QbCheck ADHD Assessments Now Available (Adults and Children)
The Therapy Room at Brent Knoll
Initial Assessment
After the initial contact, either Amanda or Leah will give you a to talk about your child's difficulties in more detail, to ensure that this type of therapy is suitable and that we can work together. If you decide to proceed, you'll be sent the paperwork - which (depending on the difficulties) can include assessments relating to sensory and behavioural challenges. This information will help us establish the source of your child's difficulties and formulate the best way for us to work together to help them. You will also receive a Client/Therapist Contract (a downloadable copy is at the bottom of this page).
Session Information
The sessions last up to 1 hour and the first few sessions are usually about getting to know you and your child and vice versa. Normally, the first session is with the parents and child together and we do a little lighthearted play and the child gets the chance to explore the play room, while the therapist talks to the parents.
The therapist will work at the child/young person's pace and some days the experience might energising, but other times it can be exhausting. This is normal. It is also normal to experience setbacks at times, before they begin to feel better.
During the sessions the child/young person and therapist will work together, exploring the difficulties presented in ways that make them feel most comfortable, This can talking therapies, using a sand tray, video games, music, creative arts, role play, using puppets or non-directive play.
Amanda uses Brainspotting in the sessions, which a relative new therapy that enables the child to safely heal, without having to talk about their traumatic experience. But, there's no set format, as each child/young person is different. When working with the child I refer to it as 'Magic Wand' Therapy.
Each session is followed up by email, or phone call with parents/caregivers to talk about how the therapy is going and how they can help to further support their child.
confidentiality
Similar to individual therapy, anything the child says during the session is confidential (unless there is a safeguarding issue, or risk of harm to the child or anyone else). The same goes for anything discussed with parents/caregivers.
Support for Parents
As well as follow-up after each session, additional support with parenting strategies and planning if available between appointments . This doesn't mean your current parenting practices are in any way wrong (you will never be judged or criticised), but a different approach can be helpful to some children. Often if a child has challenging behaviour, parents often run out of ideas, so this can be really helpful.
In some cases, we may also recommend applying for additional support such as an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) and booking other professionals for futher assessments (this could be an Educational Psychologist. Speech and Language Therapist and/or Occupational Therapist, for example). This is all supported by our SEN Advocate, Ellie Smith, who will support you every step of the way, including attending meetings with you and ensuring your child has their needs met in the educational setting.
Support for Schools
Most sessions will take place during the school day, so normally a letter explaining the therapy process and a form to assess how your child copes with the educational environment will be sent to their normal teacher and or SENCO we are also more than happy to help with your child's school/college and on any support plans, so that everyone involved can work with pupil in a way that is best suited to them.