by Louise Doyle
CHANGES in how children spend their time is leading to increased behavioural issues, a Donegal practitioner has warned.
Established behaviour analyst, Roisin Doherty leads The Child Behaviour Consultancy helping parents of children from three to 12 years of age with a range of child behaviours including tantrums, sibling rivalry and negative behaviour generally.
Roisin graduated with an Honours Degree in Psychology from Magee University in Derry, before going on to complete a Postgraduate in Behaviour in NUI Galway and a Master’s in Behaviour in Queen’s University in Belfast.
Having passed the Board exam and certified with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board as a Behaviour Analyst, Roisin ‘took the leap’ and set up The Child Behaviour Consultancy.
Speaking to the Donegal News, the Buncrana woman told of how while completing her studies she became aware of a gap in service provision in the area of child behavioural issues.
Roisin is supporting parents not only in Donegal but across the country, by both in-person or Zoom appointments.
“While studying as a student, I originally started off volunteering with ICARE in Buncrana, and then got a paid post there. ICARE is a respite day centre for individuals with Autism.
“A lot of the children who go to ICARE, also attend the local primary school, Scoil Íosagáín, which has a great set up when it comes to supporting children with additional needs. Alongside working at ICARE, I also spent a year subbing as a Special Needs Assistant in Scoil Íosagáin. Through my time working in both ICARE and in Scoil Íosagáin, I gained a lot of knowledge & experience working with children, that has been very beneficial in the work that I am doing now.
“While completing my studies, I recognised a growing need for support for parents when it comes to child behaviour, not just locally, but across the country too. So, in 2017, I took the leap and set up The Child Behaviour Consultancy, which allows parents across the country to consult with myself and get to use my knowledge and expertise as a Behaviour Analyst to help addressing their child’s behaviour.”
Ms Doherty said children’s behaviour has changed over the past number of years, which, she said, can, in some cases, be attributed to more screen time and less time spent outdoors.
“In the last few decades, there has been a big change in parenting style, and a big change in how children spend their time, in relation to they get a lot more screen time and a lot less time playing, especially outdoors. As a result of these things combined, this has led to an increase in behavioural issues in children, and parents are looking for help with behaviour, more so now than ever.
“I help parents with child behaviour such as tantrums, refusing to accept no, not doing as asked, sibling bickering/rivalry, and general negative behaviour.”
Parents who contact The Child Behaviour Consultancy for support will be provided with a bespoke plan. But Roisin does not meet with their child(ren).
Explaining why, she said: “I conduct one-to-one consultations with parents. The appointments can be in-person or via Zoom.
“I don’t meet with the child, and it is best the child is not aware that their parents are consulting with me, as this can lead to the child thinking that there is ‘something is wrong with them’ or that they are ‘a bold child’, which can lead to the behaviour escalating.
“Instead, I consult with the parents in order to address the behaviour – as when the parents change their approach to the behaviour and how they are responding to it, this is when they will see the change in the behaviour.
“A bespoke plan is drawn up for each family, with advice and strategies specifically tailored for that family’s particular situation, and to help turn things around for them.”
Roisin said parents generally don’t need many appointments.
“Parents only need to come to me for a few appointments generally, as during these appointments, they acquire the knowledge and skills they need to understand and address the behaviour. Parents don’t stay on my case load long term, and as a result, the number of parents I support constantly changes and is never the same.
Roisin Doherty can be contacted via 089 451 1432 or by e-mailing thechildbehaviourconsultancy@outlook.ie
See https://thechildbehavi ourconsultancy.com/ for more information.
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