Header Logo
About
Home About EPT EPT Resource Library
EPT Services
Neurodiversity Essentials Parenting Membership Emotional Regulation Programme Assessment Pathway One to One Support PDA Support EPT Resource Library Tusla Assessment and Therapeutic Services Brain Body Balance Masterclass 22nd Sept. 2025
FAQ
Client Login
Contact Us | EPT Clinic
View Newsletter

Why after school feels so hard (and what helps

Sep 08, 2025
Connect

Dear EPT Parent,

Have you noticed how school days often end in tears, meltdowns, or silence? That’s because many neurodivergent children spend all day masking and holding it together. By the time they walk through the door, their nervous system is on overload.

 

The “afterschool crash” isn’t bad behaviour. It’s the body saying: I’ve used up all my energy, and I need to reset.

 

Here are three practical ways to help your child’s nervous and sensory system recover after school:

✨ Decompression first, talk later — a quiet snack or solo time before asking about the day.
✨ Movement release — jumping on the trampoline, swinging, or a quick bike ride to discharge stress hormones.
✨ Sensory calm — dimmed lights, favourite soft clothes, or calming music to help re-regulate.

 

The key? Don’t dive straight into homework, chores, or questions. Give space for the nervous system to rebalance, then your child will have more capacity for connection.

 

With warmth,

Your Child and Adolescent Educational Psychologist,
Lorraine Xx

 

P.S. In the Membership this week, I’ll be sharing a step-by-step after-school reset plan—so you know exactly how to support transitions without battles or overwhelm.

 Neurodiversity Parenting Membership

 

Responses

Join the conversation
t("newsletters.loading")
Loading...
Trusting ourselves as parents
There’s a moment many of us reach when we are parenting a neurodivergent child. A moment when we begin to doubt ourselves and ask: “Maybe the school knows best.”“Maybe I’m overthinking this.”“Maybe I should just leave it.” My in my own experience... the school rarely knows better than an attuned, educated, loving parent. That's just my opinion! Parents are motivated to get it right, we don’t wa...
Are you feeling some rigidity in school?
This is a thought I have wondered about, particularly in the past 12 months... I feel like things have become a little more rigid in schools. Have you ever wondered the same thing? Last week, I shared a little about my own experience of advocating, and I explained how I was noticing a tension that can sit underneath advocacy. This week, I want to widen the lens, because I believe something impo...
I didn’t expect this to feel so hard
Any of you who have been attending the LIVE sessions will know that I've been working through some challenges and barriers in relation to my own child's education the past few months. I am learning a lot being the parent, rather than the psychologist, so I thought it might be helpful to share a little to help other parents.  First thing to share is how much energy and emotion it takes. As I hav...

Newsletter for the EPT Community

Where you will find parenting tips, tools, resources, updates on assessments and more...
My Profile Login Store Professional Letter EPT Clinic's Blog!
GDPR Data Protection Policy Data Protection Notice Terms of Use
© 2026 Education, Psychology and Therapy (EPT) Clinic I Block B, Floor 2, The Smithland Centre, Waterford Road, Kilkenny, R95 FA0W, Ireland. All Rights Reserved.

Join Our Free Trial

Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires.