COOL KIDS GROUP
Helping Children Build Confidence, Manage Anxiety & Thrive
At Autism Consultancy Services (ACS), our Cool Kids Group is designed to help children aged 8-12 develop the skills and confidence to understand, manage, and reduce anxiety in a supportive and neuroaffirming environment.
Anxiety can impact many areas of a child’s life, from friendships and schoolwork to everyday tasks. Our structured yet engaging program provides children with practical tools to navigate their worries, increase their confidence, and build resilience—all while feeling safe, supported, and understood.
How It Works
Cool Kids is an evidence-based program that teaches children strategies to recognise and manage their anxiety in a way that feels empowering rather than overwhelming.
Each session includes a combination of:
• Understanding Anxiety – Helping children identify what anxiety feels like and why it happens.
• Practical Coping Strategies – Learning techniques such as relaxation exercises, problem-solving, and reframing anxious thoughts.
• Confidence-Building Activities – Encouraging children to step outside their comfort zone in a gradual, supported way.
• Managing Worry & Perfectionism – Supporting children in overcoming fears of failure, uncertainty, and making mistakes.
• Social & Emotional Support – Practicing skills for handling social anxiety, friendships, and self-advocacy.
Sessions are carefully designed to be engaging and interactive, ensuring children feel comfortable, safe, and supported as they work through their anxiety at their own pace.
A Neuroaffirming Approach
Many anxiety programs expect children to push through their fears without recognising their individual processing needs and emotional responses. Our Cool Kids Group is different. We focus on helping children work with their anxiety in a way that respects their unique experiences rather than forcing them into distressing situations.
Our facilitators take a gentle, neuroaffirming approach, ensuring that children feel validated, understood, and empoweredrather than pressured to conform to neurotypical expectations. The program is flexible and adaptable, recognising that each child’s journey with anxiety is different.
Why Cool Kids?
This program helps children:
• Recognise and understand their anxiety
• Learn practical strategies to manage worry and fear
• Develop confidence and resilience in everyday situations
• Build emotional awareness and self-regulation skills
• Improve their ability to handle challenges and uncertainty
By equipping children with lifelong skills, Cool Kids gives them the tools they need to navigate anxiety in a healthy, manageable way—both now and as they grow.
A Supportive & Encouraging Space
Our Cool Kids Group is facilitated by experienced professionals who understand the challenges that anxiety presents for neurodivergent children. We create a low-pressure, inclusive environment where children can learn, practice, and develop confidence at their own pace.
With small group sizes, personalised support, and engaging activities, we ensure that every child feels safe, heard, and supported throughout their journey.
Join Our Cool Kids Group
Our Cool Kids Group runs in 10-week terms at our Yarraville office. If you’re looking for an effective, compassionate, and neuroaffirming program to help your child manage anxiety and build resilience, we’d love to welcome them!