--- title: 'Building independence in neurodivergent children' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/building-independence-in-neurodivergent-children' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/building-independence-in-neurodivergent-children.md' date: '2026-10-15' description: '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.' taxonomy: category: - Toolkit tag: - Neurodivergence type: - Video contributor: - 'Dr Bettina Hohnen' --- # Helping or holding them back? Building independence in neurodivergent children [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) [ ![Nip in the Bud](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/themes/nitb/images/logos/round-logo.png) ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us "About Nip in the Bud") ![Dr Bettina Hohnen](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/06.about-us/02.authors-and-experts/dr-bettina-hohnen/dr-bettina-hohnen.webp) Speaker [Dr Bettina Hohnen](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/dr-bettina-hohnen)speaker Duration: 0h 4m 30s 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. --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [ Previous Post](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/why-wont-my-child-talk-to-me) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/guide-to-autism/autism-image.jpg) ### Article: Guide to Autism or ASC in children [Article: Guide to Autism or ASC in children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/guide-to-autism) Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is a lifelong developmental difference that influences how a child communicates, interacts, and experiences the world.… [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/02.challenges/05.stigma-and-discrimination/helping-your-child-cope-with-stigma/stigma-film.jpg) ### Video: Helping your child cope with stigma [Video: Helping your child cope with stigma](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/challenges/stigma-and-discrimination/helping-your-child-cope-with-stigma) “Stigma” is a powerful film that explores how stigma affects children and the shame and embarrassment parents and caregivers may experience when others… [ Stigma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Stigma) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/02.challenges/03.online-harm/smartphones-and-social-media/staying-safe-online.webp) ### Factsheet: Smartphones and Social Media [Factsheet: Smartphones and Social Media](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/challenges/online-harm/smartphones-and-social-media) We need to teach children how to navigate the internet safely and critically, recognise when something isn’t right, and feel confident approaching someone… [ Online Harm ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Online%20Harm) --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Ask Dr Bettina](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina.md) - Next: [Why won't my child talk to me?](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/why-wont-my-child-talk-to-me.md)