Autism & Sensory Processing Support in Coquitlam
Does your child experience the world "at a higher volume" than others? Perhaps they are deeply sensitive to sounds, textures, or changes in routine, or they struggle to navigate social spaces that feel overwhelming. At Strong River Counselling, we provide neuro-affirming Autism and sensory processing support that honors your child’s unique way of being while helping them thrive in a world that isn't always built for them.
We move away from "fixing" social behaviors and toward supporting regulation, autonomy, and self-advocacy for families in Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities.
Understanding Sensory Processing & The Autistic Experience
For Autistic children, the nervous system often processes sensory input differently. What feels like a "quiet room" to one person might feel like a "thundering stadium" to another. You might notice your child:
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Sensory Seeking: A constant need for movement, spinning, or deep pressure to feel regulated.
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Sensory Avoiding: Extreme distress around loud noises, certain clothing textures, or bright lights.
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Emotional Meltdowns: Reaching a point of "sensory overload" where the brain simply shuts down or explodes.
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Social Exhaustion: Needing significant "down-time" after school or social interactions to recover from the effort of "masking."
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Rigidity & Routines: A deep need for predictability to help manage internal anxiety.
Why a Neuro-affirming Approach is Different
Many traditional therapies for Autism focus on making a child "look less Autistic." At Strong River Counselling, we believe that path leads to burnout and a loss of self-esteem.
Prioritizing Regulation Over Compliance
Our neuro-affirming approach means we don't use rewards or punishments to force "socially acceptable" behavior. Instead, we work with the child to understand their sensory "cup." We help them identify when their cup is getting full and provide them with the tools to self-regulate and advocate for their needs. This builds a foundation of Emotional Regulation that lasts a lifetime.
How We Use Play to Support Autistic Children
Play is the natural language of childhood, and for Autistic children, it is a powerful tool for connection.
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Child-Led Interaction: We follow your child’s interests (their "special spins" or deep passions) to build a relationship of trust.
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Safe Sensory Exploration: Our Coquitlam playroom is a "sensory-safe" zone where children can explore movement and textures at their own pace.
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Social-Emotional Mastery: Instead of "social skills training," we focus on authentic connection and helping children understand their own social needs and boundaries.
Supporting the Neuro-divergent Umbrella
At Strong River Counselling, we understand that neuro-divergence is an umbrella term that covers many different types of "brain wiring." It is very common for Autistic children to also have traits of ADHD, such as impulsivity, hyper-focus, or executive functioning challenges.
By providing Neuro-affirming ADHD Support alongside our sensory work, we ensure that your child is supported as a whole person. Whether your child has a singular diagnosis or identifies with the broader neuro-divergent umbrella, we focus on their strengths rather than their deficits.
Parenting Support for the Neuro-divergent Family
Parenting an Autistic child in a neurotypical world is a journey that requires specific tools and a lot of compassion. We provide Parent Coaching to help you:
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Decode the "Sensory Why": Understanding why a behavior is happening (e.g., "Is this a boundary issue or a sensory overload?").
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Accommodate for Success: Learning how to adjust your home environment and SD43 school expectations to reduce your child’s daily stress.
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Support Self-Advocacy: Helping your child find the words (or signs/tools) to say, "This is too loud for me," before they reach a meltdown.
Meet Destinee Kreil, RCC
Destinee Kreil is a neuro-affirming advocate who believes every child deserves to be understood, not "fixed." By creating a therapy space that respects sensory needs and honors Autistic identity, she helps Tri-Cities families move from a place of struggle to a place of celebration and deep connection.
FAQ: Autism & Sensory Support
Do you use ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) in your practice?
No. We are a non-behaviorist, neuro-affirming practice. We do not use "compliance-based" models like ABA. Instead, we use attachment-based therapy and play-based regulation. Our goal is to support your child’s well-being and autonomy, not to change their natural Autistic traits.
My child is "non-speaking" or uses AAC. Can you help?
Absolutely. Communication comes in many forms. We welcome children who use AAC devices, signs, or gestures. Our focus is on the connection and the relationship, and we adapt our therapeutic tools to match your child’s preferred way of communicating.
What is "Sensory Overload," and how do you help with it?
Sensory overload happens when the brain receives more information than it can process. We use proactive regulation strategies to support sensory regulation and provide parenting strategies to help parents recognize the "early signals" of overload and create a "sensory safety plan" for home and school.
Can you help with "Pathological Demand Avoidance" (PDA)?
Yes. We have extensive experience with children who have a PDA profile (often described as a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy). We use "low-demand" clinical strategies that focus on partnership and collaboration rather than top-down authority, which is essential for PDA children.
How do I know if my child needs an Occupational Therapist (OT) or a Counsellor?
While an OT is excellent for physical sensory integration, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) like Destinee Kreil focuses on the emotional and relational impact of being neurodivergent. Often, we work alongside OTs to provide a holistic "wrap-around" support plan for your child.
