“For any family who may be facing a persistent behavior problem that they don’t know how to handle,...I highly recommend this book.” — Catherine Maurice, Author of Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph over Autism
“Wow, Jill Dardig and Bill Heward have crafted a terrific resource for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone else who spends time with kids.” — Janet S. Twyman, Founder, blast (A Learning Sciences Company)
When a child is struggling with a behavior challenge, a contract can be an effective solution.
Teach your child how contracts work by reading beautifully illustrated stories together.
Learn how to create and implement family contracts in four straightforward steps.
“If you are a parent, read this book today. An earlier version of this book remains in print in 10 languages. While the examples in Let’s Make a Contract are thoroughly modernized, the principles are the same that have helped parents succeed for over 45 years.”
- Bridget A. Taylor, PsyD., BCBA-D,
Co-founder and CEO of Alpine Learning Group
"This book touches my heart. With tenderness and respect, Drs. Dardig and Heward invite families to embark on a journey of intentional and shared growth. They provide important and practical guidance to help parents and children navigate possible actions, expectations, and consequences. Above all, they model the clarity, affection, and responsibility that characterizes the best of behavior change programs."
- Shahla Ala’i-Rosales, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Family Harmony Researcher, University of North Texas
“If 30 years of working with children and families have taught me anything, it’s that parents who respect their children’s views and use their input, have happier families. There are many ways to achieve this and one of the most powerful and efficient is the behavioral contract. For a clear, easy to understand (and implement) guide, look no further than this delightful book by two universally respected veterans of the child and family field.”
- Patrick C. Friman, Ph.D., ABPP, Vice President of Behavioral Health, Boys Town
"Let’s Make a Contract is a thorough and engaging guide for helping any family turn a negative behavioral situation into a positive one through contracting. This book clearly outlines steps for developing effective contracts and gives practical examples to identify potential pitfalls, so that the contract can be successfully implemented. Lots of practical examples, illustrations, and sample contracts make what could be a complex topic easy to read and follow."
- Lynn Kern Koegel, Ph.D., Professor, Stanford School of Medicine
Recipient, Children’s Television Workshop Sesame Street Award
"Let’s Make a Contract absolutely inspired me. The day after reading it, I made some changes in my parenting approach and had a wonderful day with my nonverbal son, following a handful of really tough days. The concepts are explained in plain language, and the scenarios are so relatable for any parent. I highly recommend this book for parents of neurodiverse and neurotypical kids."
- Lorri Unumb, CEO, Council of Autism Service Providers
"Let’s Make a Contract is an example of the best that the science of behavior has to offer families. The authors provide practical and positive guidance to parents and caregivers on what to do when a child is struggling with behavior. The variety of family dynamics and issues that the book covers provide an abundance of relevant—and realistic—information."
- Fernando Armendariz, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Director, FABAS
"In a captivating story-telling style, Jill Dardig and Bill Heward have masterfully crafted practical guidelines for developing and implementing behavioral contracts. In their hands, this technique—which is solidly grounded on scientific principles—becomes a fun learning opportunity for any family member to succeed at changing a behavior or attaining a personal goal."
- Amiris Dipuglia, MD, BCBA, Educational/Parent Consultant,
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
"In Let’s Make a Contract, Jill Dardig and Bill Heward do an amazing job of presenting a step-by-step approach to help parents and children improve their lives through contracts. The stories and sample forms make it easy for parents (and professionals) to create and adapt contracts for children of any age or ability level."
- Mary Lynch Barbera, Ph.D., RN, BCBA-D,
Best-Selling Author, Turn Autism Around
"As a special education teacher and a parent of a child with a disability, I have found that managing behaviors in children and young adults is possible with the right tools. Let’s Make a Contract is in that must-have category."
- Danielle M. Kovach, Ed.D.,
President, Council for Exceptional Children
"In this fine book, there is a consistent invitation to see the world through the eyes of each family member, and by doing so, develop a greater understanding of each other and create a plan to improve the life of the family as a whole."
- Darnell Lattal, Ph.D., CEO ABA Technologies
"I wholeheartedly recommend this much-needed book that showcases the journey of families using contracts to address a diverse array of behaviors. Well-illustrated and narrated, the authors’ insights, experiences, and compassion shine through. This clever book will be helpful to both parents and professionals alike."
- David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Executive Director,
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
"Practical and without unnecessary jargon, Let’s Make a Contract focuses on building positive relationships between children and their parents. The clarity of the writing and the use of common examples make this book a wonderful resource. I highly recommend this book to parents, educators, and anyone who wants to improve the quality of relationships among family members."
- Robert K. Ross, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LABA, Chief Clinical Officer,
Beacon ABA Services of Massachusetts and Connecticut
"Wow, Jill Dardig and Bill Heward have crafted a terrific resource for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone else who spends time with kids. Through humorous, realistic vignettes, Let’s Make a Contract shares a time-tested strategy—contracting—for promoting positive behavior, shared responsibility, and a bit of self-management. Whether it be academic behaviors, household chores, or personal goals, Let’s Make a Contract is bound to get you and your kids excited about getting things done."
- Janet S. Twyman, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA
Founder, blast (A Learning Sciences Company)
Jill is Professor Emerita of Education at Ohio Dominican University where she trained special education teachers for 30 years.
Bill is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education and Human Ecology at Ohio State University where he taught special education and applied behavior analysis.