Hi there! Whether you are a parent or professional in the autism world, I’m sure you have asked which autism book is best for me?
In today’s episode, I’ll be diving into a topic that’s very close to my heart: my two bestselling books on autism, “The Verbal Behavior Approach” and “Turn Autism Around.” I’ll be sharing the unique strengths and insights each book offers, discussing their differences, and helping you determine which autism book might be the best fit for your needs.
Whether you’re a parent, a professional, or just starting your journey in the autism world, this episode is packed with valuable information to guide you. Let’s get started!
You’ll Learn
When you search the internet for books on autism, you will get a wide range of options.
There are books written by professionals like me, designed to help you support your children. There are books written by autism moms and dads sharing their experiences raising kids with autism and there will be autism books written by autism self-advocates that can help give us insight into what they experience navigating life with autism.
My books on autism are unique because I am both a parent and professional. I understand the importance of getting crucial, helpful information out there, but I also believe in making it readable to professionals but also to parents who may need it the most!
While there are many great books out there, I wrote two that I am often told have changed parents and professionals’ lives. I wrote the Verbal Behavior Approach and Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism. Hint: That second book isn’t just for parents….
Recently, I was at a professional conference for a book signing and was surprised that most who came up wanted me to sign my first book The Verbal Behavior Approach and didn’t even know that I had written a second.
When I initially wrote “The Verbal Behavior Approach”, I had no idea it would resonate so deeply with readers around the world. The book’s unexpected impact transformed my career, catapulting me into the international spotlight and leading to invitations to speak at conferences and events globally. I was particularly amazed by the continuous positive feedback and the book’s enduring popularity, even years after its publication.
It became a staple in graduate-level ABA coursework and has been translated into multiple languages, underscoring its universal appeal and effectiveness in helping children with autism. It is also the framework that my original online autism course was built around.
But, I actually told most of the professionals to set it down and pick up my newest book because I think it is even more helpful! So let’s get into the differences between these two best-selling autism books.
Benefits:
“The Verbal Behavior Approach” offers a comprehensive guide for parents, educators, and behavior analysts on how to effectively teach children with autism using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
As far as autism books go, this book is rich with detailed strategies for teaching communication skills, managing behaviors, and enhancing social interactions. It covers essential techniques such as pairing, manding, and tacting, providing a step-by-step approach to implementing these methods.
The book also includes valuable insights from my professional journey and practical advice on how to document progress.
Its widespread use in graduate-level ABA courses and its translation into multiple languages underscore its global impact and enduring relevance.
This book tends to be good for parents or professionals who are working with older children or intermediate language learners but there are some drawback.
Considerations:
While “The Verbal Behavior Approach” by has been widely praised for its comprehensive and practical strategies, one of its main downfalls is that some of the methods described are now outdated and I no longer use them.
The book was published in 2007, and my procedures have evolved significantly since then. For instance, I no longer use certain techniques like escape extinction and positive practice for potty training, which are briefly mentioned in the book.
So while I still recommend the book, it is an example of the learning that I have done since 2007.
Benefits:
“Turn Autism Around” is specifically designed for parents of young children who are showing early signs of autism. However, it is a great resource for professionals and parents working with children diagnosed with autism under the age of 5, or those who aren’t conversational.
This action guide offers a clear and accessible approach to early intervention, emphasizing a positive, child-friendly methodology. The book provides practical, easy-to-follow steps for assessing, planning, teaching, and using data to make informed decisions about a child’s development.
Unique to this book are chapters on picky eating, sleep, and other common issues faced by young children with autism. With its focus on early intervention, “Turn Autism Around” empowers parents to make immediate, impactful changes, helping to set the foundation for long-term success and improved quality of life for their children.
This book centers around my online course for toddlers and preschoolers and provides my most up-to-date insights and procedures. Despite the name, it is a great parent and professional read! You cannot go wrong with this autism book, but there are some considerations.
Considerations:
“Turn Autism Around” is a valuable resource for early intervention, but it has some limitations.
While the book provides a wealth of practical advice, it may fall short for parents and professionals seeking more in-depth, specialized techniques for advanced behavioral issues.
Moreover, some readers might find it difficult to implement the strategies without the additional support offered by my online courses.
That being said, we do offer a free read of the first chapters and numerous free book resources to go along with the book.
I hope you are able to grab one or both of these great autism books to get started on your journey to helping your child or clients become as happy, and independent as possible!
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