Positive Parenting for Autism: Powerful Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Challenges and Thrive

by Victoria Boone

Positive Parenting for Autism delivers practical guidance that will empower parents to implement the techniques used by professionals to help their child with autism build essential social and life skills in an encouraging, affirming way.

Raising a child with autism is one of the most challenging responsibilities any parent can face. It can be difficult to manage the commitments of daily life and also feel as though you’re doing all you can to support the development of your special needs child. Positive Parenting for Autism delivers scientifically-proven techniques to practice in your day-to-day life to help your child develop the essential skills they need to thrive and live a fulfilling life with autism.

Written by board certified behavior analyst and therapist, Victoria Boone, Positive Parenting for Autism provides concrete tools to help you develop personalized behavior change plans aimed at both increasing your child’s positive behaviors and decreasing unwanted or problem behaviors associated with their autism. Based on the principles of applied behavioral therapy (ABA), Positive Parenting for Autism offers strengths-based strategies that will empower you to help your child with autism meet, and even exceed, the goals you envision for them.

Compassionate and effective, Positive Parenting for Autism offers:

Clear, easy-to-understand explorations of core ABA strategies such as using positive vs. negative reinforcement, teaching complex behaviors, practicing social skills, coordinating with educators, and more, to help your child manage daily life with autism. Real-life examples of these techniques in practice to help you understand how these new skills and strategies address the everyday situations you and your child with autism face. Guidance for creating a program of action for your child based on the proven strategies and techniques of ABA that are tailored to the unique needs of your child with autism.

Parenting a child with autism presents unique challenges. But with the thorough, practical guidance in Positive Parenting for Autism, you’ll feel confident using these effective skill-building techniques to bring about positive, lasting change in your child’s life.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Parenting, Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook

144 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2018

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raising a child with autism can be lonely and challenging. So, I really appreciate the positive and encouraging tone throughout this book.

Often times I give in to my daughter, because I’m drained, annoyed, or don’t actually feel like disciplining. This book was the perfect reminder that I’m negatively reinforcing my daughter’s behavior.

I really want to give extinction burst a try. Even though I know it’s going to be harder for me than her.

I recommend this book if you’re an autism parent and you want to learn more about: applied behavioral therapy, punishment, differential reinforcement, extinction, leaning on “the village” and what that consists of. It’s less of a deep dive and more of an overview of each topic.

[Anette Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of GREAT information and such positive support.

[Daryl]

DNF at 38% due to having to return my copy to the lender.

[Lonnie Pacelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightfulness: 5 Stars | Creativity: 4 Stars | Well Written: 5 Stars | Page Turner: 3 Stars

Positive Parenting for Autism provides an overview of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and how ABA can be effectively used to help a child overcome behavioral challenges.

Is it insightful? 5 Stars
Very good presentation of ABA concepts and techniques. It’s clear the author has mastery of subject matter.

Is it creative? 4 Stars
Good examples and case studies throughout the book which reinforce the concepts. Nothing exciting or unique about how concepts are presented. The ABA concepts, while helpful for parenting a child with autism, are not exclusive to autism; they are good overall parenting techniques.

Is the well written? 5 stars
Read in about two hours. Author communicates clearly and concisely. Each chapter has takeaways at the end to reinforce key concepts. Good formatting for Kindle, though when hyperlinks are clicked within a paragraph there is no way to get back to where you were reading.

Is it a page turner? 3 Stars
Book covers a lot of turf; however the author’s writing voice is non-existent, which made the reading much less interesting. The author expresses no empathy, encouragement, or desire to connect with the reader, who is most likely dealing with a difficult parenting situation. This is underscored in a number of statements in last chapter telling the reader how much he/she has learned as result of reading the book. How does the author know what the reader learned?

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

[Reuben · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Positive Parenting for Autism…” in order to compel/cajole/convince your autistic child to conform to your neurotypical social expectations.

There’s a few practical aspects to the book but little here to empower autistic kids to function in their own lives while remaining true to themselves. Like many books that focus on extolling the virtues of ABA (even the modern versions), this one tends to have a binary mindset: be able to function in society, or be left behind by the world.

There are better books out there to help you and your child find their place in the world. Look for authors more like Mona Delahooke for more neurodiverse positive outlooks.

[Kendra Moe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have since read articles from adults with autism who had ABA strategies used on them as children... and they hated it! I also didn't like the "scientific experiment" feel to some of the strategies. My child is a human. Not a lab rat.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Tools

This book was fantastic, and had so many wonderful tools and techniques. I was recommended to read this book by the neuropsychologist that diagnosed my son with ASD, but as I also work at a school, I can see how beneficial this could be for ANY child. There are so many techniques that make sense but that people normally wouldn’t do on their own in this book. I could see myself using this on any other children I may have later on in life, or in my own classroom. I don’t understand all the negative comments about ABA being abusive. I have only seen progress from this therapy.

[Glenda Grbac · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a behavior analyst and new parent, I found this book to be a a quick and easy read. I will be adding this to my list of recommendations for the families I work with. I do believe this information can be useful for any parent, regardless if you have a child with special needs. I appreciated the short section on advocacy but felt like it missed an opportunity to include suggestions on neurodivergent-affirming practices. Overall, great parent-friendly overview of ABA.

[Candida · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helping hand in giving parents and autistic kids tools for survival in this world. To think of what life was like without this help is heartbreaking. There's so much to take in. I had to go over this information over again. I highly recommend this book.

[The Velvet Bookmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has easy to follow, easy to understand and easy relatable information. I think it’s a gem for newly diagnosed Littles (not that it isn’t useful for older children.) Whether you are for ABA, or not, I think this is a great read.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and straightforward book packed with real life examples and application methods. Great overview of ABA and how to apply it to real life situations, including tricky things like social skills.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the step by step process to give my child his best life.

[Amanda Lavelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ramsey Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of great info for parents. Unfortunately there are a lot of graphics and worksheets that done translate very well to the kindle version. I would recommend a physical book.

[Damien A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me understand and parenty autistic daughter

[Jan frasier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful. Thank you

[the.average.aussie.mum · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t even get through a couple of chapters, very much feel like this is trying to make neurodivergent / autistic children conform to society. We should be embracing neurodivergence not making them change

[Ashley Roggow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a good, well written and helpful book. I love how it follows applied behavior analysis techniques. Plus it gives real life examples. Lots of tips and info that actually applies and helps.
Definitely recommend. My daughter is 7 and is not autistic, or at least not diagnosed but a lot of these tips and techniques have been great for us with her. She has been having challenges since she was a baby and lately her behaviors have escalated. This is great to work with her and it definitely helps.
Did get to read for free through the Callisto Publisher's Club but these opinions are based on my own experience and opinions.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent of an adult child diagnosed with Autism, it is important to have books that empower guardians to assist those family members achieve their goals. This book investigates reasons for behaviors and reinforcement. The author did an excellent job of recognizing parents as the experts in their children and combining the skills of clinicians in guiding caregivers.

[Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this (even as a school psychologist who supports behavior as a living). Lots of useful tips to apply with my own child, and when writing plans for students as well.