Cool Kids Program (ASD adaptation) for 7-12 year olds (online)

The highly successful Cool Kids Program has been adapted for children who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This program uses the same principles as the standard Cool Kids Program however the presentation of the skills has been adapted to better suit the learning and thinking styles that are common to ASD.

The program is family-based and utilises Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy with the aim to provide children and parents with skills and strategies to help them better manage anxiety. These skills include:

• Understanding anxiety
• Relaxation
• Parenting strategies that encourage brave behaviour
• Identifying and using helpful (realistic) thoughts, and most importantly,
• Facing fears, building independence and increasing confidence  through stepladders (gradual exposure).

Social skills are also touched on in the program as they are often a crucial part of building a child’s confidence, however parents should note that social skills are not the primary focus of the program. The Cool Kids program has both a children's manual and parents manual that are made up of activities that we work on in session. There are also regular practice tasks for you and your child to complete in between each session.   

The program is delivered over 8 sessions and is offered in both a group format (for children in grades 2 through 6) and on an individual basis (for children and adolescents of any age).  A workbook for parents and children are included. 

The program is an evidenced based program written by Heidi Lyneham, Anne Chalfant, Ronald Rapee & Louisa Carroll and produced by the Centre of Emotional Health, Macquarie University.

Emma Cooney, Psychologist is an accredited program provider.

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 Rebates may apply with a MHCP or NDIS self managed