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Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism
This is the first book of its kind that calls attention to an important fact: parents can make a tremendous impact on their child through behavioral practices taught at home. Dr. Barbera has created a tool kit that any parent can use to help remediate--and in some cases eliminate-some symptoms of autism and other developmental delays in young children, even in as little as 15 minutes a day.
Developmental delays and signs of autism usually show up before 18 months of age, yet children are often not diagnosed until they are 4 or 5 years old. In Turn Autism Around, Dr. Mary Barbera explains why parents can't afford to worry and wait in long lines for evaluations and treatment while not knowing how to help their children. She empowers parents, caregivers, and early intervention professionals to regain hope and take back control with simple strategies to dramatically improve outcomes for their children.
Dr. Barbera has created a new approach to teaching kids with developmental delays that uses the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) married with a positive, child-friendly methodology that any parent can use--whether or not their child has delays--to learn to teach communication skills, socialization strategies, as well as tackle sleep, eating, potty training, and behavior challenges in a positive, effective, and lasting way.
Turn Autism Around is the first book of its kind that calls attention to an important fact: parents can make a tremendous impact on their child's development through behavioral practices taught at home, even in as little as 15 minutes a day. Her program shows these autism and developmental delays can be remediated, and in some cases, delays can be caught up altogether, if parents intervene while the child is young.
This book is for parents of young children aged one-to-five years who are passionate about helping their child as well as learning how they can change the trajectory of their child's and family's life.
Developmental delays and signs of autism usually show up before 18 months of age, yet children are often not diagnosed until they are 4 or 5 years old. In Turn Autism Around, Dr. Mary Barbera explains why parents can't afford to worry and wait in long lines for evaluations and treatment while not knowing how to help their children. She empowers parents, caregivers, and early intervention professionals to regain hope and take back control with simple strategies to dramatically improve outcomes for their children.
Dr. Barbera has created a new approach to teaching kids with developmental delays that uses the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) married with a positive, child-friendly methodology that any parent can use--whether or not their child has delays--to learn to teach communication skills, socialization strategies, as well as tackle sleep, eating, potty training, and behavior challenges in a positive, effective, and lasting way.
Turn Autism Around is the first book of its kind that calls attention to an important fact: parents can make a tremendous impact on their child's development through behavioral practices taught at home, even in as little as 15 minutes a day. Her program shows these autism and developmental delays can be remediated, and in some cases, delays can be caught up altogether, if parents intervene while the child is young.
This book is for parents of young children aged one-to-five years who are passionate about helping their child as well as learning how they can change the trajectory of their child's and family's life.
264 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2022
239 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 30, 2021
Promotes abuse that has been proven to be detrimental to the emotional wellbeing of children and cause them to develop CPTSD.
This book is nothing but a misinformed, misguided and un-scientific attempt at teaching you how abusing your children will teach them to hide their autism better.
This book is nothing but a misinformed, misguided and un-scientific attempt at teaching you how abusing your children will teach them to hide their autism better.
February 6, 2022
Amazing strategies!! The very first session my son said two words on command for the first time ever!
September 2, 2021
I recently had my son evaluated by a pediatric developmental specialist and he was diagnosed with level 2 autism. At the age of 12 months, he would only wave "bye" sometimes and then after a while it stopped. He also didn't say mommy or daddy. In fact at age 28 months, he rarely calls me. He started speech therapy at about 20 months and that has helped things to progress as he says a bit more words. When he needs something, he comes over to me and pulls me to it. He also sometimes points to things. I'm currently waiting to start ABA therapy. I want to learn as much as I can about autism and how I can help my son which is what led me to this book.
The author, Mary Barbera is a mother of an autistic son and is also a behavioral analyst. She has worked with several children over the years.
In summary, the author advocates for the following method to track your child's progress:
🔖Run an assessment, plan, teach and then evaluate progress.
🔖All forms and assessments are located at Turnautismaround.com, You'll need to provide an email address to get the forms sent to you.
