Elm Tree Children’s Therapy

23/09/2025

Trump is not the person to listen to about Autism- what he said is untrue and he is spreading misinformation which is incredibly dangerous. Autism does not need a cure- Ableism does!!

07/09/2025

Families across Wales say there is a lack of holiday facilities for their autistic children.

01/08/2025

31/07/2025

I have recently been looking into any research around the benefits of skateboarding for children with ADHD- this was inspired by some wonderful boys I support who have taken up the sport and are loving it.

I came across this study by Christ et al, 2024, in the Frontiers in Pediatrics Journal. There are some limitations to the research (so results should be interpreted with caution) but they did find some statistically significant results including some improvement with balance and cognitive function.

Reading this study, however, mostly made me think about activities and sports which are less rule based and regulated and encourage children to free style and use their creativity while also exercising and working on the development of motor skills. I can see how this could be a really fun and motivating activity for children with ADHD and I will be considering these important aspects of activities going forward.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this- please do share below.

10/06/2025

A need is a need is a need!

If a child has a need, then they need support to address that need. So often, children are encouraged to ignore their needs and comply with what is expected in the environment- essentially being encouraged to mask.

A child’s need doesn’t go away just because it are inconvenient, there is a lack of resources or it makes people uncomfortable.

Children, no matter what their needs or
neurotype, should be encouraged to express their needs. An environment and culture which supports children to express their needs will reduce the need to mask and support children’s mental health and wellbeing.

05/06/2025

Let’s talk about MASKING:

Masking is a way that some neurodivergent people may adjust their behaviour, or hide difficulties, in order to fit in to societal standards.

We all mask to some extent in our lives, but the long term effect of masking in neurodivergent people can lead to significant mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.

For autistic individuals, masking can also contribute to autistic burnout. Day to day it can cause exhaustion and low self esteem as it can prevent individuals from being their true selves.

One of the most important things we can do to support people who mask is to create a culture where differences and celebrated and people meeting their needs is validated.

Learning about an individual’s specific and unique needs will help to know the best ways to support them to feel like they can be their true selves in different environments.

15/05/2025

I have been thinking a lot about the theme of this years - Community. I spend a lot of my working week in schools- one of the most consistent communities in many of our children’s lives.

There are many ways schools can support children’s mental health- by involving students in decision making, communicating with families and integrating movement, mindfulness and breathing exercises into daily school life- to mention just a few.

We can’t talk about mental health and schools without thinking about teachers who are under more and more pressure these days. Their mental health needs to be considered in the same way as their students.

13/05/2025

This week is 2025. The theme for this week is Community.

Being part of a safe and positive community is so important for our mental health. Having strong connections with other people and supportive communities helps us to thrive and remind us that we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose.

02/04/2025

18/03/2025

We’re proud to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025! 🌟
This week is all about challenging misconceptions, breaking down barriers, and celebrating the incredible strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals.
Together, let’s create a more inclusive world that understands and champions neurodiversity in all its forms.

13/03/2025

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Cerebral Palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood. I am lucky to support some wonderful children who have Cerebral Palsy and I will be wearing Green as much as I can this month to raise awareness of this condition. Check out cerebralpalsyguide.com to find out how you can help raise awareness.

💚 .

26/02/2025

Wobble cushions are a very common sensory tool used in classrooms. They can offer a child movement while they sit in their chair, and are often used for children who seek movement or find it hard to stay sitting. They can be effective tools but need to be used appropriately. Often they are given to children to sit on all day, which is most often not the best strategy. As a child is constantly moving while sitting on these cushions, they will tire more quickly, especially if they have reduced core stability. They are usually best used for short periods throughout the day and the child should always have to option to take it away if they are finding it hard to sit on.