Supporting the Wellbeing of Autistic Children and Young People: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach

Discover how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) & the DNA-V model can empower parents & professionals to support autistic children and young people through all stages of their emotional development.

Raising any child presents challenges that require understanding, patience, and new ways of looking at emotional growth and resilience. Supporting an autistic child effectively can often require two interlocking approaches:

1) changing the world around them to make it more inclusive and

2) teaching them skills to better navigate that world.

This book does both. It provides a range of learning exercises based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT helps individuals to behave more consistently with their own values and apply mindfulness and acceptance skills to their responses to uncontrollable experiences.

The closely related DNA-V model, which stands for four skills - Discoverer, Noticer, Advisor and Values which is also discussed in the book, is a combination of ACT and positive psychology. DNA-V is designed to help young people cope with challenges, stress and change. DNA-V is simple and easy to understand and is popular with psychologists, therapists, mental health professionals, teachers, counsellors and coaches.

Whatever your situation or level of knowledge, this book offers practical strategies, insights and real-life examples that will help guide you and your child on your journey to a rewarding life together.