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ACT Therapy for Kids with Brian Middleton

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Register for Free Training
Brian Middleton is a former special education teacher and a current practicing BCBA. He is a father and also has an autism diagnosis as well as ADHD. Brian works with Mindful Behavior LLC, Neurodiversity-Affirming Behavior Analysis, through an Acceptance & Commitment Training Framework.

What is ACT?

ACT is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or Training). Brian describes ACT as a language model, how we use our language to relate to our experiences and everything that we experience internally. Through this process, we flexibly engage with our environment, allowing space to feel emotions and understand them.

ACT for Nonverbal Kids with Autism

Can you use ACT with nonverbal children? Brian says yes! If you can tact or label your experience and have motivating operations, then you have everything you need to start. And if you can’t do those yet, then that’s where behavior analysis comes in. Brian describes how he uses his infant daughter and himself at the same time by acknowledging and confirming her emotions, whether they are joyous or distressing. i.e., “I see you’re frustrated. It’s okay to be frustrated; this is hard,” etc. While she may not developmentally understand now, Brian is using ACT on himself in this situation to shape up and continue this idea of acknowledging and allowing space for his child. While her own skills develop, ACT will be embedded in her processes.

Shaping Behavior with ACT

Holding space and allowing emotions and behaviors, does not mean anything goes. Part of ACT is creating and maintaining firm boundaries. While a child is allowed to feel angry, there is an expectation of what that anger should look like (no dangerous or injurious behaviors). Brian uses the example of a child who was angry about the end of a party, a developmentally appropriate response to this situation. However, because his feelings were honored and he had been taught to acknowledge and process them with ACT, he was able to feel angry and move past it. Another important factor in ACT is values. Everyone has values, and in ACT, these are used as reinforcements to engage learners.

You can find Mindful Behavior LLC at their website, as well as find Brian on social media as the Bearded Behaviorist.

ACT Therapy for Kids with Brian Middleton

Brian Middleton on Turn Autism Around Podcast

Brian is a human. Brian is a human who experiences the autistic & ADHD neurotypes. He is also a former special education teacher, a practicing behavior analyst, and a fierce advocate for disability rights. He is a husband and father, a scientist, an explorer, and a lover of humanity.

You’ll Learn

  • What is ACT?
  • How can you use ACT with non verbal, non vocal learners?
  • How can parents use ACT for their kids and themselves?
  • How can ACT shape desired behaviors and prevent problem behaviors?
  • How ACT embraces feelings and emotions.

Resources

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Register for Free Training