First Things First: Parent Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion During COVID-19

Coyne et al. (2021) wrote a how-to paper for BCBAs. It gives short ACT exercises parents can use at home. The goal is to keep moms and dads calm so they can still run ABA kernels during COVID stress.

No kids were tested. The paper is a toolbox, not an experiment.

The authors show that when parents practice quick flexibility and self-kindness drills, they stay more consistent with praise, clear cues, and follow-through.

They give ready-to-copy worksheets like the "Values Star" and "Finger-Breathing" to use in telehealth sessions.

Gur et al. (2023) looked at 26 studies and agreed: ACT helps parents of kids with disabilities feel better and parent better. Coyne’s tools sit inside this bigger picture.

CHiggins et al. (2021) published the same month, also offering 18 COVID-friendly ACT worksheets for ASD families. The two papers are twin cookbooks—same recipe style, different page numbers.

Gu et al. (2023) counted caregivers worldwide and found over half had clinical stress during the pandemic. Coyne’s toolkit answers that exact problem.

Kunze et al. (2025) later tested a live parent-coaching package that baked flexibility into every lesson. Their data back up Coyne’s claim: flexible parents learn faster and kids engage more.

You can open Coyne’s paper, print one worksheet, and hand it to a stressed parent today. A five-minute ACT drill before session can cut parent burnout and keep your treatment plan on track. Use it anytime services go virtual or when families hit rough patches.