Book Participation Meeting 

Recruitment is underway for participants in an upcoming book about the treatment of autism. Parents of children age 5 to 12 with autism spectrum disorder, Asperger, or a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome with features of autism may qualify to receive free training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and parental coping strategies if they agree to participate in a book on the effects of such training on child compliance, parenting self-efficacy, and parental coping and sense of wellbeing. The lead author is Carmen McGuinness, EdD, BCBA-D. Dr. McGuinness is the behavior analyst at Chrysalis School and its affiliated clinic Chrysalis Center for Change in Altamonte Springs. The book is based on a previous study conducted by Dr. McGuinness.

Participants will attend a comprehensive parent-training workshop for parents of children who are demonstrating problem behaviors related to a autism. The six-week training will incorporate lectures, behavioral skills training, and role-playing. In addition to learning a behavior analytic approach to managing your child’s problem behaviors, participants will develop effective coping behaviors of their own, a key ingredient in your sense of wellbeing and your child's outcome. Participants are also eligible to attend a free ABA parenting workshop on Wednesdays for six consecutive weeks from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at our Altamonte Springs school, commencing on September 30^th.

You and your child may be eligible for participation if your child is five to twelve years old and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or Asperger, or has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome with features of autism.

Time commitment associated with participation includes a minimum of a comprehensive interview with the second author, Mr. Larry J. Leech. Participants are also eligible to receive two one-hour home coaching sessions with Dr. McGuinness; one during, and one after the six-week training. Participants will also complete five subjective tests three times during the six-week workshop. Only the interview is required of participants, however if parents elect to attendt the workshop, complete the subjective tests, and have the home coaching session, the total time committment would be approximately 20 hours stretched out over ten to twelve weeks.

Benefits of participation may include parent training in the principles and procedures of

Applied Behavior Analysis, training in parenting coping associated with increased parenting self-efficacy and improved sense of wellbeing, and improved child compliance to parental requests.

The intention of the book presented in three sections is detailed below:

• Section one addresses the history, possible causes, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Myths are dispelled as the reader is brought up to date on the most recent scientific findings regarding the etiology and treatment of autism. The reader also learns about the effects of the disorder on parents and families, and how this impacts treatment outcome.
• Section two chronicles the experiences of seven parents and their children. These stories are used to illustrate appropriate practices for management of these special children, and the interaction of parental coping strategies, sense of well-being, and parenting self-efficacy with child compliance and overall performance. Critical features of success are covered including: prompting, shaping, fading treatment to normalization, and generalization to school and the community are detailed.
• Section three is offered as a summary of what has been learned, and provides tips and forms to help the reader set goals, get started, and stay focused.

Confidentiality of participants will be maintained with aliases used in the book. Participants must be willing to grant permission for their stories to be used in the book.

An initial information meeting will be held for those interested in participating on September 16th from 7:00 to 9:00PM at Chrysalis School at 1173 Spring Centre South Blvd, Suite B, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. For the confidentiality of participants, the information meeting will only be open to those who have pre-registered for the meeting. If you are interested in participating in the book please register for the information meeting. Attendance at the meeting requires pre-registration via our secure link.

Register Now!