Chapter 24 - Chapter Chapter 29 Summary and Analysis

In May in Chapter 24, the family receives another visit from the Lovaas clinic, but Catherine disagrees with some of his techniques. Marc notes they need to adapt every program to suit their daughter, and Catherine agrees. She points out there are three things about behavioral modification one should know. First, all therapists vary. Secondly, the range of recovery from behavioral therapy ranges drastically from one person to the next. Third, behavior modification is a powerful tool, and one that can harm as well as heal. Bridget herself recalls a session she watched where a therapist verbally yelled at the child as motive for behaviors. Catherine notes, however, sometimes aversives are needed, as in the case of self-harming behaviors. In one case, she recalls a slap on the thigh stopped head hitting behaviors in one child...