Understanding CPS vs. PMT: Two Approaches for Parenting 2E Kids

Tuesday, January 21, 2025. This is for David & Amy.

Parenting an autistic twice-exceptional child is both a unique challenge and a profound opportunity.

Every child, including those on the autism spectrum, brings their own personality, strengths, and areas where they need support.

When behavioral challenges arise, it can be overwhelming to determine the best approach.

Two evidence-based parenting models often recommended are CPS (Collaborative & Proactive Solutions) and PMT (Parent Management Training).

Each offers distinct methods and philosophies, and understanding them both can help parents choose—or blend—what works best for their family.

What is the CPS Model?

Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) was developed by Dr. Ross Greene, a clinical psychologist known for his books, The Explosive Child and Raising Human Beings. The CPS model is rooted in the belief that challenging behaviors stem from lagging skills and unsolved problems, not defiance or manipulation.

Key Principles of CPS

• Kids Do Well If They Can: Behaviors like meltdowns or refusal often arise because the child lacks certain cognitive or emotional skills.

• Focus On The Why: Instead of reacting to behaviors, CPS encourages parents to understand the unmet needs or skills deficits driving them.

• Collaboration Is Key: Rather than enforcing compliance, parents and children work together to solve problems in a way that meets everyone’s needs.

How CPS Works

CPS uses a structured, three-step process:

1. Empathy Step: Begin by understanding your child’s perspective. For example, if your child resists transitioning from screen time, you might say, “I notice it’s hard for you to stop playing when it’s time for dinner. What’s up?”

2. Define the Problem Step: Clearly state your concern without blame. “Dinner is ready, and I want us to eat together while the food is still warm.”

3. Invitation Step: Collaborate to find a solution that works for both. “What can we do to make stopping easier for you?”

Why CPS Works for Autistic Kids

• Honors their perspective: Many 2E kids struggle with sensory sensitivities, communication, and emotional regulation. CPS creates a safe space to express their needs.

• Builds skills: Problem-solving teaches flexibility, frustration tolerance, and communication—skills essential for navigating the world.

• Reduces power struggles: Collaboration shifts the dynamic from “parent vs. child” to “parent and child as a team.”

Research Supporting CPS

Studies show CPS can improve parent-child relationships and reduce behavioral challenges in children, including those with autism (Greene et al., 2016). Its focus on skill-building makes it particularly effective for long-term emotional and social development.

What is the PMT Model?

Parent Management Training (PMT) is another widely used approach, rooted in behavioral psychology. PMT focuses on teaching parents how to modify their child’s behavior through reinforcement and consequences.

Key Principles of PMT

• Behavior Is Learned: Challenging behaviors are not innate; they develop over time through reinforcement.

• Parents Shape Behavior: By responding consistently, parents can encourage positive behaviors and reduce problematic ones.

• Clarity And Consistency: Clear expectations and predictable consequences help children feel secure.

• How PMT Works

PMT involves a set of structured strategies:

1. Positive Reinforcement: Reward desirable behaviors immediately to encourage repetition. For instance, praise your child for using their words instead of hitting to express frustration.

2. Behavioral Consequences: Use consistent, non-punitive consequences for undesirable behaviors, such as time-outs or removing a privilege.

3. Behavior Tracking: Monitor patterns to identify triggers and track progress. A chart or log can help parents stay consistent.

4. Parent Training: Parents learn to use techniques effectively and avoid common pitfalls, like reinforcing negative behavior unintentionally.

Why PMT Works for Autistic Kids

• Structured and predictable: Many autistic children thrive on routines and clear expectations, making PMT’s consistency appealing.

• Immediate feedback: Positive reinforcement helps children connect their actions to outcomes, reinforcing desired behaviors.

• Addresses safety concerns: PMT can be effective for reducing behaviors like aggression or self-injury, which may pose immediate risks.

Research Supporting PMT

Research has shown PMT to be highly effective in reducing disruptive behaviors and improving compliance in children with autism (Eyberg et al., 2008). Its clear, step-by-step approach makes it accessible to parents and caregivers.

Choosing the Right Approach for Your Family

Both CPS and PMT offer valuable tools for parenting autistic kids. The choice often depends on your child’s specific needs:

• Consider CPS if your child struggles with emotional regulation, sensory sensitivities, or communication challenges. CPS fosters a collaborative, trust-based relationship while building long-term skills.

• Consider PMT if your child’s behavior poses immediate risks or you need clear strategies for managing specific behaviors. PMT provides structure and consistency, helping reduce challenging behaviors effectively.

Many families find that a hybrid approach works best. For example:

• Use PMT strategies for immediate safety concerns, like aggression.

• Apply CPS to address underlying issues, such as sensory overload or frustration.

Applying PMT and CPS to Parenting Autistic Children: A Review of Research

Parent Management Training (PMT):

Research supports the application of Parent Management Training (PMT) in enhancing the parent-child relationship and parental self-efficacy among families of autistic children.

For example, a study published in European Psychiatry found significant improvements in parental self-efficacy and the parent-child relationship when PMT was utilized with mothers of autistic children (Shakerian et al., 2021).

The findings highlight PMT’s potential as an effective intervention for addressing behavioral and relational challenges in these families.

Furthermore, the Parent Management Training Institute (PMTI) reports that PMT has demonstrated promising results in managing behavioral difficulties associated with autism, making it a practical tool for families seeking structured behavioral interventions (Parent Management Training Institute, 2023).

Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS):

Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) has also been identified as a beneficial approach for families of autistic children.

Think:Kids, an initiative focused on CPS, highlights that CPS parent classes provide an economical and effective means of addressing challenging behavior.

Parents who participated in CPS-based training reported significant improvements in their child’s behavior, with these changes maintained for at least six months post-intervention (Think:Kids, 2020).

Additionally, Ollendick et al. (2015) conducted a comparative study that demonstrated how CPS enables parents and children to collaboratively address behavioral challenges proactively.

This approach contrasts with traditional PMT by focusing on problem-solving and skill-building rather than solely managing behavior (Ollendick et al., 2015).

These findings suggest that both PMT and CPS are effective parenting strategies for autistic children, offering unique approaches to improve behavioral outcomes and strengthen parent-child relationships.

Final Thoughts

Parenting is never one-size-fits-all, and that’s especially true for autistic children.

By learning about the CPS and PMT models, parents can choose strategies that align with their child’s needs and their family’s values.

Whether through collaboration or structure, what matters most is approaching your 2E child with empathy, patience, and a commitment to helping them thrive.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Eyberg, S. M., Nelson, M. M., & Boggs, S. R. (2008). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with disruptive behavior. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 37(1), 215-237. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374410701820117

Greene, R. W., Ablon, J. S., & Martin, A. (2016). Innovations: Child psychiatry: Collaborative problem solving: An evidence-based approach to implementation and practice. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 25(2), 243-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2015.12.005

Parent Management Training Institute. (2023). Research on PMT. Retrieved from https://parentmanagementtraininginstitute.com

Shakerian, A., Etemadi, A., & Gharraee, B. (2021). Effectiveness of parent management training in parent-child relationship and parental self-efficacy of mothers with autistic children. European Psychiatry, 24(3), 78–85. Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org

Think:Kids. (2020). Collaborative Problem Solving Parent Class Improves Child Outcomes. Retrieved from https://thinkkids.org