Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – supporting parents of children on the autism spectrum

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties in communication, social relationships and rigid behaviour patterns. Parents and carers of children with ASD are at risk of experiencing particular stress, lowered mood and reduced quality of life in relation to their role. They are also significantly more likely to experience symptoms of parental burnout. There are various methods of psychological support aimed at helping parents of children with autism. Among these, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which belongs to the so-called third wave of cognitive-behavioural therapies, is growing in popularity. ACT approach methods enhance the ability to cope with difficult situations by enhancing psychological flexibility, cognitive defusion and preventing experience avoidance. According to the research to date, ACT appears to be an effective method for supporting parents with ASD. However, for many of them, inpatient meetings or workshops remain out of reach due to the commitment of caring for a child with developmental challenges. For this reason, online interventions may be a particularly useful alternative for this client group. The ACT approach is intensively researched in terms of its effectiveness in an online format. There are studies describing ACT programmes using ICT systems, also in the context of supporting parents with ASD. Their results suggest that they can significantly influence the reduction of symptoms of depression, stress and parental burnout, and that the most important skill leading to a better well-being is ‘being mindful in the here and now’. In conclusion, the ACT approach using ICT systems may be a promising proposal to support parents of children with autism spectrum disorders.