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.
Skills Covered
Through Fun with Feelings, families learn how to
Understanding ASD
- Understand anxiety in autism and respond effectively
Emotional Understanding
- Recognise and express happiness, sadness, worry, anger, and affection
- Develop a shared emotional language between children, parents, and professionals
Emotion Toolbox
- Build parent and child toolboxes for managing triggers
- Take gradual steps to reduce big fears
- Use relaxation and coping strategies at home
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
Fun with Feelings
Understanding Emotions, Building Calm and Confidence
Fun with Feelings is a structured, family-focused, evidence-informed program designed to support young children in understanding and managing emotions, particularly anxiety. Developed by clinical psychologists (Tony Atwood and Michelle Garnett, leading psychologists in the ASD space), the program combines cognitive and behavioural strategies with engaging, play-based learning.
Through structured activities, visual supports, and guided practice, children are supported to recognise, express, and regulate emotions, while caregivers are guided with practical strategies to support their child’s emotional development at home. Together, families build a shared language around emotions that can be used across everyday situations, supporting confidence, connection, and emotional growth.
Is This the Right Fit?
This program may be a good fit if your child:
- Experiences anxiety, worry, or emotional overwhelm
- Finds it difficult to recognise or express emotions
- Struggles with transitions, change, or new situations
- Has difficulty calming down when upset
- Would benefit from building emotional understanding in a structured way
- Is able to engage in supported, play-based activities
Skills Developed
Participants and families build foundational skills across key areas:
Understanding Emotions
- Recognising core emotions such as happiness, sadness, worry, and anger
- Developing a shared emotional language
- Understanding how emotions are experienced
Emotional Regulation
- Learning calming and relaxation strategies
- Managing worry and anxiety
- Developing coping strategies for challenging situations
The Emotional Toolbox
- Building practical tools for managing big emotions
- Using gradual steps to face fears
- Strengthening confidence through supported experiences
Connection and Communication
- Expressing emotions in appropriate ways
- Building positive parent-child interactions
- Strengthening emotional connection within the family
Finding the Right Support
We understand that supporting your child with big emotions or anxiety can feel challenging at times. Our team is here to guide you through the process, helping you understand your child’s needs and determine whether Fun with Feelings is the right fit, or recommend the most appropriate support option.
Ready to support your child’s emotional development and confidence from an early age?
Contact our team to learn more or secure a place in the next Fun with Feelings program.