ABC Children & Young People’s Therapy: Specialist Neurodivergent Support

01/12/2025

This is so true—whether we’re talking about traditional play therapy or video-gaming-based therapy. The fantastic therapist at Redwood has inspired many of my videos (with permission, of course) and continues to show how the therapeutic process creates safety, connection, and genuine opportunities for healing.

01/12/2025

Stopping a preferred activity is incredibly hard for many children, especially those who are overwhelmed or neurodivergent.
Timers and explanations don’t work because dysregulation isn’t logical — it’s emotional.
A gentle boundary (empathy → instruction → calm repetition) supports safety, predictability, and co-regulation.
The first use may take ten or more repeats, but it gets easier each time as the child feels more secure.

25/11/2025

Wizardkeen is a popular YouTuber, who’s also been involved in producing ‘Reflect World’ for Minecraft Education an emotional and wellness world for classrooms. But this is my favourite video.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

24/11/2025

I’ve always admired the Finnish education system - but it’s frustrating how quickly some educators reduce its success to “respectful families.” A little critical thinking shows it’s far more complex. Finland’s outcomes are rooted in a nurturing social structure, genuine community values, and proper investment in children, families and public services. It isn’t about ‘better parenting’; it’s about better resourcing.

Finland’s education system is a remarkable example of quality over quantity. Children attend school for only 4–5 hours per day, enjoy less homework, and have ample playtime, yet consistently rank at the top globally in learning outcomes.
The key lies in highly trained teachers, personalized learning, and emphasis on well-being. Shorter school days reduce stress, foster curiosity, and allow students to develop social and emotional skills alongside academics. Finland proves that effective learning doesn’t require long hours — it requires thoughtful pedagogy and nurturing environments.
This approach challenges traditional education norms worldwide, showing that student-centered learning and balance can produce both happiness and academic excellence.

24/11/2025

💻Gaming - Who decided what ‘excessive’ looks like? Response to great article Autism Awareness’ below.

There’s a lot of information online about “excessive gaming” and how autistic young people supposedly “use video games to escape”. I wanted to share a bit of balance - because much of what gets repeated isn’t actually evidence-based.

🔹 Yes, some people use games to cope with stress, anxiety or low mood - but escapism isn’t automatically harmful. It can be healthy, grounding and protective. It only becomes a problem if it replaces needs that aren’t being met elsewhere.

🔹 Autistic children aren’t “more at risk” because they game. They often enjoy gaming because it offers predictability, deep focus, clear rules, social connection and a safe space to explore interests. That isn’t pathology - that’s self-regulation.

🔹 Autistic young people do experience higher levels of anxiety and depression, but this is due to unmet needs, masking, sensory overwhelm and school-based stress - not because they play games. In fact, gaming often reduces distress.

🔹 The old ‘2 hours a day’ advice hasn’t been evidence-based for years. The American Academy of Pediatrics actually removed that limit back in 2016. What matters is balance, context and wellbeing - not counting minutes.

🔹 Large-scale studies consistently show that light to moderate gaming is neutral or positive for wellbeing. Restricting it harshly can actually increase stress.

🔹 Gaming only becomes a concern for a very small minority (1–3%), and usually when a child is already struggling with anxiety, school refusal or unmet support needs. The gaming isn’t the root cause - it’s the coping strategy.

For many families - including mine - gaming is a shared passion and a way to connect. It’s communication, co-regulation, humour, teamwork, and a world where our children can feel competent and in control.

The conversation shouldn’t be “how many hours?”
It should be “does this support my child’s wellbeing?”

And for so many neurodivergent young people, the answer is a very clear yes.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZvVQq1KPe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Why do so many autistic kids and teens love gaming? Because it's creative, structured, rewarding and full of chances to connect with people who really get them. Gaming can build problem-solving skills, spark imagination, and offer a safe space to explore identity and friendship.

We take a look at why gaming matters, and how, in an era of screen saturation, families can keep it healthy and balanced. Read more via link in comments.

17/11/2025

✨ Using Minecraft for Trauma Work Within a Non-Directive Play Therapy

I Model use Minecraft within a non-directive play therapy model to support children processing trauma, conflict, or loss of autonomy.
Calm reflection — not questioning — helps build safety, trust, and emotional regulation.
Digital play can be a powerful therapeutic space.

17/11/2025

I use Minecraft as a medium for trauma work within a non-directive play therapy model.
This short reflection shows how children may explore control, safety, and trust through digital play — especially if they’ve experienced violence, conflict, or a loss of autonomy.

I don’t interpret or analyse their behaviour.
I simply use calm, gentle reflection to help the child feel safe, in control, and understood.
Repetition, containment, and symbolic play often unfold across several sessions as trust develops.

Digital play is simply another space where healing can begin, one moment at a time.

17/11/2025

Using Minecraft for Trauma Work Within a Non-Directive Play Therapy Model

13/11/2025

I’m not usually one for sharing testimonials - they’re too easy to fake and often feel like marketing rather than truth.

But this one stopped me, because it reflects exactly what I work so hard to do.

A recent NHS clinician told me:
“Thanks to the comprehensive report by Amanda, this was an easy diagnosis.”

For me, that’s the highest compliment.
I pride myself on writing reports that ask the right questions, in the right way, and genuinely reflect the child’s voice. Too many professional’s assume they “know better,” or they use over-complicated language that children don’t understand - which completely defeats the purpose of asking for their views.

My role is to build trust, create safety, and give children the confidence to share their needs openly - in their own words, not mine.

When that happens, the report becomes congruent, honest, and genuinely useful. It tells other professionals what the child really needs, not what adults think they need.

That’s the standard I hold myself to every single time. Amanda 💛

https://abcmentalhealthsupport.com/assessments