Navigating Neurodiversity: Supporting children with anxiety, ADHD & Autism

Parenting today is more complex than ever. While some children are easy going and require little intervention, others constantly challenge boundaries, leaving parents worried about their attitude, emotional immaturity, and lack of motivation—especially in the context of social media use and excessive gaming. Understanding these behaviours through the lens of neurodevelopment can be key to effective support.

In addition, an overwhelmingly common presentation in today’s world is anxiety, and the diagnosis of autism is also on the rise. Many young people are struggling to attend school and navigate peer friendships. They exhibit all manner of anxiety symptoms including panic attacks, OCD, rigid eating and exercise patterns, overthinking and dreading the future. For children and teenagers who have a diagnosis of either ADHD or autism, or both, meltdowns can be a regular feature of family life.

Join us for this focused day on supporting children, tailored for parents and professionals, with information on anxiety, ADHD and autism included. This workshop also offers valuable insights into the challenges of childhood diagnosis and equips attendees with practical tools to better understand, support, and advocate for young people navigating neurodiversity. A trove of effective strategies supporting children and teenagers at home, in school and socially will be presented.

Info: Bronagh Starrs is a Mental Health Consultant and an expert in the area of contemporary adolescence. An experienced psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, parenting consultant, writer and trainer, she is based in Omagh, Northern Ireland. Bronagh is Creator and Programme Director of the MSc Adolescent Psychotherapy in Dublin Counselling & Therapy Centre in partnership with University of Northampton. A recognised expert in the field of adolescent psychotherapy, Bronagh teaches and presents internationally on the developmental phenomena and therapeutic dynamics of contemporary adolescence. Bronagh also has extensive experience teaching and presenting in the areas of women’s wellbeing, trauma recovery, workplace wellbeing and the psychological impact of medical trauma.

Bronagh’s first book Adolescent Psychotherapy - A Radical Relational Approach (Routledge, 2019) has received international acclaim.

Info: The morning session is for parents and professionals, to allow parents attending time to reflect prior to their afternoon/evening commitments.

Info: Bronagh Starrs is a Mental Health Consultant and an expert in the area of contemporary adolescence. She's an experienced psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, parenting consultant, writer and trainer. Bronagh is Creator and Programme Director of the MSc Adolescent Psychotherapy in Dublin Counselling & Therapy Centre in partnership with University of Northampton. A recognised expert in the field of adolescent psychotherapy, Bronagh teaches and presents internationally on the developmental phenomena and therapeutic dynamics of contemporary adolescence. Bronagh’s book Adolescent Psychotherapy - A Radical Relational Approach (Routledge, 2019) has received international acclaim. She has contributed to the collected volume, Relational Child, Relational Brain (Gestalt Press/Routledge, 2017). Her most recent publication is Adolescent Configuration Styles, Parenting and Psychotherapy A Relational Perspective (Routledge 2023.) Her new book in Irish is due for publication soon.

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