A learning disorder is a neurological condition that affects a child’s ability to acquire, process, or express information. These challenges are not related to intelligence but rather to how the brain processes specific types of information. Learning disorders are more common than many people realise, yet they are often misunderstood.

There are several types of learning disorders, including:

• Dyslexia – Difficulty with reading, spelling, and decoding words.

• Dysgraphia – Challenges with handwriting, spelling, and organising thoughts on paper.

• Dyscalculia – Difficulty understanding numbers, mathematical concepts, and calculations.

Can your home assist with your anxiety?

Yes, absolutely and here is how!

To increase the positive energy or chi in your home in order to reduce your level of anxiety try the following:

• Flowers have been scientifically proven to elevate the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is associated with happiness, focus and calmness. Add a bunch of blooms to your weekly food shopping. At my local supermarket I can pick up a lovely bunch for as little at $8.

• Are you burning candles in the centre of your home?

8 Things to do in the car when anxiety hits on the way to school, an event, work or social activity.

1. Identify you are anxious – label your worry or anxiety, call it out for what it is.

2. Validate that feeling of anxiety – “It is okay to feel anxious. We all experience anxiety”. In fact, we all need a small amount of anxiety in our life to help keep us safe from danger.

3. Identify the trigger – what is making me feel anxious right now?

My Top 3 organisational tips for neurodivergent families:

1. Basic and clear morning and evening routines that state and scaffold the steps involved that are a must be completed guide.

As a child psychologist here are my top 6 things I would do for a child with possible neurodivergence.

1. Seek support from a GP, Paediatrician or Psychologist

2. Validate my child’s feelings and what is going on for them, whether it is worry, big emotions, frustration and anger or feeling overwhelmed.

What is Neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence is a term that you may have heard recently and is an umbrella term that is used to assist in explaining and supporting those in need of support.

What neurodivergence means in simple terms is that an individual has a difference in the wiring of their brain, how their brain works and how their brain interprets the work around them.

My name is Amanda Hawes and I am the owner of The Centred Home and Mind. My goal is to integrate psychology, feng shui and neurodivergence understandings, in a game changing way. I am a psychologist and feng shui practitioner who supports individuals and families to harness the positive energy in their home and minds, and to create a calm world for them to live in.