I want
...to be more confident
Neuroaffirming ways to build confidence for children, teens, and adults with disability. Practical strategies, inclusive resources, and Novita support.
When we feel confident, we try new things, connect with others, and explore what makes us unique.
This page is written for people with disability, families, carers, and anyone wanting supportive, practical ideas for building confidence, strengthening self-esteem, and feeling more comfortable in everyday life. Whether you’re supporting a child, guiding a teenager, or exploring confidence as an adult, this page offers clear, inclusive information for every stage.
Everyone deserves to feel confident, to be themselves, try new things, and feel good about who they are. For autistic people, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disability, confidence can be influenced by a number of external reasons:
It’s human nature to avoid situations that feel difficult or unpredictable. Over time, this can make confidence feel fragile. Parents or carers may wonder how to support their child’s self-esteem. Adults might feel unsure during work, study, or life transitions.
Confidence grows when people are accepted, included, and supported to explore at their own pace. This means when people are allowed to make mistakes and celebrate their unique strengths.
Confidence helps people take part in life in ways that feel meaningful. It supports communication, friendship, self-advocacy, learning, and independence. Feeling confident also supports long-term mental health and emotional wellbeing.
For children, confidence helps them try new activities, build social connections, and develop resilience. Teenagers may use confidence to explore identity and navigate change. Adults often link confidence to relationships, employment, community involvement, and decision-making.
When people can participate in daily life in ways that feel meaningful to them, they experience more choice and control over how their day looks. This may include small moments, such as choosing clothes in the morning, or bigger goals, like preparing a meal or travelling independently.
For some, this may involve living on their own or managing specific daily tasks. For others, it may mean contributing to part of a routine, such as using cutlery during a meal while still receiving support for cooking or safety. Every step toward independence matters and deserves recognition.
Every day tasks can sometimes feel difficult. Emotional regulation, mobility, and social demands can also influence how independent someone feels. With the right support and a focus on strengths, people of all ages can grow their independence in meaningful and empowering ways.
Common experiences that may affect confidence include:
At Novita, we empower people to make their own choices, affirm identity and strengths, and build communication and social confidence through supportive, SCERTS-based strategies. We work collaboratively with families, offering practical tools and encouraging connection with inclusive community spaces.
We understand that with the right understanding, confidence can grow at any age - and in every environment.
Building confidence is a gradual process. Small moments add up over time, and every person’s path looks different. Here are practical, confidence strategies you can try — with simple examples for children, teens, and adults.
Confidence begins with feeling accepted and valued for who you are, including disability.
Talking openly about needs, emotions, and preferences builds self-advocacy.
Learning involves trial and error. Confidence grows when trying is valued more than “getting it right.”
Interests could be gaming, drawing, sport, cooking, sensory play or many others. Whatever your interests are, by focussing and spending time on them, builds confidence naturally.
Scaffolding means breaking tasks into smaller steps and supporting each one. This supports emotional regulation and builds success gradually.
Choice strengthens independence and confidence.
Even small decisions, like picking a movie for family night or deciding how to spend free time, help build a sense of independence, personal power, and confidence.
Families and carers can foster confidence by respecting these choices and celebrating when someone expresses their preferences.
Feeling connected to others increases confidence.
Real-life experiences provide meaningful opportunities to build skills.
This might include ordering food at a café, paying for items at a shop, practicing a transport route, or trying simple household tasks.
Real environments help build confidence, communication, and emotional regulation in the same spaces where these skills will be used.
Demonstrating confidence helps others learn.
Reflecting on good moments builds self-esteem.
Visual supports make routines clearer and reduce stress.
Transitions can impact confidence, especially when things are new. This could be starting a new job, changing schools or leaving school.
Sometimes a little extra planning and support can really improve confidence levels in these new situations.
Novita works alongside children, teens, adults, families, and carers to build confidence in meaningful and inclusive ways. We focus on strengths, communication, emotional regulation, and supportive environments.
If you’re ready to explore confidence-building supports, we’re here to partner with you.
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