Helping or holding them back? Building independence in neurodivergent children
Published: September 2026
Are you wondering whether you're supporting your child too much? Perhaps you've been helping them with the same things for a long time and are starting to wonder, "When should I step back?" or "How do I help my child become more independent without taking away the support they need?"
For parents of primary-aged or early secondary-school children — particularly neurodivergent children — this can be difficult. You may worry that asking your child to do more will create unnecessary stress, or that doing things for them is slowing their development.
In this video, Dr Bettina Hohnen, clinical psychologist and expert in child and adolescent mental health, explains how to recognise when your child may be ready for less scaffolding, and how to build their independence without removing support too quickly.
