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.
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.
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