EnACTing a Neuroaffirming Understanding and Approach to Autistic Clients

Live Online Workshop

Capability level: Established

Date: 8 & 15 May 2024

Time: 10.00am–1.00pm AEST

Social workers will no doubt work with many diagnosed, misdiagnosed, and undiagnosed autistic clients throughout their careers. Therefore, it is imperative that practitioners know how to connect, engage, communicate, empower, and work effectively with autistic people so that they feel heard, respected, valued, and included.

Traditionally, interventions have been developed by neurotypical people with the aim to normalise or “fix” autistic individuals. As social workers, our therapeutic work begins by accepting and celebrating the unique identities and perspectives of autistic people, by focusing on their strengths and values, and by exploring who they are with them with curiosity and excitement. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers itself up as an ideal model to help achieve these goals, as ACT requires the practitioner to understand the world from the client’s perspective and see the client as the expert in their life. ACT views the therapeutic relationship as essential to helping the client work towards change and a values-based life. ACT aims to help clients to thrive, not just survive.

This two-part interactive workshop will take an evidence-based approach to working with autistic adults. It will offer participants a unique insight into how autistic people experience the world around them and will provide participants with the opportunity to understand how to build an ACT approach into their work. Part of this will include examples of ACT strategies and exercises. These can be applied both personally and professionally, as ACT is an experiential model. These workshops will be facilitated by accredited social workers, experienced in using ACT with autistic clients, and will incorporate case studies, several interactive activities, and group discussions.

Additional materials

Participants will be provided with:

• PDF of the presentation slides
• List of additional resources
• Workbook

Who should attend? Emerging and evolving practitioners who have some prior experience working with Autistic adults and/or ACT who would like to develop more effective strategies to support their Autistic clients.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the unique way in which Autistic people experience the world
• Understand how to work in neuro-affirming ways
• Define the different areas of psychological flexibility
• Identify the benefits of using ACT with Autistic adults
• Experience the effects of a simple ACT exercise as both the client and practitioner through role-play
• Develop an understanding of how ACT strategies/exercises function, and start to create your own ACT toolbox

AASW Credential: Disability, Mental Health (FPS)