Fun with Feelings

Developed by clinical psychologists at Minds and Hearts, Fun with Feelings is tailored for young autistic children with anxiety. Delivered through two complementary resources:

Parent Manual – 10 Steps to Reducing Your Child’s Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum: practical strategies to understand, prevent, and respond to anxiety.
Child Activity Book – Having Fun with Feelings on the Autism Spectrum: introduces six playful “feelings characters” to help children recognise, express, and manage emotions.

Parents are first coached in strategies to reduce anxiety and build confidence. In later sessions, parents and children work together using the activity book, practising relaxation, coping, and emotional skills through games and everyday practice.

Program Structure

10 weekly sessions (60 minutes each)
Parent coaching + parent–child activities
Uses engaging visuals, games, and characters
Delivered in-clinic by our child psychologists in Sydney

Participation Requirements

This program is designed for families who:

Have a child aged 4–6 with autism or social-emotional challenges
Want support to reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation
Can attend consistently and practise strategies at home
Prefer a structured, family-focused approach
Have children who are able to engage in supported parent–child activities

Skills Covered

Through Fun with Feelings, families learn how to:

Understand anxiety in autism and respond effectively
Build parent and child toolboxes for managing triggers
Take gradual steps to reduce big fears
Recognise and express happiness, sadness, worry, anger, and affection
Use relaxation and coping strategies at home
Develop a shared emotional language between children, parents, and professionals

Why It Matters

Anxiety is one of the most common challenges for autistic children, often impacting learning, friendships, and family life if left unaddressed.

Fun with Feelings bridges this gap by giving families practical tools to recognise, express, and manage emotions early. By starting in the preschool years, children and parents build strong foundations for emotional regulation, confidence, and resilience that carry into school and beyond.

Proven Results (The Research)

Research shows Fun with Feelings leads to:

Reduced anxiety in autistic children aged 4–6
Improved emotional recognition and regulation
Increased parent confidence in managing child anxiety
Stronger parent–child connection through shared language and tools

This evidence-based approach helps families connect, communicate, and thrive together.

How Can I Apply to Participate?

We’d love to support you and your child through Fun with Feelings in Mascot, Sydney.

📞 Call us on (02) 8054 4790
📧 Email: admin@thesocialspace.net.au

Book an initial consultation with our psychologists to confirm if this program is the right fit for your child and family.