Parenting through separation

When parents separate, it can be especially difficult for children. Psychologist Pauline Ogilvy explains how communication can help to make the transition as stress-free as possible.

Conners ADHD assessment

The Conners 3rd Edition (Conners 3®) is an assessment tool designed to measure a range of behaviours in children from six to 18 years. It is a thorough assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its most common comorbid problems and disorders. The Conners 3 typically takes 20 minutes and is completed by parents, caregivers, teachers and children aged eight years and above. This provides us with information across home, social and school settings.

The Skills assessed:

• Inattention/Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
• Learning Problems
• Executive Functioning
• Defiance/Aggression
• Peer/Family Relations

The Conners assessment helps clinicians to inform an ADHD diagnosis with results that have direct connections to DSM-5 symptom criteria. It also assesses common comorbid disorders (Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder) to assist clinicians with differential diagnosis. The scores obtained inform intervention and treatment strategies by identifying specific challenge areas to work on. The forms can also be utilized to create progress reports and monitor response to intervention and determine the effectiveness of treatment.

The Conners assessment is a reliable and dependable tool designed to support the diagnostic and identification process as well as inform the intervention and treatment plan.

Study and loneliness

When studying, it can be a lonely time. Provisional Psychologist Ciaran Barry explains some way that can assist can help to make this time more fulfilling.

Know someone who is self harming?

If you know someone who is self harming it can be difficult to know how best to support them. Provisional Psychologist Ciaran Barry explains some way that can assist so further self harm can be minimized and hopefully end.

Excelling in Online learning! 

Online learning is not for everyone yet some excell and others struggle. In current times it have been imposed on many and learning to navigate it well is key to success. Provisional Psychologist Ciaran Barry explains some way that can assist to make it work for you.

Quality Time

Psychologist Pauline Ogilvy gives some suggestions for finding family time and spending meaningful moments with your child, even on your busiest days.

Keeping the Spark Alive

When 'couple' becomes 'family', your journey together takes a new turn. While it's an exciting time, the arrival of a baby can wreak havoc on the balance you and your partner had worked out in your relationship. It can be all too easy to forget why you're with your partner in the first place. Remember that 'newlywed' feeling of dewy-eyed rapture you got every time you looked your loved one in the eye? What happened to it?

Avoiding mealtime problems

Family gathering around the dinner table remains an important part of our social fabric. It is an opportunity for family members to share their day's experiences, enjoy each other's company and join in the planning of family activities.

Preparing toddlers for newborns

Expecting a new baby in the household it is typically an exciting time with much attention paid to this up coming event. Often owing to the uncertainty of when baby will arrive there is a need to pack and have arrangements in place for the care of the other child(ren). A place for the baby to sleep, baby clothes, changing and bathing equipment, car seats and a pram or buggy need to be ready for use. This involves some organisation and can be an uncertain time for the older child(ren) in the family if they are not sure of what to expect. Sometimes siblings have fears of being displaced, and no longer being the child that parents lavish all their attention on.

Taming toddler tantrums - Under 5

Kicking and screaming, wailing and whining, foot stamping, floor pounding, arm flapping... No, it's not performance art, it's a toddler tantrum. Here's how to cope with your little one's amateur dramatics - and keep your sanity.

Encouraging children to sleep well - Under 5

Once children arrive, sleep and having enough of it takes on another meaning. Sleep is so precious and getting enough of it at times is difficult.

Tune in or turn off?

Once children arrive, sleep and having enough of it takes on another meaning. Sleep is so precious and getting enough of it at times is difficult.

Emotional regulation

Flipping your lid.  The hand model of the brain see this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTnCMxEnnv8

Story book for school age children who lose their cool at school- "Some days I just flip my lid" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qExgmMeQk3s