To ensure we offer contemporary continuing education opportunities, the CE credit associated with this video is no longer available, however, the video remains available for viewing.
Behavior analysis has a vast database for parental interventions focused on developmental disabilities, but has focused less on how to motivate and support parents in applying these interventions and in dealing with the psychological challenges of dealing with children with special needs. This workshop will describe relevant core methods of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which can be used to provide parental support. ACT is a contextual behavioral method that draws from a variety of behavioral and other approaches, integrated in an analysis based on behavioral principles as augmented by Relational Frame Theory. The workshop will explain the underlying theory behind ACT and will provide concrete examples of ACT methods that are known to be helpful, including methods in areas such as acceptance of difficult feelings, defusion from difficult thoughts, perspective taking, choosing values, and creating patterns of committed action.