Building emotional understanding, regulation, and confidence for autistic children.
The Westmead Feelings Program is an evidence-based intervention designed to support autistic children to understand, express, and regulate emotions.
The program explicitly teaches emotional skills and supports parents to help children use these skills in everyday life — at home, at school, and in the community.
At The Social Skills Hub, we offer Westmead Feelings Program 1 and Program 2, supporting children at different stages of emotional development. Both programs also equip parents and caregivers with practical strategies to support emotional skills at home, at school, and in the community.
What is the Westmead Feelings® Program?
The Westmead Feelings Program supports children to:
- Recognise emotions in themselves and others
- Understand why emotions happen
- Learn practical strategies to manage strong feelings
- Communicate emotions in helpful ways
- Build confidence and emotional resilience
What is included?
The program uses:
- Visual supports and concrete language
- Explicit teaching of emotional concepts
- Real-life examples and role-play
- Parent involvement to support generalisation
- Visual supports and concrete materials
Westmead Feelings Program 1
Foundations of Emotional Understanding
Program 1 is designed for children who are still developing core emotional awareness skills.
Your child will learn to:
- Identify basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared)
- Recognise emotions in themselves and others
- Understand body signals linked to emotions
- Begin to link situations with feelings
- Learn early strategies to calm and regulate emotions
- Use simple emotional language to express how they feel
Best suited for children who:
- Have difficulty identifying or naming emotions
- Become overwhelmed by strong feelings
- Need explicit teaching of emotional concepts
- Are early in their emotional regulation journey
Westmead Feelings Program 2
Emotional Regulation & Problem-Solving
Program 2 builds on the foundations of Program 1 and supports children to manage more complex emotional experiences. It is suitable for primary school-aged children. This particular group is for children aged 8-12 years old.
Your child will learn to:
- Identify a wider range of emotions
- Understand mixed and changing emotions
- Recognise early warning signs of emotional escalation
- Use flexible coping strategies for anxiety, anger, and frustration
- Solve emotion-based problems in social situations
- Apply strategies across settings (school, home, community)
Best suited for children who:
- Have a previous (or suspected) diagnoses of autism, without intellectual disability
- who have fluent speech, and who are able to read and write (if your child has limited verbal and/or written skills, your child may be better suited for the Westmead Feelings Program 1)
- Experience anxiety, frustration, or emotional outbursts
- Need support with emotional flexibility and coping
- Are ready to move from recognition to regulation
What’s the Difference Between Program 1 and Program 2?
| Program 1 | Program 2 |
|---|---|
| Focuses on recognising and naming emotions | Focuses on managing and regulating emotions |
| Teaches basic emotional concepts | Teaches complex and mixed emotions |
| Builds emotional awareness | Builds emotional problem-solving |
| Introduces early calming strategies | Develops flexible coping strategies |
| Ideal as a starting point | Ideal as a follow-on program |
Children typically begin with Program 1 and progress to Program 2, although placement is always based on individual needs rather than age alone.
Parent & Caregiver Involvement
A core strength of the Westmead Feelings Program is its focus on parent coaching.
Parents and caregivers are supported to:
- Understand the emotional concepts being taught
- Use consistent language and strategies at home
- Support emotional regulation during everyday challenges
- Help children generalise skills beyond sessions
This shared approach helps children use their skills in real-world situations—not just during sessions.
Who Is This Program For?
✔ Autistic children with mild intellectual disability between the ages of 8 and 12 years old
✔ Children who experience big emotions
✔ Children with anxiety or emotional regulation difficulties
✔ Families seeking practical, evidence-based support
The program is suitable for children across a range of communication profiles and learning styles.
Our Approach at The Social Skills Hub
We deliver the Westmead Feelings Program using:
- Neuro-affirming, strengths-based practice
- Small groups or individual formats (where appropriate)
- Visual supports and concrete strategies
- Collaboration with families and schools
Our goal is to help children understand themselves, feel safe with their feelings, and build confidence using strategies that work for them.
FAQ
Can I use my NDIS funding?
Yes, if you are NDIS self-managed, it is likely you can use your funding if the program will help you reach your goals. If you are NDIS managed or plan managed, you will need to check with your plan manager.
Register Now
By completing this form you are registering your interest in our upcoming programs, and you are helping us better understand your child’s needs.