Cynthia R. Johnson – författare

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) begins in early childhood and is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. As many as half of children with ASD between the ages of 3 and 8 also exhibit disruptive behaviors that interfere with their overall development and family functioning.This Therapist Guide, Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior, is designed for therapists to use with parents of children with ASD and challenging behaviors, such as tantrums, noncompliance, and aggression. Based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and developed over more than a decade of research, the intervention consists of 11 core sessions as well as supplemental sessions, a home visit, and follow-up visits. Each session includes a therapist script, activity sheets, parent handouts, and checklists. Video vignettes are available online to illustrate concepts. The treatment manual is designed to be used in conjunction with the companion Workbook for parents. Each session is delivered individually in weekly outpatient visits. Homework assignments between sessions focus on implementing behavior change strategies collaboratively chosen by the therapist and parent.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves difficulties in social interaction and communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. Approximately half of children with ASD also exhibit disruptive behaviors such as tantrums and aggression, which can be stressful for the child and family. Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior is an 11-session intervention for parents who wish to learn how to reduce disruptive behaviors and increase adaptive skills in their children with ASD. Each session introduces effective behavior change strategies and includes easy-to-use worksheets, checklists, and take-home activities to help parents apply what they have learned. By participating in this intervention with a trained therapist, parents can help their children overcome behavior problems, promoting happier kids and families.

The Sleep Parent Training (SLePT) Program was developed for young children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring sleep disturbances and tested in clinical trials. The manual is based on behavioral analytic principles and covers approaches to address bedtime challenges, delayed sleep onset, night wakings, sleep association problems, and early morning wakings. The manualized intervention includes a therapist guide and an accompnying parent workbook. The therapist guide is designed to provide session by session guidance and to lead therapists from various backgrounds to help parents to improve their child's sleep concerns. The five session intervention covers an overview of the causes of sleep disturbances in autistic children as well as strategies to address the common behavioral sleep problems experienced by autistic children. This therapist guide includes therapist scripts, activity sheets, and treatment fidelity checklists. It also includes case examples, data collection forms, and a sleep behavior plan. The intervention is intended to be delivered individually, but may be delivered in-person or virtually, and ideas for virtual delivery are included. While manualized, the intervention is designed to allow for personalized tailoring based on the child's age and skills and parent preferences.

The Sleep Parent Training (SLePT) Program was developed for young children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring sleep disturbances and tested in clinical trials. The manual is based on behavioral analytic principles and covers approaches to address bedtime challenges, delayed sleep onset, night wakings, sleep association problems, and early morning wakings. The manualized intervention includes a therapist guide and a parent workbook. While manualized, the intervention is designed to allow for personalized tailoring based on the child's age and skills and parent preferences. This Workbook moves through the program session by session, and includes helpful activity sheets, handouts and forms, designed to track progress. Using the exercises therapists and parents can learn about the causes of sleep disturbances and strategies to address common behavioral sleep problems experienced by autistic children, allowing them to improve their child's sleep.