Because Our Kids Are Worth It: A Parent's Perspective on
Behavioral Interventions at Home and School
Mary Beth Walsh,
Ph.D., Caldwell College
Parents play a critical role in all behavioral interventions for
children with autism. From getting the child up and dressed each
morning to putting the child to bed at night, parents spend a
tremendous amount of time with their children and are presented
with countless opportunities to reinforce (or undermine) their
children's learning and skill acquisition throughout each and every
day. It is in the best interest of children with autism for their
parents to know the contours of the science of applied behavior
analysis so that their children can make all possible progress.
Partnering successfully with teachers and behavior analysts
requires parents to acquire some new skills, see beyond certain
myths, commitment themselves to learning how to measure progress,
and learn to work effectively with various professionals and
educational systems. Teachers and behavior analysts can be more
effective and will see better data if they learn how to work with
parents. Children with autism are capable of so much more than was
once thought - we parents have a unique role to play in bringing
out their individual potential.
Mary Beth Walsh is the mother of two children, a 9 year old who
has autism, and a 13 year old, who does not. She is on the Board of
Directors of The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)
and is currently serving a one year term as the Consumer
Representative on the Board of the New Jersey Association for
Behavior Analysis. She has presented on strategies for successfully
including individuals with autism in faith communities at
conferences sponsored by both the New Jersey Center for Outreach
and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC) and NJABA. Working
with the Autism and Faith Task Force of the Elizabeth M. Boggs
Center on Developmental Disabilities, she is co-editor of a
resource booklet for inclusion of individuals with autism in
communities of faith. She holds a doctorate in theology and ethics
from Union Theological Seminary in NYC, teaches in the Master of
Arts Program in Pastoral Ministry at Caldwell College, works as a
Pastoral Associate at St. Joseph's Church in Maplewood, New Jersey,
and co-chairs the Special Education Parent Teacher Organization in
her town.