http://lighthousepsychology.ie/

Lighthouse Psychology, Top Floor, Ardkeen Shopping Centre, Dunmore Road, Waterford X91 AE01, Waterford (2026)

03/04/2026

At Lighthouse Psychology, we are always looking for high-quality, neuroaffirmative resources for the families we support. We are delighted to highlight this upcoming two-part training hosted by Family Carers Ireland.

Delivered by Autism specialist Amanda McGuinness, this series is a unique blend of professional expertise and lived parental experience. It is specifically designed for families of Autistic children and teenagers who also have an Intellectual Disability.

What to expect:
✅ Part 1: Understanding the co-occurrence of Autism and ID across the lifespan.
✅ Part 2: Practical, strategy-focused guidance for home, school, and the community.

🗓 Date: Tuesday, April 14th
🕙 Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Location: Online

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain practical tools and an affirming framework for your family journey.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/autism-intellectual-disability-understanding-supporting-family-life-tickets-1982685450555?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

01/04/2026

Making Easter Accessible and Joyful for Every Child

Easter can be a magical time of springtime wonder, but for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the changes in routine and sensory input can feel overwhelming.

At Lighthouse Psychology, we believe every child deserves to enjoy the holiday in a way that feels safe, predictable, and affirming. Here are a few sensory-friendly tips to help make your Easter celebrations more comfortable:
🐰Mind the Textures: If formal "Easter best" clothes are itchy or restrictive, opt for soft, familiar favourites in spring colours instead.
🐰Predictable Hunting: Practice egg hunts at home first. Use clear, visual boundaries so your child knows exactly where to look.
🐰Visual Storytelling: Use visual schedules or social stories to explain the "who, what, and where" of family gatherings or community events.
🐰Sensory-Smart Treats: If your child is sensitive to tastes or textures, fill plastic eggs with preferred snacks or small sensory toys rather than traditional chocolate.
🐰Create a "Quiet Nest": Whether at home or visiting relatives, ensure there is a designated quiet zone equipped with noise-cancelling headphones or favourite stim toys.
🐰Participation on Their Terms: It’s okay if your child prefers to watch the festivities from a distance. Observation is a valid form of celebration!

Easter doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it can be inclusive and supportive.

Need more guidance? If you'd like more tailored support for your child or family, our team is here to help you navigate these transitions.

Visit https://lighthousepsychology.ie/

30/03/2026

🐰 Easter Competition Time! 🐰

🩵 Send us a photo of your best egg - painted, drawn, decorated, whatever works for you.

📅 Deadline: 11:59PM Sunday, April 5th
🎁 Prize: A €50 voucher or a fabulous art set - winner chooses!
📣 Winner announced: Monday 6th at 6pm!

We’ll be sharing all the entries on our social media, so everyone gets to see the amazing artwork.

📩 Send a photo of your artwork to us via Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn messages — we’d love to see what you come up with!

27/03/2026

The "Transition Cliff": We Hear You. 💙

Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood is a major milestone, but for parents and caregivers of autistic youth, it often comes with a unique set of worries.

A recent study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders highlights the most common concerns caregivers face during this time, from future independence and employment to social safety and long-term support.

At Lighthouse Psychology, we know that these worries aren't just "phases", they are real, lived experiences that require professional guidance and a supportive plan. You don’t have to navigate this transition alone.

Whether you need an updated assessment or a strategy session for the road ahead, our team in Waterford is here to help your family move forward with confidence.

Do you have any specific worries you would like us to cover on social media? Please send us a message!

📖 Read the latest research here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41793611/

🏠 Learn how we support families: https://lighthousepsychology.ie/

25/03/2026

This post is a little different from our usual ones, but it’s a book we had to share. 📖✨

We want to highlight the beautiful new book, "Just See Me - Seeing Beyond Difference." Written by Sarah Gannon, a Kilkenny-based Occupational Therapist and mum to two, Sarah’s inspiration comes from her daughter, Ciara, who has CHARGE syndrome.

With a career in paediatrics since 2009 and multiple peer-reviewed articles to her name, Sarah is now using her voice to encourage inclusion and acceptance. This isn't just a book, it's a mission to help the world see the child, not just the diagnosis. ❤️

23/03/2026

Finding Your Balance: The Power of the "Wise Mind" 🧠⚖️

Do you ever feel torn between your logical thoughts and your intense emotions?

In Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), we call this the struggle between the Reasonable Mind (just the facts) and the Emotional Mind (just the feelings). The goal isn't to pick one, it’s to find your Wise Mind.

The Wise Mind is that "inner click" where logic and emotion meet. It’s where you acknowledge how you feel without letting it drive the bus, and where you use logic without becoming a robot.

At Lighthouse Psychology, we empower our clients with evidence-based tools like these to help manage stress and make clearer decisions.