🔖Also, she has some video recordings which provide an introduction to the Turn Autism Around Process
🔖The book provides recommendations for teaching your child how to talk, feeding, potty training and sleep issues
Lots of practical tips are provided. Here's an example that I plan on working on
🔖Table time activities: Special time with your child to teach him specific concepts. For example, new words. She suggests a shoebox activity using flash cards, using Mr. Potato Head, pictures, toys and books.
This was a good read as an introduction. I read the whole book and then decided on a few easy things that I can start working on at home.
I took good notes with page numbers cause I will need to reread or refer back to them. Overall, a workbook with just the action items would be useful. Perhaps the author already has this on her website.
As with all things, remember to take the ideas and suggestions that are relevant for you and your child. Also, remember to be flexible in your implementation. Start with the easiest things and take it from there. I wish you the very best.
The author, Mary Barbera is a mother of an autistic son and is also a behavioral analyst. She has worked with several children over the years.
In summary, the author advocates for the following method to track your child's progress:
🔖Run an assessment, plan, teach and then evaluate progress.
🔖All forms and assessments are located at Turnautismaround.com, You'll need to provide an email address to get the forms sent to you.
🔖Also, she has some video recordings which provide an introduction to the Turn Autism Around Process
🔖The book provides recommendations for teaching your child how to talk, feeding, potty training and sleep issues
Lots of practical tips are provided. Here's an example that I plan on working on
🔖Table time activities: Special time with your child to teach him specific concepts. For example, new words. She suggests a shoebox activity using flash cards, using Mr. Potato Head, pictures, toys and books.
This was a good read as an introduction. I read the whole book and then decided on a few easy things that I can start working on at home.
I took good notes with page numbers cause I will need to reread or refer back to them. Overall, a workbook with just the action items would be useful. Perhaps the author already has this on her website.
As with all things, remember to take the ideas and suggestions that are relevant for you and your child. Also, remember to be flexible in your implementation. Start with the easiest things and take it from there. I wish you the very best.
March 14, 2024
Based on the controversial reviews surrounding this book, I felt the need to leave my review even if only one person ever reads it.
So let's start with my overall thoughts. I felt this book was helpful and informative for parents of kids under 5 who are suspecting autism in their child. The book definitely got repetitive at times (but probably to really nail down the concepts of ABA). It addresses issues that are most commonly faced during this period of development - communication, potty training, picky eating, etc. I liked the book but feel a little overwhelmed after reading it. I wish it had more info on what to look for in the therapies/therapists. My son is currently in occupational and speech therapy and is awaiting an official diagnosis. I get the feeling his speech therapist is not meeting him at his level and trying to get him to say words that he can tackle later down the line (animals, please and thank you) rather than words he should be saying right now (mama, dada, milk, food). The author makes the claim that no therapy is actually better than bad therapy because it can cause setbacks. Help me to better determine what's good vs bad.
Now onto my opinion regarding the thoughts that this book and ABA therapy are abusive. Let me start off by saying I am a licensed mental health counselor in my state. In NO way does this book ever push anything that is abusive or traumatic. I don't doubt other people's experiences in childhood, and I am sorry that ABA was punitive and abusive to those people. However, this book is just the basics of rewarding behaviors we want to increase in our child - talking, using the potty, sleeping in own bed, etc. This book never goes over punishing a child or using improper means to decrease unwanted behaviors. My son is 3 and has never called me mom. If the tips in this book help us to get to the point of him identifying me and my husband as mom and dad, I will consider it a success. Being able to communicate better will reduce tantrums and the child's frustration. Being potty trained will give the child a sense of accomplishment and better self-esteem. Does any of that sound abusive?
Make it a point to be involved in your child's different therapies. Be in the room with your child while they meet with various therapists to make sure everything is above board.
If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave a comment. I am an LPCC, not a BCBA. My expertise would not be in ABA, but rather depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health diagnoses.
