ADHD
Typically, our one-on-one coaching runs up to 10 sessions and covers:
- What is ADHD? What exactly is different about my brain/ my child’s brain? What does that mean?
- How do we make mornings more successful, avoid after-school melt-downs and respond to school refusal?
- Medication options – what are they and what can we expect?
- The first three pillars of self-care for ADHD: Sleep, nutrition and exercise.
- Sleep difficulties: falling asleep, staying asleep, delayed sleep cycles. Why and what do I do?
- Nutrition: what should I be wary of in my diet and what supplements can help me with symptoms? Why do I comfort eat, or seek easy (fast foods)? What can I do?
- Exercise: why is this so critical in a dopamine-deprived brain? What do different types of exercise do for my brain?
From here, depending on what the client is experiencing and wanting to improve in their lives, we can offer support and guidance on the following topics:
Common experiences if you have ADHD:
- Depression, anxiety and others. Why, what to look out for and how to manage them.
- Learning difficulties: diagnosis, support and impact
- Oppositional behaviours: Support for parents and children, as well as recommendations for school
- Negative bias and rejection sensitivity
- Burnout and masking
- Busy brains: overthinking, overplanning and exhaustion
- Communication difficulties and social skills including communicating in families and partner relationships
- Key difficulties with ADHD: executive function and focus:
- Perfectionism, motivation, task initiation and task stopping
- Time management and deadlines
- Decision-making, tolerating change and overplanning
- Focus and attention
- Hormones and ADHD
- Emotional regulation: anger and other big feelings.
Each session will include a summary email and a resource to take home.
What are some other resources I can look at to help understand ADHD, hear some tips and lived experiences and continue the learning journey?
Have a look at the following YouTube presenters, podcasters and websites for more ideas to experiment with and see what helps you – or to just learn more about ADHD:
Contact Rose Park Psychology
Please contact us on (08) 8333 0940 or email admin@roseparkpsychology.com.au to explain your needs and find out more about our assessments, what they will cost, and how to book an appointment. Or book online.