20/03/2026

Why the Right ADHD Assessment Matters 🧠

At LightHouse Psychology, we know that starting the journey toward an ADHD assessment is a big step for any family. We want to ensure you have the clarity you deserve from day one.

It’s important to remember: not all ADHD assessments are the same.

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about "fast" assessments. Speed isn't the issue, oversimplification is. A quick process shouldn't mean cutting corners on the details that matter most for your long-term care.

What families deserve to know:
❓Who is assessing? You should have full confidence in the clinician’s qualifications.
❓Who is diagnosing? Clarity on the diagnostic process is essential for peace of mind.
❓Who is accountable? You deserve to know there is a professional standard backing every decision.

The Risk of "Shortcut" Assessments
Poorly structured or oversimplified assessments often lead to more hurdles later. We frequently see families who have to pay for a second assessment or face significant delays because their initial report wasn't comprehensive enough for schools or other healthcare providers.

Our goal is to get it right the first time, providing a clear and reliable roadmap for your future.

Have questions about the assessment process? We’re here to help.

18/03/2026

Sometimes life feels like a storm, and all we need is a steady light to guide us back to shore. We are pleased to share that we currently have limited spaces available for individual therapy at Lighthouse Psychology.

Whether you are navigating anxiety, managing stress, or working through trauma, our team of Chartered Consultant Psychologists is here to provide evidence-based, compassionate support tailored to your unique journey.

Our Specialisms Include:
👉CBT & EMDR
👉Anxiety & Depression
👉PTSD & Trauma Recovery
👉Neurodiversity Support (ADHD & ASD)
👉Work-Life Balance & Burnout

Take the first step toward restoring your wellbeing.

🔗 Link in bio to learn more or book a consultation.
📍 Located in Waterford & serving clients nationwide.
📧 info@lighthousepsychology.ie
📞 051 349680

16/03/2026

Something I have noticed that often comes up during sessions:

A common concern I hear from parents when their child is assessed for autism is: “My child struggles with identifying, understanding, or describing their own emotions.”

This experience is often linked to Alexithymia.

By definition, Alexithymia refers to difficulty processing and recognising emotions, as well as a tendency to focus on external, concrete experiences rather than internal ones.

It is important to note that this is not about an intellectual or linguistic understanding of emotion words. Rather, Alexithymia relates to the processing involved in monitoring and recognising one’s own emotional states.

Alexithymia is very common among autistic people. Research suggests it is around 10 times more prevalent in autistic individuals compared to non-autistic individuals, with prevalence rates of just under 50% and just under 5% respectively (Kinnaird, E., Stewart, C. & Tchanturia, K., 2019).

While not all autistic people experience Alexithymia, with prevalence rates so high, it is important to consider for several reasons:

It highlights emotional awareness difficulties that may contribute to social-communication challenges in autism.

It can significantly contribute to emotional regulation difficulties in autistic individuals.

It highlights that emotional dysregulation may stem from difficulty connecting internal feelings with understanding and response, rather than autism alone.

It can help inform more tailored approaches that better support emotional processing and regulation.

For me, this is an important reminder that when a child struggles to express or explain how they feel, it doesn’t mean the emotions aren’t there. Often, the challenge lies in recognising and making sense of those internal experiences.

Understanding this can help shift our perspective from expecting explanation to supporting awareness, giving children the tools and time they need to connect with their emotions in their own way.

13/03/2026

A new study recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders explores the Quality of Life for caregivers of children with developmental disorders. The research highlights several key factors that predict a higher quality of life for parents and guardians:

🔹 Social Support: Having a reliable network is one of the strongest buffers against stress.
🔹 Access to Services: Timely, professional support for the child significantly reduces caregiver burden.
🔹 Resilience & Coping Strategies: Learning specific tools to manage daily challenges makes a measurable difference in long-term wellbeing.

Our takeaway? You cannot pour from an empty cup. To give your child the best support, your own mental health and quality of life must be a priority. 💡

11/03/2026

Stop looking for a "tutor" and start looking for an interventionist. If you’ve felt like standard coaching hasn't "clicked," it’s likely because it lacked a psychological backbone. We bridge the gap between simple organisation and deep-level behavioural change.

We focus on:
👉The Context: Because ADHD doesn't exist in a vacuum.
👉The Person: Tailoring the approach for the boardroom vs. the classroom.
👉The Science: Coaching integrated with psychological frameworks.
👉The Outcome: Performance, regulation, and responsibility.

Generic is easy. Expert is rare. We choose the latter.

11/03/2026

Big kudos to Jennifer Roach, United In Blue ASD group for raising the financial issues that families have with ‘beige diet’ eating in ASD. Lighthouse Psychology fully support her wish for the big fast food chains to provide a discount to families who rely on certain foods to feed their kids. Prof Chrissie, Clinical Director of Lighthouse will be on WLR tomorrow at 11.15 to support this.

Lighthouse Psychology

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