Practical articles for parents from a Manchester child counsellor: anxiety, autism, ADHD, school and big feelings.https://youngmindsgrow.com/en-gbhttps://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/adhd-big-emotions-after-school/https://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/adhd-big-emotions-after-school/Many children with ADHD explode after school because they've spent the whole day working hard to sit still, focus and hold their feelings in, and they let go once they're home with you. Hunger, tiredness and medication wearing off can add to it. What helps most is a predictable decompression time straight after school, with food, movement, very few questions and no demands until they've recovered.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTneurodivergencehttps://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/meltdown-or-tantrum-autistic-child/https://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/meltdown-or-tantrum-autistic-child/A tantrum usually has a goal behind it and stops once the goal is met or clearly off the table. A meltdown is an involuntary reaction to overload, so your autistic child can't stop it because you've asked. Tantrums settle with calm, steady limits. Meltdowns need less talking, more space and someone safe nearby, and afterwards some thought about what was building up.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTneurodivergencehttps://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/school-refusal-guide-for-parents/https://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/school-refusal-guide-for-parents/School refusal, often called emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), is when anxiety or distress makes it so hard for a child to go to school that they can't get there or can't stay. Contact school early and ask for a meeting with the pastoral lead and the SENCO, so you can agree a written plan with small, realistic steps back. Keep a log, involve your GP, and keep the focus on what is making school feel so hard.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTschool-and-changehttps://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/signs-your-child-needs-counselling/https://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/signs-your-child-needs-counselling/It's worth thinking about counselling when something has changed in your child, it has lasted more than a few weeks, and it's getting in the way of school, sleep, friendships or family life. Look at the pattern over time rather than one bad day. If you're unsure, a short chat with a counsellor or your GP can help you decide, and it doesn't commit you to anything.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTplay-and-counsellinghttps://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/what-happens-in-child-counselling/https://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/what-happens-in-child-counselling/Child counselling usually starts with a conversation with you, the parent, before your child comes in. After that your child has regular sessions, often weekly, where they play, draw, use the sand tray or talk, at their own pace. What your child says stays private unless there's a safety worry, and you meet the counsellor separately from time to time to hear how things are going.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTplay-and-counsellinghttps://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/how-to-tell-your-child-about-counselling/https://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/how-to-tell-your-child-about-counselling/Keep it short and honest, and say it in an ordinary, relaxed way. Tell your child that a counsellor's job is helping children with feelings, that sessions mostly mean playing, drawing or talking, and that they don't have to say anything they don't want to. Don't present counselling as a punishment, and leave plenty of room for their questions.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTplay-and-counsellinghttps://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/camhs-waiting-list-manchester/https://youngmindsgrow.com/blog/camhs-waiting-list-manchester/Stay on the CAMHS waiting list and tell your GP whenever things change. Meanwhile, ask school what support they can offer, look at free and charitable services in Manchester, and think about private counselling so your child has some help now. A short log of what you're seeing makes every conversation with professionals easier.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTcommunity