Building Flexible Thinking
Child Profile
A school-aged child with ADHD with severe inhibitory control difficulties who became easily overwhelmed whenever faced with frustration, unexpected changes or tasks that felt difficult.
Approach
We transformed problem-solving into a playful symbolic experience. Every challenge became a cloud, while every possible solution became a light bulb hanging from it. Together, we explored ideas, tested them in real situations and chose the strategy that worked best. The child even took their own "cloud" home so the family could use the same language beyond therapy.
Initial Challenge
Once emotionally stuck, it was hard to pause, think of alternatives and regain control.
Progress/Outcome
The child became more aware of moments of frustration, more flexible when things didn't go as expected and increasingly able to generate and implement solutions independently - both during therapy and in everyday life.
Why it Matters
This case is meaningful to me because it reflects one of my core principles: children don't just need solutions—they need tools that help them discover their own. Children learn best when complex thinking becomes something they can see, perform, move through and experience.
Embracing Challenging Behaviours Through Trauma-Informed Care
A preschool-aged child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Global Developmental Delay.
Child Profile
A preschool-aged child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Global Developmental Delay, experiencing significant distress at home, school and during therapy.
Initial Challenge
The child shifted from seeking rituals to actively seeking the therapeutic relationship — developing greater flexibility, emotional understanding and confidence during transitions.
Approach
Building trust through play, visual supports and emotional language — transforming rigid rituals into flexible interactions, with consistent support from parents, school and the multidisciplinary team.
Progress/Outcome
Meaningful change doesn't require confrontation. When children feel understood and emotionally safe, they become active participants in their own development.
Why it Matters
Trauma-informed care reduces anxiety, builds safety and connection, and creates the foundation for lasting growth across environments.