Neuro-affirming ADHD Support for Children in Coquitlam
Is your child’s ADHD diagnosis leaving you feeling overwhelmed? Perhaps you’ve been told they are "too much," "distracted," or "defiant," but you know there is a creative, brilliant, and sensitive child underneath the struggle. At Strong River Counselling, we provide neuro-affirming ADHD support that celebrates how your child’s brain works while providing practical tools for the challenges of daily life.
We help families in Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities move away from "behavior management" and toward a relationship-first approach to ADHD.
What ADHD Looks Like (Beyond the Hyperactivity)
ADHD is so much more than "having too much energy." It is a different way of processing the world. You might notice your child struggling with:
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Executive Functioning: Difficulty starting tasks, staying organized, or remembering multi-step instructions.
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Emotional Regulation: Intense "rejection sensitivity" or meltdowns when faced with frustration or change.
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Hyperfocus: Being unable to pull away from an activity they love, making transitions (like ending screen time) very difficult.
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Working Memory: Forgetting what they were doing mid-task or losing items frequently.
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Sensory Processing: Being easily overwhelmed by noises, textures, or crowded environments.
Why a Neuro-affirming Approach Matters
At Strong River, we recognize that ADHD doesn't exist in a vacuum. For many children, the struggle to focus is actually made harder by how they process the world around them. We often see an overlap between ADHD and Sensory Processing needs. By understanding your child’s unique sensory profile, we can create a plan that supports their focus and their comfort.
Building Strengths, Not Just Fixing Deficits
Our neuro-affirming philosophy means we view ADHD as a difference, not a disorder that needs to be "cured." We focus on helping your child understand their "Ferrari brain" and building the "brakes" they need through play and connection. This approach fosters a positive self-identity, which is the best predictor of long-term success for kids with ADHD.
How Play Therapy Supports the ADHD Brain
Because children with ADHD often struggle with verbal impulse control, traditional talk therapy can feel like "more school." Play Therapy allows them to:
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Practice impulse control in a low-stakes, fun environment.
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Process the shame or frustration they may feel after a hard day at school.
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Build social-emotional skills through natural interaction rather than "social skills drills."
Parenting Support for ADHD Families
Parenting an ADHD child requires a different "operating system." We provide Parent Coaching to help you:
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Modify the Environment: Creating "ADHD-friendly" routines that reduce friction at home.
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Use Low-Demand Strategies: Learning how to give instructions that an ADHD brain can actually process.
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Co-regulation: Staying calm when your child’s "engine" is running too fast.
Meet Your Neuro-affirming Expert: Destinee Kreil, MCP, RCC
Destinee Kreil is deeply committed to supporting the neurodivergent community in Coquitlam. By combining her expertise in child development with a strength-based lens, she helps families stop "fighting" the ADHD and start enjoying their child again.
