Exploring early signs of neurodivergence, sensory differences, communication, regulation and support.
Becoming a parent can bring joy, uncertainty and plenty of questions. You may have started to wonder whether your toddler or pre-school child experiences the world differently. Perhaps they find noise or busy places overwhelming, struggle with changes, have strong interests, communicate in their own way or experience big emotions that are difficult to support.
Overview
It can be hard to know what is part of being a young child and what might be a sign of neurodivergence. In this webinar, Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Siobhan Higgins will explore how neurodivergence can show up in the early years. Together, we’ll consider what you’re noticing and how it may affect everyday family life.
What you’ll learn
We’ll explore how neurodivergence may shape a young child’s experiences, including:
Sensory experiences, such as sounds, touch, tastes, smells, lights and busy places.
Communication, play and connecting with other people.
Big feelings, regulation and what can help a child feel settled.
Routines, transitions and unexpected changes.
Focus, including becoming deeply absorbed in things they enjoy.
Movement and activity, such as a need to fidget, climb or explore.
We’ll also make space to recognise children’s interests, passions and creativity, and the different ways they make sense of the world. We’ll think about what these differences might mean for your family, and what questions you might want to ask your child’s nursery or early years provider. If you feel ready, we’ll consider when and how to talk with health or other professionals.
Who should attend
Anyone wanting to better understand neurodivergence in the early years, including:
Parents and Carers: of toddlers and pre-school children who are wondering whether their child may be neurodivergent.
Professionals: early years Practitioners: educators, family support workers, health and social care professionals
Your workshop facilitator:
Dr. Siobhan Higgins: a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working alongside neurodivergent people and their families. She has worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), research and private practice, and brings a compassionate, family-centred approach to her work.
Siobhan is also a trained parent-infant psychotherapist, with a particular interest in early support and relationships. She works with families who have experienced neonatal care and is a founding member of The Neurodiversity Practice, where she provides teaching, training and consultation. Her work is guided by a commitment to helping families feel understood and supported, and to creating more neuro-inclusive environments
REPLAY INCLUDED: If you can't make the date, then a recording will be available after the webinar for anyone purchasing a ticket.
Previous webinar attendees said:
“I have found this incredibly helpful. We are quite new to this space and I am so grateful - thank you.”
“Really enjoyed this webinar and the presenting style. Good balance of making it accessible and deeper diving. Excellent.”
“Thank you so much for this evening, we are new to exploring this area and have found this evening really insightful.”
“Very informative and no pressure, made to feel comfortable from the start and just refreshing to feel seen and understood.”
“You have helped us to feel validated, seen and heard, and able to move through our daughter’s recent diagnosis. Thank you.”
“Just found it very useful and practical, not only informative.”
“I really liked the helpful suggestions of different ways of explaining… I struggle to connect with abstract concepts so that was really helpful. thank you!”
“Thank you so much for the seminar, really clear and useful.”
“Another really insightful webinar with so many helpful take-aways, really well & kindly explained.”
“I really appreciated the webinar, the content was great and there were regular check ins of the comments and encouragement of emojis/participation; I felt that participants were valued and heard.”
“Thank you very much indeed, really helpful and reassuring (not alone!).”
Please note that this webinar is for educational and informational purposes and is not clinical advice or therapy.
The Neurodivergent Parent Space
Our online event will also give you a taster of what we offer in The Neurodivergent Parent Space, our unique community of parents who are neurodivergent (or wondering).
In a warm, neuroaffirmative space, we offer a library of tailored,evidence-based resources, our premium self-paced emotional regulation course, tea & chat sessions with experienced clinical psychologists, and much more.
Plus, of course, connection with other neurodivergent parents to help you thrive on your parenting journey.
All our webinars and replays are FREE to community members, and best of all the community is FREE to try - and thereafter just £24.99 per month, which is the cost of one regular webinar.
Find out more - and come and join us here!
-
The webinar will be held over Zoom. You will receive a link to the webinar before it starts
-
No, at The Neurodiversity Practice, we understand that you can participate with your camera off. You may wish to type and offer your thoughts and contributions in the chat.
-
Yes if you cannot access the training live it will be recorded and you will have access to the recording for one month.
-
YES! We have self identifying, and wondering facilitators, lived experience through family members as well as clinical experience as psychologists. We also have a panel of neurodivergent parents who co-produce with us and support the work we do.