So let's start with my overall thoughts. I felt this book was helpful and informative for parents of kids under 5 who are suspecting autism in their child. The book definitely got repetitive at times (but probably to really nail down the concepts of ABA). It addresses issues that are most commonly faced during this period of development - communication, potty training, picky eating, etc. I liked the book but feel a little overwhelmed after reading it. I wish it had more info on what to look for in the therapies/therapists. My son is currently in occupational and speech therapy and is awaiting an official diagnosis. I get the feeling his speech therapist is not meeting him at his level and trying to get him to say words that he can tackle later down the line (animals, please and thank you) rather than words he should be saying right now (mama, dada, milk, food). The author makes the claim that no therapy is actually better than bad therapy because it can cause setbacks. Help me to better determine what's good vs bad.
Now onto my opinion regarding the thoughts that this book and ABA therapy are abusive. Let me start off by saying I am a licensed mental health counselor in my state. In NO way does this book ever push anything that is abusive or traumatic. I don't doubt other people's experiences in childhood, and I am sorry that ABA was punitive and abusive to those people. However, this book is just the basics of rewarding behaviors we want to increase in our child - talking, using the potty, sleeping in own bed, etc. This book never goes over punishing a child or using improper means to decrease unwanted behaviors. My son is 3 and has never called me mom. If the tips in this book help us to get to the point of him identifying me and my husband as mom and dad, I will consider it a success. Being able to communicate better will reduce tantrums and the child's frustration. Being potty trained will give the child a sense of accomplishment and better self-esteem. Does any of that sound abusive?
Make it a point to be involved in your child's different therapies. Be in the room with your child while they meet with various therapists to make sure everything is above board.
If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave a comment. I am an LPCC, not a BCBA. My expertise would not be in ABA, but rather depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health diagnoses.
April 28, 2022
I'm very thankful for this book. I've had concerns about Dante's delays for a while and this book helped me to see some of the things I had been missing (or perhaps denying?). I think I will likely refer back to it many times over the next several years.
I appreciated the tools that her website provides as part of the book resources - assessments, tracking sheets, etc. - and also the ability to start doing something for my son right away while I navigate the challenging process of getting an actual diagnosis and treatment. I've already begun using the Table Time methods she teaches and seeing improvements. Definitely not enough to replace professionals, but a good start.
It's very easy to read and doesn't use language that will lose someone who is not a medical professional. There are lots of examples to help you. I know that in the early pages I found myself in tears a few times because I was finally seeing what I was trying to describe and knowing that others had experienced it as well.
Worth the time for sure!
I appreciated the tools that her website provides as part of the book resources - assessments, tracking sheets, etc. - and also the ability to start doing something for my son right away while I navigate the challenging process of getting an actual diagnosis and treatment. I've already begun using the Table Time methods she teaches and seeing improvements. Definitely not enough to replace professionals, but a good start.
It's very easy to read and doesn't use language that will lose someone who is not a medical professional. There are lots of examples to help you. I know that in the early pages I found myself in tears a few times because I was finally seeing what I was trying to describe and knowing that others had experienced it as well.
Worth the time for sure!
October 24, 2022
This books is terrible. It promotes behavioural strategies which are not supported by research to be effective in helping motivate children or getting them excited to learn. Reinforcers/rewards/praise make children reliant on those around them to tell them what to do and manipulate them into behaving “correctly”. This books have very few references and even fewer of them are academic articles.
Check out Alfie Kohn’s Punished by Rewards for a thorough review of the research on behaviourism.
Check out Alfie Kohn’s Punished by Rewards for a thorough review of the research on behaviourism.
May 28, 2021
I was really excited for this after how good her first book is... but there's really no point in reading both. Good, valuable information that's updated from her first book, but nothing entirely new. Some of the resources are good though.
May 26, 2021
Positive reinforcements
Loved the book for my son with development delays. Using some of the techniques I have been able to get first word from my 20 month old “hat”.
Loved the book for my son with development delays. Using some of the techniques I have been able to get first word from my 20 month old “hat”.
