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ACT For Autism & ADHD: A Neuroaffirming Approach

In Toronto, on June 15-16 2026
From 9am to 5pm

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14 hours of Continuous Education

ACT For Autism & ADHD: A Neuroaffirming Approach

Autism and ADHD are neurotypes that come with many strengths, but also with problems.
The good news is, with its flexible format, and easy-to-adapt core processes, ACT is ideally suited for making a difference – especially when delivered from a neurodiversity-affirming stance.

In this advanced-level workshop, you’ll learn how to use ACT effectively with common neurodivergent issues – including how to scaffold executive functioning, build positive self-identity, break through task inertia, recover from burnout, and do quick, simple ‘mindfulness on the go’ practices (great for those who can’t ‘sit still & focus’).

This is one of the few workshop experiences I have walked away from with readily accessible skills. Within days of the workshop I was able to apply these skills in a very powerful way with my clients.
Michael du Sautoy, Psychologist

Workshop Details

At least 10% of the population meets criteria for ADHD, Autism, or both. (Russ himself is an ADHDer.)
And often there’s co-occurence with trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, or addiction.

This two-day in person workshop will teach you how to modify, adapt and apply ACT flexibly and effectively with the full range of clinical issues commonly found in neurodivergent populations.

The focus is on adults, but everything is relevant and easily adaptable to adolescents.

The good news: thanks to social justice movements all around the globe, stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against neurodivergent people is falling.
The bad news: many neurodivergent (ND) folk struggle greatly, as they grapple with the difficulties of life in a neurotypical world.

Often, they have a long and painful history of trauma and rejection, and repeated subjection to prejudice, discrimination, or bullying.
Hardly surprising then that mental health issues are pervasive in ND populations, and dual or triple diagnoses are common.

Back to the good news: with its flexible format, and easy-to-adapt core processes, ACT is ideally suited for making a difference.
This advanced-level workshop will teach you how to effectively use ACT, in a neurodiversity-affirming format, with common ND issues.
Genuine, calming, centering. The presentation of this doctor, teacher, therapist is professional, sensitive, and all-encompassing. It’s a personal shake-up done in the most respectful way. Russ allows the work to evolve so everyone feels supported. You leave refreshed and eager to try the strategies in your own practice setting.
Kate Donaldson, Nurse

You Will Learn How To Help Your Clients …

  • Scaffold executive functioning
  • Build emotion regulation skills
  • Develop flexible attention skills: for sustaining focus or shifting focus, as needed
  • Practice healthy self-soothing
  • Identify and harness ND strengths
  • Overcome impulsivity
  • Foster self-acceptance and self-compassion
  • Improve interoceptive awareness and ability to notice and name emotions
  • Build caring, supportive relationships
  • Practice effective self-advocacy
  • Recognise, reduce and recover from ND burnout
  • Develop greater cognitive flexibility
  • Defuse from rigid rules, harsh self-judgment, and internalised ableism
  • Develop a positive self-identity
  • Increase psychological flexibility
  • Practice safe, flexible unmasking
  • Use pacing and resting strategies for fatigue
  • Overcome rejection sensitivity
  • And so much more!
Definitely one of the best workshops I have attended during my career! Very worthwhile and informative, and useful for my clinical practice. Russ presents the material in an accessible and enjoyable way, using both didactic and experiential approaches.
Elizabeth Ditton, Psychologist

Who should attend this workshop?

This advanced-level workshop is intended for any practitioner who has already completed basic introductory training in ACT (which needn’t have been with Russ)
The workshop is open to all health practitioners, including : 
  • psychologists,
  • social workers,
  • counsellors,
  • therapists,
  • coaches,
  • psychiatrists,
  • mental health nurses,
  • youth workers,
  • Students and more...


Prerequisites
This is an advanced level course, which assumes at least a beginners-level knowledge of ACT.
Note: Attended an introductory level 2-day ACT workshop (with any ACT trainer)
we will not cover diagnosis or assessment.

The workshop does not focus on diagnosis or assessment tools. It focuses purely on practical interventions: tools, techniques, principles and strategies that you can use effectively with any client – whether they have a formal diagnosis or not.

An Exceptional workshop with Russ Harris, An international authority on ACT

  • An exceptional opportunity to learn the latest developments in Neuroaffirming ACT For ADHD & Autism from one of the biggest names in the field.
  • Two full days of training, a total of 14 hours, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • A certification to obtain Continuous Education Credits from your professional association
WORKSHOP VENUE

Residence & Conference Centre - Toronto Downtown

80 Cooperage St Toronto, Ontario, M5A 0J3
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Russ Harris

[EN] Russ Harris is a medical doctor and psychotherapist working in private practice for over 25 years with adult clients suffering from a wide range of trauma-related disorders. He has supervised psychotherapists for more than 15 years in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and has written 4 textbooks and 5 self-help books based on the model, including The Happiness Trap and Trauma-Focused ACT: A Practitioner's Guide to Working with Mind, Body, and Emotion Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

In 2015 Russ wrote an ACT protocol for the World Health Organisation, for use in refugee camps around the world. The WHO have now published three randomized control trials on the protocol, which has been shown to not only reduce PTSD and depression, but also to prevent the onset of mental health disorders in those at risk. The cartoon-based book that
Russ wrote as part of that protocol (titled ‘Doing What Matters In Times of Stress’) has become the most downloaded document ever from the WHO website : now close to 1 million downloads.
Patrick Jones - Course author
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