Poddar, S., Sinha, V.K., & Mukherjee, U. (2017). Impact of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Valuing Behaviour of Parents of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal, 3(3), 555614.

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on accepting things that are beyond control and on commitment to possibly changeable aspects by increasing the psychological flexibility of the person, thereby aiding to better realistic adjustments.

Objectives: The present study aims at studying the effectiveness of ACT on parents having their children with neurodevelopmental disorders, who inevitably face enormous challenges by the developmental deficits of their offspring.

Methods: The study followed hospital based repeated measures study design. Sample consisted 5 parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders receiving intervention. The present study used a 9-session protocol of ACT spread over 6 weeks. Assessment measures were taken for values and psychological flexibility. Prior to the treatment, baseline measures were taken and further compared with post-treatment and follow up measures using appropriate statistical analyses.

Results: Pre- to post- treatment improvements were evident in values and psychological flexibility.

Conclusions: Findings implied that ACT's effectiveness on parents having children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. The mechanism of change reflected in the study, is highly consistent with the theory and philosophy behind ACT and underscored the need for longer treatment.