June 24, 2021
Mary starts by saying that if your child has a symptom, there is no benefit in splitting the difference and diagnose what the child "exactly" has. The book is pragmatic in approach. It just teaches you how to help your child in his developmental journey, if the child is not learning socially.
The tools are simple, and seemingly effective. I will update on the progress I see in one of the kids I know. I must mention that the book is focused on early age toddlers (mostly <5 years or even <3 years).
It gives you hope that you can contribute something, as opposed to waiting for a couple of hours of sessions every week or two. That is a very powerful thing IMO.
The tools are simple, and seemingly effective. I will update on the progress I see in one of the kids I know. I must mention that the book is focused on early age toddlers (mostly <5 years or even <3 years).
It gives you hope that you can contribute something, as opposed to waiting for a couple of hours of sessions every week or two. That is a very powerful thing IMO.
September 7, 2021
Regardless of whether or not you think your kid might have autism, this book is an excellent resource for anyone who has experienced the crazy long waitlist to get an appointment with a developmental pediatrician or any child-development professional.
August 4, 2021
She was a bit preachy at times, and I thought some of her suggestions warmers extreme. However, it was nice to have a framework for my family as we move forward.
August 3, 2022
So Informative
Very good ideas and resources in this book. This book can help families with a family member anywhere on the ASD spectrum.
Very good ideas and resources in this book. This book can help families with a family member anywhere on the ASD spectrum.
August 29, 2025
It’s fine. Not great. Not really what it claims to be. This might be great if you’re just starting to see signs of autism in your very young child (under 18 months). After that, you’ll probably just find it incredibly stressful and shallow in its content. There’s more useful stuff on the Internet for free.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. As soon as you start to suspect autism/see symptoms in your child such as not responding to their name, not looking where you point or then pointing at desired things, losing words or not speaking much at all, etc. start working on getting them an official diagnosis.
2. It’ll take a maddening amount of time to get your child evaluated and then treated, so start where you can. Work on skills such as asking for food or drink and don’t stop working on them even after they have shown they can do it. They’ll likely lose those skills if they are autistic. So consistency is key.
3. Get them into ABA therapy as soon as you possibly can. It could mean the difference between an autistic child with skills almost indistinguishable from their peers and an autistic child who profoundly struggles. ABA has been around since the 60s and is astoundingly successful.
4. Track simple goals so that you can see your child’s progress and success overtime, which will help you to stay motivated and positive.
5. When practicing words, stick with one word at a time when possible and say it slowly and clearly 3 times.
6. Don’t overuse your child’s name until you’re fully ready to put the time into training them to respond.
7. Don’t buy the author’s course. It’s not worth even what the book is, so save yourself $500.
8. You’re probably doing better than you think you are.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. As soon as you start to suspect autism/see symptoms in your child such as not responding to their name, not looking where you point or then pointing at desired things, losing words or not speaking much at all, etc. start working on getting them an official diagnosis.
2. It’ll take a maddening amount of time to get your child evaluated and then treated, so start where you can. Work on skills such as asking for food or drink and don’t stop working on them even after they have shown they can do it. They’ll likely lose those skills if they are autistic. So consistency is key.
3. Get them into ABA therapy as soon as you possibly can. It could mean the difference between an autistic child with skills almost indistinguishable from their peers and an autistic child who profoundly struggles. ABA has been around since the 60s and is astoundingly successful.
4. Track simple goals so that you can see your child’s progress and success overtime, which will help you to stay motivated and positive.
5. When practicing words, stick with one word at a time when possible and say it slowly and clearly 3 times.
6. Don’t overuse your child’s name until you’re fully ready to put the time into training them to respond.
7. Don’t buy the author’s course. It’s not worth even what the book is, so save yourself $500.
8. You’re probably doing better than you think you are.
April 16, 2024
3.5 Stars-- The information is helpful, but if your child isn't struggling intensely, some of information isn't applicable.
Some of the language is questionable (high-functioning, low-functioning, Aspergers) in terms of acceptability or up-to-date use.
