There are 2 kinds of "evidence-based" parenting programs: those that foster internal motivation and those that use only external motivators. Both get great short-term results, but only one has been proven effective long-term for generations. The other is quite popular and claims to be "evidence-based," but 60 years of research show it is both ineffective and even counter-productive!

The most popular of these "behavior management" programs is ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), which claims to be an "evidence-based" program. But a 2020 meta-analysis of 50 years worth of ABA programs shows most don't meet the criteria to qualify as "evidence-based."

What's particularly alarming is that ABA is the number one program recommended for children with autism, even though a 2021 multi-disciplinary study (including ABA practitioners) found can be "abusive" (Shkedy+2, 2021) and one of the world's top trauma experts, Bruce Perry, says it can cause PTSD (2007)! He even wrote a book about it called "The Boy who was Raised Like a Dog."

So it appears that advice consistent with ABA and other tactics that recommend only positive and negative external motivators could actually be dangerous to follow! To learn more about what the researchers themselves are arguing about and how to avoid these dangers and achieve your parenting goals through positive, trauma-preventing practices, attend this webinar.