Behaviour support for parents in Malta
I help parents understand what a child’s behaviour is telling them and what to change first at home. You don’t need a diagnosis for this.
What I look at with you
We start with the behaviour itself: when it happens, what comes just before, and what it gets your child or lets them avoid. Then we look at what else is going on, such as sleep, sensory load and recent changes, and at the routines and transitions through the day, because that is where difficulty usually concentrates. From there we choose one or two things to change first.
Things parents often try first
These are examples of where families often begin. What suits your child depends on what we find.
- A visual timetable your child can see.
- Notice before a transition, given more than once.
- One instruction at a time.
- Naming the feeling out loud.
- Planning ahead for the hardest point of the day.
What is the difference between a meltdown and a shutdown?
A meltdown is what happens when a child is overwhelmed, and it is not a choice. A shutdown is the quiet form, where the child goes still or withdrawn. What helps in the moment is fewer words, fewer demands, a safe place and a calm adult. Talking about it comes afterwards, once everyone has settled.
If autism or ADHD is part of the picture, see autism support or ADHD support.