When to seek professional guidance If a child continues to struggle in meaningful ways, such as avoiding school, failing to maintain meaningful friendships, or consistently falling behind academically despite support, it may be time to seek professional guidance. Pediatricians are often the first step to help families decide whether a referral is needed. Psychologists can then conduct comprehensive evaluations to explore how a child learns, processes information, and manages emotions and behavior. When questions about speech, language, or sensory development arise, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists can offer targeted interventions to support communication or daily functioning. Dr. Elsa Lee is a neuropsychologist and clinical director at Assets School. She oversees the Transforming Lives Center that provides psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations for schoolaged children in Hawai’i. organization and time. These strategies make it easier for children to start and complete tasks. Classroom environments can also be designed to account for sensory differences. Allowing noise-canceling headphones, providing flexible seating, or setting up a quiet corner gives students options for self-regulation. When a child does become upset, pausing to acknowledge their feelings before addressing the behavior helps them regain control and builds trust. Social support is another important area that requires thoughtful planning. For some neurodivergent children, lunchtime and recess can be the hardest parts of the day, because unstructured interactions often leave them isolated or vulnerable. Schools can create structured social opportunities such as small lunch groups, peer mentoring programs, or guided social skills activities. Teachers who frame neurodiversity as one part of classroom diversity help all students understand and accept differences, which can reduce stigma and improve a sense of inclusion. 132 HAWAII PARENT November/December 2025 Strong bonds with caregivers help neurodivergent children feel understood and supported.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==