Acceptance Commitment Therapy for the Autism Spectrum
About This Workshop
After presenting successfully in international settings, Jodie is bringing her workshop online for the first time. Jodie will be sharing her unique use of ACT in a population that has proven particularly receptive to this well-established approach.

The workshop will move beyond the basics of working with ASD so participants are expected to already be familiar with ASD. Participants will gain strategies and resources for implementing practice immediately. The workshop also includes live in-session demonstrations. In the spirit of ACT, Jodie will be providing all participants with a free copy of her 10-session ACT manual for practitioners working with anxious children.

The 5-module workshop will include the following:

-Connecting with young people with ASD
-Brief review of ACT
-Introduction to CFACT (Compassion-Focused ACT ) and its role in anxiety management

-Values - gateway to change
-ASD and mood disorders
-Acceptance and experiential avoidance
-Cognitive Defusion
-Applying the acceptance model to gaming, drugs and sensory processing difficulties

-Self as Context - identity and separating from difficult self-perceptions
-ASD as context Blindness - impact on social skills
-Social skills training via Committed Action
-The role of mindfulness
-Basics of a functional analysis for behaviour change

Each module is available as a PDF download, and there is also a modules bundle with some suggested resources that can be downloaded from the Module Five video handouts!
This Workshop Has 5 Sections
  • Module One
    Connection and Rapport Building for Neurodiverse Kids
    Tuesday, January 14, 2020 · 3:00 PM AEDT
    In this module, you will learn about the best way to connect with ASD kids, the neurobiology and the science of engaging, and an introduction to Compassion-Focused Acceptance Commitment Therapy.
    1578973587-9398c72fb0df5e73
  • Module Two
    Introduction to Acceptance Commitment Therapy
    Wednesday, February 12, 2020 · 7:30 PM AEDT
    In this module, you will be introduced to Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and learn about psychological flexibility for ASD.
    1581495081-1364b486286ebc81
  • Module Three
    Workable and Committed Actions Through Values Identification
    Wednesday, February 12, 2020 · 7:30 PM AEDT
    In this module, you will learn about the role of values, and Committed Action - putting values into practice.
    1581495755-27c4983d0be3ec08
  • Module Four
    Addressing Cognitions, Mood and Behaviour
    Wednesday, February 12, 2020 · 8:30 PM AEDT
    In this module, you will learn about ASD and mood disorders, acceptance and experiential avoidance, cognitive defusion, and applying the acceptance model to gaming, drugs and sensory processing difficulties.
    1581498916-76713e144c2d9878
  • Module Five
    Social Skills in Context
    Wednesday, February 12, 2020 · 8:30 PM AEDT
    In this module, you will learn about social skills, including context blindness, an example of a frank chat with older kids, functional analysis, and play for younger children.
    1581499724-a478b1d4f4a1be33
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