The demands placed on
parents caring for a child with autism can contribute to a high level of parental
distress and adversely affect family functioning. Unfortunately, families are
often exposed to unsubstantiated, pseudoscientific theories, and related
clinical practices that are ineffective and compete with validated treatments.
The time, effort, and financial resources spent on ineffective treatments can
create an additional burden on families. As a result, parents and caregivers
everywhere are eager for credible, research-based information on the most
effective treatments for autism. Chaos
to Calm: Discovering Solutions to the Everyday Problems of Living with Autism
by Martha Gabler describes an evidence-based method that can be used by parents
and caregivers to address the everyday challenges associated with autism and improve
the quality of life for their children and families.
The book is a personal
account of Martha Gabler’s journey from chaos to calm and how she
discovered and implemented an effective teaching method for decreasing the
challenging behaviors of her non-verbal son Doug, who was diagnosed with severe
autism. Gabler shows parents how to use a method called TAGteach to address
many of the common and difficult problems of autism. Briefly, the acronym TAG stands
for “Teaching with Acoustical Guidance.” The method utilizes an acoustical signal
such as a click or a hand clap to “mark” the behavior that will earn positive
reinforcement. TAGteach is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis
(ABA) and relies on the use of positive reinforcement, prompting, fading, and
shaping to increase desired behaviors. It is a completely positive approach
that is relatively easy to learn and implement by parents and other
“non-experts.”
Chaos to calm consists of 15 chapters. The first chapter introduces
the reader to TAGteach and describes how the method works. At the outset, Gabler
takes a reasoned and reasonable approach by commenting that TAGteach is not a
substitute or replacement for other behavioral methods, but one that can serve
as a powerful adjunct to these and other teaching strategies. She also notes
that TAGteach is not a cure for autism, but a method that was uniquely
successful at teaching her son functional behaviors that allowed her family to
experience a better quality of home life. The subsequent chapters are arranged
to describe what Gabler feels are a logical progression of skills to learn. She
begins by describing step-by-step how the TAGteach process can be applied to a
single, less challenging task (“Quiet Mouth” behavior) and then to more complex
and difficult problems such as tantrums and transitions; self stimulatory
behaviors; aggression, self-injurious, and destructive behavior; and arguably one
of the most challenging and stressful behaviors of children with autism, chronic
sleep problems. There are also chapters focusing on “going into the community” and
social, life, and play skills. The final chapters provide a summary of the
TAGteach approach, answers to some common questions regarding application of the
method, and future directions for the use of TAGteach.
Chaos to calm is more than a “how to” book or guide to behavior
management. Gabler puts a human face on applied behavioral methods and describes
her challenges and experiences with thoughtfulness, compassion, and humor. She also
emphasizes the importance of responsibility; following rules and understanding
limits; and “learning the rules of society.” As Gabler notes, it’s important to
teach the concept of a rule for the child. She also reminds adults to follow a
very important rule: only ask your children to do what they are capable of
doing.
Chaos
to Calm: Discovering Solutions to the Everyday Problems of Living with Autism is highly recommended to parents and caregivers of
children across the autism spectrum who will find the book a source of
inspiration and encouragement as they begin their own personal journey from chaos
to calm. Professionals will also find the book a valuable resource for use
with families and teachers who have a pressing need for practical, evidence-based
interventions to deal with the daily struggles and challenging behaviors of
children with autism.
Gabler, M. (2013). Chaos
to calm: Discovering solutions to the everyday problems of living with autism.
Waltham, MA: TAGteach International.
Reviewed by Lee A.
Wilkinson, PhD
Lee
A. Wilkinson, PhD, CCBT, NCSP is author of the award-winning book, A
Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger
Syndrome in Schools, published by Jessica
Kingsley Publishers. Dr.
Wilkinson is also editor of a best-selling text in the APA School Psychology
Book Series, Autism
Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Evidence-Based Assessment and
Intervention in Schools, and
author of Overcoming
Anxiety and Depression on the Autism Spectrum: A Self-Help Guide Using CBT. His latest book is A
Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
in Schools (2nd Edition).
© Lee A. Wilkinson
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