NeuroACT

• 12 weekly 90-minute online sessions (groups of 6–12)
• Relaxed, supportive format
• Weekly worksheets, handouts, planners and homework
• Access to video content and Focus Exercises on the NeuroACT platform
• Program fee: $1,980 incl. GST

Includes:

• 1 intake interview
• 12 sessions
• All program materials
• Platform access
• Ongoing support
• Great value: $165/week
• Use NDIS funding if available.

The program teaches essential skills to address challenges with executive and adaptive functions, helping participants reduce stress and improve quality of life by supporting them to do more of what matters most.

Developed in consultation with autistic people, NeuroACT helps individuals manage stressful situations such as sensory overload (sounds, smells, tactile experiences), emotional and bodily unawareness or dysregulation, unfamiliar events, environmental changes, or situations that exceed social capacity.

When these stressors feel unmanageable, they often lead to difficult thoughts and feelings such as worry and sadness. The body may tense up, making everything feel harder and limiting one’s ability to cope with both familiar and new situations. Over time, this can negatively affect mental and physical health.

NeuroACT methods draw on the behavioural science of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—a form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—alongside neuroscience, particularly neuropsychology and executive function research.

By enhancing stress management skills, NeuroACT reduces avoidance and supports meaningful behaviours and activities that improve overall quality of life.

This is achieved through:

Motivation techniques – identifying what’s truly important to the individual (not what parents, peers, or society dictate) and setting clear behaviour goals

Adversity skills – perspective-taking, accepting emotions and bodily reactions

Psychoeducation – practical knowledge on common neurodivergent challenges such as stress, emotions, sensory experiences, and body signals

Tailored for Neurodivergent Needs

Developed in consultation with autistic individuals, NeuroACT is especially effective in addressing challenges such as sensory overload, emotional dysregulation, and changes in routine or environment.

Skills and Benefits

The overall goal is increased psychological flexibility—building resilience, reducing avoidance, and pursuing personally meaningful goals.

Participants will learn to:

• Clarify personal values and set meaningful behaviour goals
• Improve emotional and physical self-awareness
• Understand stress, emotions, and sensory input through a neurodivergent lens

NeuroACT Program Guide

The NeuroACT program has been developed by experts in the field specifically for neurodiverse teens and those with elevated stress levels and mental health challenges.

NeuroACT has been evaluated at the esteemed Karolinska Institute as a highly effective program, delivering positive outcomes for its participants.

The studies are part of the doctoral dissertation by Johan Pahnke:

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evaluation of Feasibility, Effectiveness and Validity of a novel Contextual Behavioral Treatment

Outcomes of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based skills training group for students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: a quasi-experimental pilot study. Author: Pahnke, J, Lundgren, T., Hursti, T., & Hirvikoski, T. (2014). Published in the Journal: Autism

Acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults: an open pilot study in a psychiatric outpatient context. Authors: Pahnke, J., Hirvikoski, T., Bjureberg, J., Bölte, S., Jokinen, J., Bohman, B., & Lundgren, T. (2019). Published in the Journal of Contextual Behavioural Science

Acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults: A randomized controlled pilot study in a psychiatric outpatient setting. Authors: Pahnke, J., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., Andersson, G., Bjureberg, J., Jokinen, J., Bohman, B., & Lundgren, T. (2022). Published in Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Social Allostasis and Social Allostatic Load: A New Model for Research in Social Dynamics, Stress, and Health (Darby E. Saxbe, Lane Beckes, Sarah A. Stoycos, and James A. Coan, 2020) published in Association for Phycological Science