Description
Every child participating in the program has a workbook for the six two-hour sessions that includes activities and information to explore the specific feelings of being happy, relaxed, anxious or angry. There are sections in the workbook to record individual comments and responses to questions. At the end of each session, a project is explained to the child, which is to be completed before the next session.
At the start of the next session the project is discussed with the person implementing the programme or the group of participants using the program. A metaphor was created of the child being an astronaut or scientist exploring a new planet, as the author has noted that children with Asperger syndrome are often interested in exploration of the physical world, science and science fiction. The Exploring Feelings programme is designed to explore the mental world from a scientific perspective. There are two Exploring Feelings programmes, one is designed to explore and manage anxiety, the other to explore and manage anger.
Exploring Feelings : Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Manage Anger
Many children, especially those with developmental delays, have trouble understanding or expressing their feelings. This can result in difficulty with anger management. Listing possible responses to situations-and the likely outcome of each one-allows the child to make informed decisions about which responses to choose (e.g., walking away vs. hitting). This book provides a guide for caregivers along with a workbook portion that asks children to identify situations that trigger their anger, and helps them find appropriate ways to respond.
Exploring Feelings : Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Manage Anxiety
Anxiety can be debilitating for anyone, but it can be especially confusing for a child. Learning about emotions helps children recognize connections between thinking and feeling, and the physiological effects of anxiety on the body (sweating, increased heart rate, crying, etc.). This book provides a guide for caregivers along with a workbook section that allows children to identify anxiety-provoking situations, and teaches them how to perceive them differently.
