In the journey of parenting, few challenges compare to raising strong-willed and neurodivergent children. These amazing kids bring so much joy and uniqueness into our lives, but they also require a lot more guidance in navigating their emotions and reactions. I feel the highs are higher but the lows are lower.

One powerful tool that can help them achieve emotional balance is Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

What is Tapping (EFT) and Why is it Important for Kids?

Tapping is a simple yet effective technique that involves gently tapping on specific points on the body while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations. This method, which combines elements of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology, can help release emotional distress and bring about a sense of calm.

For strong-willed and neurodivergent children, Tapping offers a way to manage their emotions independently and effectively. It empowers them to regulate their own...

Here we find ourselves, my eleven-year-old daughter, and I, in the midst of a storm of emotions. She’s hurling words I can’t put into writing, aimed at both my husband and me. She’s sprawled on the floor, her fingernails tracing lines on her arms, tears flowing uncontrollably, and her breath is coming in rapid gasps.

“This is not okay,” my husband says. “We should stop.” I assure him no; it’s okay and remind him this is where we see a central nervous system disability, the thing that others don’t see, the thing she masks hardest.

It’s been a relentlessly stressful two weeks, culminating in an overwhelming fight-or-flight response, pushing her to breaking point.

How did we arrive here, and more importantly, how did we then navigate our way out of this turbulent sea of emotions?

Our journey began when my daughter’s hamster and two beloved cats passed away during a six-week adventure in Bali. Just when the heartache...