Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) works by helping kids with special needs develop psychological flexibility and resilience. It involves several key components and techniques that empower them to embrace challenges and take meaningful action toward their goals. Here are some examples of how ACT is applied in practice:
- Mindfulness: Kids are taught to be present at the moment, observing their thoughts and emotions without judgment.
- Values Clarification: They identify their core values and align their actions with what truly matters to them.
- Cognitive Defusion: Techniques are used to help kids detach from unhelpful thoughts and see them as passing mental events.
- Acceptance: They learn to accept difficult emotions and experiences, recognizing that resistance can intensify suffering.
- Committed Action: Kids set specific goals and take consistent steps towards achieving them, even in the face of challenges.
By incorporating these principles, kids with special needs can cultivate psychological flexibility, enhance their well-being, and navigate life’s obstacles with resilience. Goally, a tablet with life and language skills apps, can complement Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) by offering interactive tools for visual schedules, AAC, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social skills training.
This post was originally published on June 14, 2023. It was updated on July 19, 2023.