Where to get help

Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help if you are struggling to cope with your child’s challenging behaviour.

• Ask your GP or paediatrician if they can refer your child to a behaviour analyst, child psychologist or clinical psychologist for assessment and therapy.

• A referral to an occupational therapist can help with sensory issues, and offer techniques for helping your child to manage transition and change, and developing social and play skills.

• Contact your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) clinic to enquire about classes.  It will depend on your area, but some examples of CAMHS classes include both parents and children in different classes where children are shown techniques for recognising the early signs of ‘meltdowns’ and how to manage them, while parents are given tips on time-outs, reward systems, chore charts, social stories, picture board do's and don’t’s and included was a relaxation element for parents to de-stress when pushed too far.

• Talk to your child’s school. their teacher, SENCO and Learning Support Assistant will be able to work together with you on strategies to help reduce challenging behaviour.