Educate Toward Recovery: Turning the Tables on Autism (review)

In Educate Toward Recovery: Turning the Tables on Autism, Robert Schramm provides a manual for parents on the Verbal Behavior (VB) approach to applied behavior analysis (ABA). Mr. Schramm, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who also holds a Master of Education degree in Special Education, leads a team of behavior consultants at Knospe-ABA, an institute in Germany which provides consultation and educational services to families of children with autism. The author describes his book as an introduction to ABA and VB "for parents, teachers, and therapists of children with autism who are facing important issues without formal training" (p.4), and stresses that his work is a practical guide for parents.

The book begins with an Introduction which includes Mr. Schramm's purpose for writing as well as a glossary of ABA and VB terms in "Plain English" (pp. 10-11). Here, ABA is defined as "[a] scientifically validated approach to teaching" (p.10) and Verbal Behavior is defined as "[a]ny behavior that is specifically reinforced by another person" (p. 12). A professional might initially question whether these "Plain English" definitions and their description in the Introduction offer the reader realistic and thorough perceptions of ABA and VB. For example, Mr. Schramm first describes ABA as "a natural, relationship building, holistic learning program" (p.8), rather than as a science of human behavior; and the quoted definition of VB might be considered overly simplistic when contrasted with that set forth by Skinner, which focuses on mediation of another person's behavior by a listener, rather than on mere reinforcement.¹ Nevertheless, the author further develops these definitions with a discussion of the evidence-based principles behind VB and ABA in later chapters including Chapter 9, where he also emphasizes the importance of a firm understanding of these interventions and recommends further reading. Mr. Schramm also explains that his book is based upon his views of and experiences with ABA and VB, and he accurately notes that he has included a number of real-life examples throughout the text in order to clarify concepts and provide practical guidance on implementing this approach. Mr. Schramm tackles immediately the controversial subject of "recovery" from autism² and the reason for the title of this work:

"Recovery" is the term for a child who was once labeled as autistic by the medical community and is now no longer deemed autistic because of a lack of those same diagnosable behaviors. This does not mean that this child is somehow a better or more complete person than he was before the label was removed. It also does not mean that the cause of the autism has been mysteriously eradicated. It merely means that as a team of caring supporters, we have found a way to educate this child to the point that the doctors have stopped calling him names.

(p. 6)

In the Introduction and throughout his book, the author emphasizes the pivotal role of the parent in helping his or her child with autism learn and function appropriately in a world of social interaction, stating that "[a] good ABA/VB program is designed to teach your child the reasons behind the give and take that is so important in connecting with the social world" (p. 8). He also observes that ABA is "evidence-based teaching that has been proven scientifically to be effective" (p. 8) and has been recommended by the United States Surgeon General.

In Chapter 1, "The Road to a Better Way," Mr. Schramm briefly describes his experience working with young children with disabilities. He provides an overview of the principles of ABA and the VB approach, opining that VB has become the "autism therapy of choice in the United States" (p. 19). Mr. Schramm does not cite specific authority for this proposition but makes general statements that more children with autism are making progress through these approaches and suggests that, for most children with autism, ABA and VB together offer...