As the school year progresses, more families and carers, are turning to tailored support to help neurodivergent children manage their behaviours and thrive in the classroom.
Disrupted routines, social overwhelm, and pressure to learn can all trigger stress-related behaviours in children with developmental delay, autism, ADHD, or psychosocial disability. For parents, carers, and teachers, knowing how to respond with calm and consistency is key to supporting children.
LiveBig—a specialist allied health and assessment services provider for children and adults with disability, including those on the NDIS—says more families are now seeking behaviour support practitioners to help children build emotional regulation skills and reduce school-related stress.
"Back-to-school can be especially tough for neurodivergent kids—every bell, transition and expectation can feel overwhelming," says Juliet Middleton, CEO of LiveBig. "We work closely with families, teachers and children to understand what's driving behaviour, and to build positive strategies that create calm and confidence—at home and at school."
"Behaviour support is about recognising each child's unique way of experiencing the world and working together to create environments where they can feel calm, confident and connected," says Middleton.
LiveBig tailors its behaviour support to each child's unique needs and focus on proactive, practical strategies that support emotional regulation and wellbeing. Practitioners use evidence-informed approaches that align with Positive Behaviour Support principles, working collaboratively with families, schools and other providers. LiveBig helps simplify the process of accessing support at home, in the school or via telehealth.
Some common strategies include:
• Visual schedules and social stories to support transitions and routines
• Calming routines and sensory supports to reduce overwhelm
• Positive reinforcement and strength-based planning
• Quiet zones or safe spaces for regulation
• Collaborative support plans that align home and school responses
LiveBig Practitioner, Kelly Deslandes, adds that behaviour support practitioners can communicate with the child in a way that they understand to support them to have their voices, wants, and needs heard.
"This helps the child feel safe and comfortable at school which in turn assists them to regulate their emotions and behaviours," Kelly said.
Tips for parents, carers and teachers
Four ways to help reduce school-related stress at home:
- Create a visual routine with pictures or symbols so your child knows what to expect each day
- Keep mornings calm and predictable, with enough time to transition from home to school
- Offer downtime after school, especially if your child tends to mask emotions during the day
- Work with the school, not against them—share what helps your child regulate at home
