Autism Bookshelf: Motivation and Reinforcement

This is the latest in an occasional series, Autism Bookshelf, reviewing important books on the history of autism and on autism intervention.

Last year, Robert Schramm BCBA's fine manual on teaching using ABA and an analysis of verbal behavior was released in its second edition.   It is now entitled Motivation and Reinforcement: Turning the Tables on Autism.    Below is my review of the first edition, Educating Toward Recovery, as it appeared on an autism website back in 2007.  I can only imagine this great book is now even better.

How Much is "The Most?" - the Volume of ABA Research

Back in 2003, Morton Gernsbacher published an interesting article that took applied behavior analysis (ABA) advocates to task for claiming that ABA is ‘scientifically proven.’   This upset some folks in the ABA community.   I liked it. 

It’s true that ABA studies have methodology limitations, like all studies of anything.   It was true when he wrote that there was less replication of these studies than there should have been.  That’s less true now, but more replication would still be good.  The standard for scientific proof is very high.   As advocates of science, advocates of ABA should take that standard seriously and talk about proof carefully.

What we can say with confidence is that ABA has the most evidence of effectiveness as an autism intervention.   There is no near competitor.   But how much is ‘the most?’   Gernsbacher says “It is to the great credit of ABA proponents that they have consistently sought to provide scientific evidence of the efficacy of their treatment.”  How much evidence amounts to ‘consistently?’ 

Going Solo - A New 'Motivations'

Back in 2010, I created this 'Motivations' blog as an on-line replacement for the print bulletin of Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) of Central MD.   POAC is now defunct, but I plan to keep this blog alive.  It won't change much - I'll still use it as a place to share experiences and research about ABA and autism.  Posts will continue to be occasional.  The generally-a-little-out-of-control life of an autism parent doesn't change much either.   As always, I appreciate your comments.