Exchange Wellbeing

07/09/2026

Top Tips from our Director Emma 💡

Calm school nerves with expert advice today! 🌟

02/09/2026

When a child can't make it through the school gates, families are often left feeling judged, and wondering what they've done wrong. Emotionally based school avoidance describes something very real: genuine distress around attending school that grows so overwhelming a child feels they simply cannot go.

It is not defiance and it is not bad behaviour. It is a young person telling us, in the only way they can, that something is too hard.

Since the pandemic, far more children have been struggling this way, and understanding it as distress rather than disobedience changes how we respond. For some, that distress has a root worth exploring. When a child spends all day managing an environment that does not suit how their brain works, unidentified autism or ADHD can sit quietly underneath the struggle to attend, and recognising that early can change everything about the support they receive.

So if mornings have become a battle in your house, please know you're not failing and you're not alone. Across the Health is One network, including Neuro Pathways Clinic and Exchange Wellbeing, there's support for families trying to understand what's really going on 💙

📻 BBC Sounds, Radio 5 Live Drive, 1st September 2026

01/09/2026

Our Littlest Listener - Violet was tuned in to hear Director Emma Davies live on BBC Radio 5 live Emma discussed what Emotional-based school avoidance is, and what parents and schools can do to help. 📻 Let us know if you heard the interview!

We're also excited to share another date for our Before the Bell webinar due to overwhelming demand. Join us on 20th October @ 4pm, if you missed out last time make sure to save a place.

Bookable through the NeuroPathways website.

28/08/2026

Did you miss it? If you didn't manage to attend Before the Bell, you can access the guide and Free Resources on the resource library on our website.

Thank you again to all the parents and carers for making the session such a success!

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

19/08/2026

Jolene, one of our Service Mangers was out and about spending time at the Galleon Centre in Kilmarnock. It was a lovely chance to meet with young people, parents and grandparents and sharing information about the amazing work The Exchange does in schools across East Ayrshire Council

Jolene shared "I had some really valuable conversations with grandparents and parents who were looking for support and guidance around neurodivergence within their families. It was a privilege to listen, offer reassurance and share the support available."

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to chat - these conversations really do make a difference.

19/08/2026

Last spaces remaining - join us on Tuesday!

https://www.exchange-counselling.com/community-family-support