Guiding children and teens to build positive relationships and respond to social challenges.
Friendships can make school feel like a place to belong, yet they are often one of the hardest things for young people to navigate. Help your child build stronger connections that foster confidence, inclusion and discovering shared interests.
Bullying can be one of the most confronting challenges young people face at school, leaving parents unsure how to respond. With a focus on empathy, calm action and clear boundaries, the video offers supportive guidance for navigating these complex situations with confidence.
In August 2026, Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle hosted a live webinar with Professor Tony Attwood titled Building Friendships, Confidence and Resilience: Supporting Autistic Children to Navigate Social Challenges.
We all want every child to feel accepted, valued and connected within their school and community. For autistic children and young people, positive friendships and supportive peer relationships play a particularly important role in wellbeing, confidence and a sense of belonging. At times, however, autistic students may experience misunderstanding, exclusion, teasing or bullying that can impact these connections.
In this recorded version of the webinar, Tony shares practical, evidence-informed strategies to help parents support their children in developing positive peer relationships, building friendships and strengthening social inclusion. He also explores ways to recognise, respond to and reduce bullying and teasing, providing parents and carers with practical ideas to support their child's wellbeing and social success across home, school and community settings.
Understanding children and teens' brain development so you can respond to their changing needs with confidence.
Strong emotions are a natural part of growing up, for children and for teens. When big feelings lead to challenging behaviour, it can feel confusing and exhausting for families. Children and adolescents are still developing the skills to recognise, manage and express emotions, and behaviour is often a sign of stress, overwhelm or unmet needs.
Understanding why children and teens experience big emotions and how you can help create calm and connection.
Understanding the challenges your child or teen might experience and strategies for supporting their mental health.
The advice provided on this site and contained within the resources relates to general wellbeing information only and should not be considered medical, psychological, or professional advice. It doesn’t take into account your family’s individual circumstances.
Furthermore, links to external websites are provided for your convenience and to access credible, evidence-based information. Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of information on these external sites.
For personalised support, please consult a qualified health professional.
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For 24/7 support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