I wasn't sure if the message was to employ therapy as soon as possible when addressing signs of Autism, or to literally "reverse Autism", which isn't possible. Some of the content seemed to suggest that Autism was temporary. The wording seemed insensitive and gave false hope/inaccurate information to uninformed parents.
Some of the language is questionable (high-functioning, low-functioning, Aspergers) in terms of acceptability or up-to-date use.
I wasn't sure if the message was to employ therapy as soon as possible when addressing signs of Autism, or to literally "reverse Autism", which isn't possible. Some of the content seemed to suggest that Autism was temporary. The wording seemed insensitive and gave false hope/inaccurate information to uninformed parents.
September 12, 2024
I bought this book as my niece has autism and has been diagnosed with high functioning, level 2 ASD. While I did take new information away from this book, I will say it is better suited for parents of young children. My niece is seven and to be honest, we didn't know she had autism until she was diagnosed at 5. This would have been helpful then as she met everything Mary Lynch Barbera talked about.
November 20, 2024
Very practical steps to helping your child move forward, regardless of diagnosis or lack of one. Written by the mom of a son with autism, nurse, and now BCBA, Barbera helps parents through the process of assessing needs, planning interventions, teaching strategies and skills, and assessing and celebrating progress. She writes in a very "lay person" friendly manner and clearly cares that teaching is done in a child-friendly way.
February 21, 2023
Greater starter book if you’re unfamiliar with developmental milestones and markers for autism diagnosis. This would have been helpful for me a few years ago when I was trying to figure out if my child had autism while we were waiting to be seen by the developmental pediatrician. It has some solid intervention ideas that were also utilized by early intervention services with my son.
November 3, 2024
This book offers a dangerous viewpoint on autism and promotes abusive strategies for ‘eradicating’ it from people who have it. It makes me really sad that books like this are in print and that people will be exposed to these extremely harmful idealogies. There are so many wonderful books on autism out there, avoid this one like the plague.
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September 24, 2025This book has some good tools for parents who have time, resources, and motivation to use them. The tone is very intense, which may work well for some people but discourage or put off others. This may be a good rec for a family with resources who can't access professional help, but otherwise probably not.
November 4, 2022
I'm a little biased since I'm the author but this is my best work (so far)! I also have the Turn Autism Around podcast, video blogs, and online courses. Follow me everywhere on social media too -- I love getting feedback about my book!
September 16, 2023
Not very useful if your child is severely autistic, non-verbal, and also has an intellectual disability. As with many of these types of books, it presumes your child can be easily taught and can understand you. Possibly useful for parents of children that are mildly autistic.
November 11, 2024
This book provided me with step-by-step guidance that I desperately needed when my first daughter was diagnosed with autism at 23 months. Prior to reading, I had no earthly idea how to help my child during the pandemic. I'm so grateful for Dr. Berbera's work!
January 28, 2025
Can’t praise this book enough
If you have any concerns about your child’s development it is a must read, and if you don’t have any concerns, you still should. It has some amazingly down to earth practical advice for every parent.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development it is a must read, and if you don’t have any concerns, you still should. It has some amazingly down to earth practical advice for every parent.
July 11, 2022
A complete A to Z guide of how to practice ABA therapy with ASD children at home.
June 15, 2023
If you don’t have a child and thought you could read this without a child, think again. I now have a pretend daughter named Lilith. She keeps crying what do I do?
July 30, 2024
Very informative but overwhelming. I listened to the audio version but have ordered the hard copy to keep and refer back to when I need more education in an area that I feel will help my grandson.
November 11, 2024
Such a great resource for parents and professionals. Gives real, actionable steps that can be used immediately. Can’t recommend this book enough.
January 26, 2025
This was a great and helpful book. It just wasn’t the type of information I was needing.
June 3, 2025
I must say after reading „the verbal behavior approach“ this book was a little unnecessary. If you’re new to autism start with this book👍
July 14, 2025
Will definitely buy a copy and reread it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews