Humanistic theory promotes empowerment, self-actualization, self-awareness and self-determination.  It offers a strengths-based approach towards working with children with autism and ADD. Instead of focusing on remedial deficits, it focuses on building and developing individuals’ strengths. 

It is also an effective approach to work with parents who are having difficulties with acceptance or following through on implementing behavioral strategies. By focusing on the here and now, Eric can help parents identify and work through their feelings of guilt, remorse, disappointment and fear of rejection often associated with tantrums and initial behavioral outbursts seen when parents begin to implement new strategies. 

It is sometimes essential to work through these feelings with parents before beginning parent coaching.