Fun With Feelings
Group sessions with Hessel Group provide a supportive environment where children can connect with others who may be experiencing similar challenges or issues. Sharing experiences, insights, and coping strategies with others can offer a sense of validation, comfort, and encouragement. It helps participants realise that they are not alone in their struggles and can foster a sense of belonging.
Introduction
Hessel Group's Fun with Feelings group aims to assist children on the autism spectrum in understanding their feelings and thoughts, as well as recognising the emotional states of others. This program is designed to be enjoyable for children. They will have the opportunity to meet the main feelings - Happiness, Sadness, Worry, Relaxation, Anger, and Love—represented by fruit characters: Henry, Sally, Wanda, Ryan, Alan, and Lulu. Children will learn to identify when these feelings arise in their bodies and how to manage them. Parents will also gain insights into why their child experiences intense emotions and learn strategies to help their child understand and cope with these emotions, including positive ones. By increasing emotional understanding, this program aims to enhance the child's resilience. Fun with Feelings can be utilised by parents and caregivers in a home setting, and it can also be delivered directly to parents and children in a school or clinic setting.
Participants will receive training in the ten-stage program which includes various therapeutic activities. The first five stages focus on preparing parents to implement the Fun with Feelings program with their child, helping them understand the causes of their child's anxiety and ways to reduce it. The remaining five stages involve the child using the "Having Fun with Feelings" workbook to better recognise and process their own emotions.
Target Group
For parents and caregivers: This program aims to deepen their understanding of their child and equip them with effective approaches and specific strategies to reduce their child's anxiety at home. It also empowers parents to help their child understand and express their feelings. Participants will gain knowledge of the latest research and best clinical practices for autism and anxiety in young children. They will learn to recognise and assess both conventional signs of anxiety in young children and signs of anxiety specific to autistic children. Additionally, they will understand the reasons why autistic children often experience high levels of anxiety. Parents will learn to implement environmental accommodations and strategies to reduce anxiety for the child across various settings, including home and others.
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Session Plan and Frequency
The sessions will be held weekly either at Hessel Group's clinics in Fullarton or Welland or from a suitable location convenient for the group. The sessions will alternate between focusing on parents and children each week.
Participants are able to utilise their NDIS funding.
Group sessions are limited to 4-5 children.
NDIS goals targeted:
- Assist clients in reducing their levels of anxiety.
- Help clients understand their feelings and emotions.
- Facilitate the development of emotional regulation.
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Discover more about Hessel Group's Allied Health Services HERE.