| "Sense and Nonsense in the Behaioral | | | | etc.) I always find out if they have ever worked |
| Treatment of Autism: It Had To Be Said" by | | | | with a child with ASD, and if they specifically have |
| Ron Leaf, Ph.D., John McEachin, Ph.D., and Mitchell | | | | worked with a child with sensory integration |
| Taubman, Ph.D., of Autism Partnership. | | | | issues along with being nonverbal. |
| Chapters were co-written by: Danille Baker, M.S., | | | | The books also contains a list of alternative |
| Andy Bondy, Ph.D., Marlene Driscoll, MA., LMFT, B.J. | | | | biologically-based and non-biologically-based |
| Freeman, Ph.D., Toby Mountjoy, Doris Soluaga | | | | treatments. The authors go through and list the |
| Murtha, M.A., Tracee Parker, Ph.D., David Rosteter, | | | | therapy, what it's supposed to do, and the |
| Ph.D., Sandy Slater, Ph.D., Jennifer Styzens, M.S., | | | | scientific support for it's effectiveness. I have |
| Andrea Waks, J.D.. This book is primarily about | | | | tried a lot of different treatments with my child. |
| ABA therapy and other therapy options as they | | | | Some have worked and some have not. As a |
| apply to the treatment of Autism Spectum | | | | mom, I am willing to try anything and everything |
| Disorder(ASD). I enjoyed reading this book. It | | | | as long as there is no risk to my child. I have |
| was thought provoking and delivered great advice | | | | done a lot of research about specific therapies on |
| and information. | | | | the internet. Weeding through the propaganda |
| At the beginning of the book, the authors say | | | | and consulting my son's doctor about the ones |
| that "Throughout this book we will refer to | | | | that sound promising. The amount of time I |
| various models of treatment for children with | | | | spent doing all that research could have been |
| Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We have | | | | saved if I had this book to use as a starting |
| chosen to start with Applied Behavior Analysis | | | | point. I will be the first to admit, before my son |
| (ABA), because we consider it to be one of the | | | | was diagnosed, I knew nothing about Autism. |
| most important and yet one which is likely to be | | | | Another good point of this book is that it made |
| unfamiliar or misunderstood by many readers." | | | | me appreciate the viewpoints of the different |
| By stating this, they let you know which therapy | | | | professionals that work with my son. Especially, |
| they believe in the most. The authors even | | | | the teachers and other school personnel. The |
| state that they have "strong opinions" and that | | | | authors discuss IEP meetings, goals, meaningful |
| their "aim therefore is to help readers better | | | | progress and inclusion. They repeatedly state |
| understand what ABA is." | | | | that "The focus must remain on protecting the |
| I appreciated reading what the authors | | | | needs of the child." Unfortunately, "Parents are |
| intentions were when righting this book. I also | | | | treated as if they do not really understand the |
| aprreciated the fact that they spelled out the | | | | needs of their child. Teachers are treated as |
| good points and negative points of ABA | | | | though they are incompetent and uncaring." |
| therapy. One point that was made is something | | | | This book breaks down how and why both |
| parents need to keep in mind when hiring a | | | | sides feel the way they do. As a parent, I have |
| therapist. "A recent credential, Board Certified | | | | been involved in IEP meetings that I have cried |
| Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is starting to be | | | | my way through. I have also been through |
| recognized and in some cases required as a way | | | | meetings that I came out feeling so great, |
| to identify who is qualified to deliver ABA | | | | knowing my son was finally going to get all his |
| services." The assessment process for a | | | | needs met. I wish that all meetings were good |
| professional does not require training on ASD. | | | | ones. If more people involved took the time to |
| There is "not any provision for evaluating the | | | | understand and respect the other side's viewpoint, |
| practical skills of a candidate. The assessment | | | | then maybe the result would be one side. The |
| method used in the certification process is a | | | | child's side. |
| paper and pencil test." | | | | I recommend this book to everyone. It is |
| As a parent with a child diagnosed ASD, I | | | | not a book that you can read and afterwards, |
| understand the importance of having a therapist | | | | have all the answers to helping your child. It is a |
| that is trained in their field, trained in ASD, and has | | | | book that will aide you in making choices, decisions |
| practical experience working with children on the | | | | concerning treatment and educational goals for |
| spectrum. The authors pointed out that, if you | | | | your child. Like I said earlier, I wish I had been |
| are looking to start ABA therapy and wish to hire | | | | able to read this book when my son was first |
| a BCBA, do not assume that means the person | | | | diagnosed(5 years ago). He is almost ten and |
| you are hiring has the training and experience | | | | everyday is a struggle. This book has helped me |
| your child needs in a therapist. This applies to all | | | | though. It has helped me to be able to sit down |
| therapist across the board. Whenever my son | | | | and plan our next move. |
| starts working with someone new(speech,OT, | | | | |